Every so often, one of my buddies will tell me about some “killer” app that I just have to try. Sometimes they’re right – the app truly is killer and I’m glad they had me try it. Other times I try it and simply feel “meh” about it.

The Past

That’s how I initially felt about 1Password, from Agile Web Solutions. Perhaps it was because I was extremely tired and under a fair amount of stress – I’m not sure – but I simply did not give the app the time and attention it deserved for a truly fair assessment.   

And so it was – 1Password sat on my mac for a long time without really being used much. I knew – in the back of my mind – that it had potential and that I really should dig into it and see what it could do for me. For months, I avoided doing so.   

1Password Touch came out for the iPhone and I dutifully downloaded it, but again it mostly sat unused (though it was synced with my mac, which I tested and thought was neat).   

The Present

Then, about six months ago, I finally got the time and energy to really use 1Password and see what all the talk was about. I can safely say – I am impressed, and can’t imagine not using it. In a job where I often have to keep track of dozens of passwords I no longer have to worry about them – I simply have to remember one password.

I was still not too thrilled with the 1Password Touch – not because I didn’t like the interface or think it was useful, but because it didn’t integrate with Mobile Safari – which I like and want to use. With the release of the 3.0 software for iPhone, and 1Password Touch 2.1, however, there’s now a bookmarklet for Safari that allows for quick copy-paste of passwords into web forms. This allows me to use 1Password to remember my passwords, but still use Mobile Safari. Very slick, and very much worth the $5 on the App Store (introductory price – final price will be ~$14 (still very well worth it).   

The Mac version and the iPhone/iPod Touch version sync over wireless – a process which has been improved over earlier versions of the wireless sync by allowing you to sync even if Bonjour doesn’t work over your wireless network (like at work, for me).   

As it is now – there are only a few things I wish 1Password could do above and beyond what it already does.

1. Work with anything that requires password, not just websites.
2. Work on more platforms (Windows, Linux)
3. Grill me a nice steak and bring me a beer.

The first would be great, but I’m not sure how feasible it is. It’d position 1Password to be an even stronger position possibly, though. The Second I seriously doubt will occur – they seem to be a Mac only developer, and I respect that. Sadly, there just isn’t anything comparable on other systems. Nothing near as cool, anyways. The third is just down right ridiculous. If the awesome folks over at Agile make THAT happen I’ll buy them a new car*.

Other thoughts

It’s not uncommon to find the 1password developers commenting on blog posts, and generally addressing concerns and thanking people for talking about their product. This is clearly a developer who cares not just about making great products, but also about interacting with their users and building a solid community of devoted followers. They seem less out to price-gouge and rip people off, and more out to make an honest living by providing great products. Having not met them personally – I can’t speak to their motives, but, that’s the way they come across. It’s also one of the reasons I have no problem paying for their products and recommending them to my friends as well.

If you use a Mac and don’t use 1Password, you should.

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