Hive Authentication Services Opens Up So Many Possibilities

Image source: https://docs.hiveauth.com/resources/materials

I first heard about Hive Authentication Services (HAS) when Hive account@jongolson and Hive account@taskmaster4450 had Hive account@arcange on the Cryptomaniacs Podcast to talk about it a couple months ago. You can watch that episode here. At first I didn't understand why it was necessary, but after learning and thinking more about it, I have realized how many new things will be possible. It's just a matter of developers taking advantage of the opportunity.

The Hive Keychain browser extension already works great for logging into websites with Hive and the browser built into the mobile app makes it possible to access those websites when you're away from your computer. However, both of those options are limited to websites and HAS is not. Imagine being able to login with Hive on virtually ANY device that is connected to the internet and has a screen!

How HAS Works For The User

HAS makes it easy to login to Hive applications anywhere while keeping your keys secure in one location. The documentation here explains how simple it is:

1. Type your Hive account username
2. Scan a QR code with your mobile wallet app
3. Approve the application request in your wallet

Hive Keychain (Hive account@keychain) developers are working on implementing it into their mobile apps and that's what I'm looking forward to. Others may create their own authentication apps as well.

Idea 1: Video Games on PC & Consoles

Imagine if Splinterlands or Ragnorak or the next big Hive game wanted to go beyond the browser and release their game on consoles like the Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch. Or maybe an online PC game would want to integrate with Hive.

With HAS, these games are no longer limited to the web browser because it will allow you to use a Hive wallet app on your phone to login and sign transactions.

Idea 2: Smart TV Apps

As 3Speak, SPK Network, Vimm, and other video platforms built on Hive continue to grow, it would be nice to be able to watch from an app on your TV or a connected device like a Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, etc.

Now it's possible to create such an app that lets you login with your Hive account so that all of your subscriptions show up! The app would just have you type in your username with your remote and then show you a QR code on the TV for you to scan.

Idea 3: Crypto ATMs

This one will probably be the last to happen, but has huge potential. A machine like a bitcoin ATM could be programmed to allow login with HAS and then you could withdraw HBD from your Hive account and receive it in cash or vice versa. For the user it would be almost as simple as swiping a debit card to get cash from a regular ATM.

It would even be possible for it to integrate with layer 2 solutions like Hive-Engine. For example, you could sell some of your LEO to receive cash or you could insert cash into the machine to receive DEC that you could then spend on Splinterlands cards.

More Details

If this makes you excited or curious, here are some links to learn more:

• https://docs.hiveauth.com
• @arcange/hive-authentication-services-proposal
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