We never thought that the PC would trump the game console for usability, but Lenovo (nee IBM) has somehow beat Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony to the punch on this one. Signing in to a Lenovo laptop with embedded biometric technology takes about three seconds and requires a mere finger swipe (I've been using it for a year). It's also a helluva lot of fun, feels natural, and is safe to boot.
Game consoles are supposed to lead the way in consumer-friendly technology implementation. Here's to hoping consoles catch up to PCs in this one small experience point sometime before the decade is out. While we're at it, we should give the Sony and Nintendo product teams in charge of portable gaming devices a little nudge too: we expect something of the sort in the next portable gaming device you produce.
Why? Because there are very frequent scenarios (especially when playing PGR3!) that require users to sign in, sign out, and sign in again. Because parents can't remember the passwords required to lock their kids out of certain content, but never forget their fingerprints. Because it'd be awesome (and a bit scary) to have your friend's console pull up your gamer profile instantly at the simple swipe of a finger. Because it's unsafe to enter your passwords into an Xbox 360 in a room full of people who you may not trust with the password to your Hotmail account. Because of the cool factor. Because anything that helps us avoid that godawful texting interface is a blessing. Because I'd like to make sure that my actual presence is verified prior to every purchase that rings up a charge on my credit card. Period.
[Update: Added final paragraph connecting the dots for those who asked for it.]
