1Password 4.0 for Mac: TUAW hands-on video review

Whenever I get asked by my friends, family or clients for app recommendations, one of my longstanding go-to answers is 1Password by AgileBits. For those who are unfamiliar with this app, 1Password is a cross-platform, cross-device password and sensitive information management tool. This amazing application just got better with a complete overhaul that goes way deeper than simple cosmetics and frilly feature add-ons.

This newly updated 1Password 4 for the Mac features a totally redesigned interface that brings some parity with its iOS variants and already features compatibility with the upcoming Mavericks release. AgileBits has added the highly sought after feature of multiple password vaults so now you can separate you business and personal password collections. Now you can even make shared password vaults for business partners or family members. If sharing an entire password vault is a bit too much, you can send credentials via secure email or iMessage.

This update introduces 1Password Mini, a menubar applet to gain access to your login passwords, serial numbers and secure information without launching the full 1Password application. You can even dock desired secure information for those sites that continuously ask for your credentials at every other page.

My personal favorite feature is the security audit, as it lets you see how many sites you have with the same password, outdated entries or those with weak passwords.

Other updated features include:

• Favorites for the sites you most often visit

• Enhanced third party app integration

• Updated sync options via Dropbox, iCloud or WiFi

• New browser extensions

• Improved password management and duplicate removal

1Password is available via the Mac App Store at a special celebration sale price of $39.99 saving 20% off the regular price of $49.99. The really good news is all 1Password 3 customers who purchased via the Mac App Store or who purchased via the AgileBits web store in 2013 will be upgraded to 1Password 4 for free. That's pretty amazing.