NFC forum and Bluetooth group release pairing document; AOptix rebrands as Terrain Biometrics, GlobalPlatform publishes ISO framework; MorphoTrust USA opens larger Springfield, Ill facility; DeviceFidelity’s new NFC/wireless charger and SALTO unveils XS4 mini website.

Apple’s iOS 8 won’t be released till the fall but Nok Nok Labs has already tested and integrated its Multi-Factor Authentication Client with the Touch ID API.

Goode Intelligence issued an analyst report forecasting that by 2019 there will be 5.5 billion users of mobile and wearable biometric technology worldwide.

The Biometrics Institute is stressing the need for a better understanding of biometrics to help build trust into the secure technology and address common misconception.

Pontiac, Mich.-based Star EMS taps Brivo Systems for secure physical access for its more than 200 employees. The system not only enables physical access but is also integrated into the time and attendance solution to keep track of employee hours.

Gemalto announced that its LinqUs Mobile ID platform is compliant with the GSMA Mobile Connect initiative and is available for commercial launch; HID Global revealed that the newly designed Irish electronic passport won the Regional ID Document of the Year Award 2014 at the annual High Security Printing Conference in Milan; and LEGIC signed two new license contracts in Eastern Europe: EDPS in Poland and Prosoft-Systems in Russia.

Passwords are the cockroaches of the authentication and identity world, annoying, dirty and ever present. But will they die? Passwords will remain a factor of authentication but the outdated modality will lessen as time goes on and as other systems emerge to better secure systems and devices.