Amazon has launched its own single sign-on service for third parties. Titled Login with Amazon, the system will function in a similar manner to existing one-click authentication systems offered by other social networks, in order to help web developers and app creators encourage users to register an account and, in the case of mobile apps, to spend money.
In a similar way to how Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and others operate their own versions, Login with Amazon will allow users to click on a button in an app or website to sign in. Authentication is performed over OAuth 2.0, and passes enough basic information to the third party service in order to create a new account or access an existing one.
A software development kit is being provided by Amazon to developers, which will integrate with websites, iOS, Android, and Amazon Appstore apps. While it is said to be easily integrated into apps and websites “in a matter of hours” and will allow for optional extras such as achievements for games and Whispersync to be added to services, Amazon will be restricting the use of its payment system to in-app purchases.
The Login with Amazon system could potentially become as synonymous with quick account access as Facebook as time goes on. Early tests by Zappos found 40 percent of new customers signing in with the Amazon account, while Woot claims to have seen twice as many new log ins through Amazon compared to other social login services the site uses.
