The Middle Eastern locale wants to make boarding and immigration more efficient by using smartphones, biometric checks and more data links. But that’s not all. Also in the works is a system through which certain travelers could authenticate themselves during a car ride to the airport.

The tiny island in the Indian Ocean has started to deploy a national ID card that also functions as a driver’s license, and a bank, health and insurance, payment and passport card. The project comes as other countries in Africa and Asia move forward with multi-application IDs.

Already known for its efforts at digital ID and online access to government services, the Baltic nation is considering a plan that would give e-residents the use of a digital currency called estcoin. The project could include raising capital via virtual money instead of traditional shares.

A patent application describes a new device that would enable consumers to use biometric authentication via a fingerprint sensor placed in one or more keys on a computer keyboard. Even as iris, facial and other biometric authentication technologies gain ground, fingerprints apparently still have new realms to conquer, and one may prove to be ongoing ambient authentication.

The country is the latest nation to use the technology that underlies digital currency transactions to improve financial services for citizens. The effort could end up shaping the way Japan’s government offers secure access to information and services, too.

The British passport office shows off the new design for the travel identity documents, which also include a special secondary image of the passport holder, and a construction method designed to thwart criminals. Special watermarks abound, and the new design boasts a ‘perfect alignment’ of inks.

A biometric and identity trade group is raising concerns about part of a U.S. Senate bill – the TSA Modernization Act – that could water down the importance of fingerprint biometrics in the vetting of travelers who apply for the TSA’s PreCheck program. The group is urging lawmakers to consider the safety and privacy risks of such a change.

The technology partnership from two companies relies on patient photos to avoid mistakes and duplicate medical records. Data is stored on HIPPA-compliant servers, and involves a smartphone and tablet app that can further the scope and scale of the solution.

Most countries now issue the secure travel documents, according to a new Gemalto report, providing clear benefits to travelers and trade. Those countries that have yet to join the trend face security challenges and the expense of going without.

A project involving HID Global seeks to put personal and banking information on millions of contact chips cards designed for current and retired government workers. Withdrawing pay and pensions from ATMs are among the cards’ planned capabilities.