Has anybody else noticed that trying to buy content directly on iOS can be somewhat of a headache?

Now, perhaps I’m alone in my obsession with using secure passwords, but it seems the iTunes Store is starting to enforce password complexity for all users. Further, I think that anybody who uses a low-security password for an online service that has their credit card and/or bank account attached to it is insane.

I have no problem trying to type in a complex password on a real, physical keyboard when I’m at my computer, however it can be more of a nuisance with an iOS device, particularly when you just want to download a quick song or app from the Store while you’re on-the-go.

Ideally, I think Apple should take a page from PayPal’s book and setup a PIN system for on-device purchases — a four-digit numeric code that could be entered as easily as the normal device password.

While this code would be inherently less secure than your normal iTunes Store password, it is in essence still part of a two-factor authentication system: Something you have (your personal iOS device), and something you know (your PIN). PayPal has this option for its mobile apps, and let’s face it, banks have been doing it for over two decades now — both services that provide more direct access to your money than the iTunes Store does. (Further, I’d imagine that there are some people who take better care of their iPhone than they do their bank cards, but that’s another debate…)

The system as I envision it would be optional, requiring users to still supply their normal iTunes Store password unless they chose to enable a PIN on their account. Enabling a device to use a PIN instead of a password would still require some type of first-time authentication of the device — perhaps either entering the full password once to set it up or “authorizing” the device to use a PIN by syncing with iTunes. Either way, the key would be that your PIN could only be used on your own iOS devices, enforcing the “two-factor” authentication aspect.

This would be a win-win for just about everybody (except perhaps for compulsive buyers ;) ), since Apple would make the purchasing process easier for end users, thereby encouraging more on-device purchases and the end user would be a better shopping experience with the iTunes Store and App Store.