iWallet?
No, it’s not a new iPhone app, but it could be. Banks have started turning your cellphones into credit cards. Man, is this going to affect my data plan?
As my last blog post for Don’t Blink Design (holding back tears), it is difficult to figure out what I want to write today. On what note shall I leave you on? The conclusion is pure and simple: go out the way I came. Wait, that sounded better in my head. In other words, humor and phone companies shall be my farewell address.
According to Reuters, cellphones will soon be able to pay for your purchases at participating retail stores. Phone companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-mobile are partnering up with Visa, Bank of America, Barclays, and Discover for trial runs of their payment technology. The US would be following other countries like the UK, Turkey and Japan who have already adopted this form of purchasing. Well, here are a few issues I have about this idea:
1. Broken or stolen phone?
Even before the iPhone4 came out, people had already broken the models they received. If we were to completely change over from plastic to glass, what would happen if our phones were broken or stolen. Ship new phones? Ever since my first cell phone, cellphones have failed to pass my durability test (i.e. throw it on the ground after losing Snake), which makes me extremely apprehensive to use it as my credit card.
2. Security
Customers would have to install small chips into their smartphones that emit radio waves over short distances. How easily can the waves suffer from interference? Just this past week, my landlord had to replace the code on our garage door, because cellphones were disrupting it. My garage door is one thing, but bank information is another even though there isn’t much to steal.
3. What’s wrong with our current method?
I’m all for technology if it improves efficiency, quality, and fun factor; but if there is no apparent value, what is the point? It’s not as if bringing a credit card is a real hassle. Credit cards are thin, small, and durable. They work better than my cellphone and almost always swipe at ever purchase. What would happen if your phone was out of battery, because iPhone batteries last half a day? Better carry a car charger with you at all times!
Even if it’s popular in Japan, it doesn’t mean the US will adopt this new technology. We haven’t adopted all of Japan’s ideas. Americans are very hesitant about disclosing bank account information, for example, my mother who has refused to purchase anything online. All in all, if the technology doesn’t bring any functionality, then why use it.
Thank you so much for reading my blogs over the past few months! I have truly enjoyed writing them! Kota, signing off.
