Most technology has found its beginings within the asian continent, and still today countries like China and Japan greatly surpass the United States with their technological advances. New gadgets, toys, and tools are always being introduced but today it is not so much what the technology is, but what one is able to do with it.
Japan recently released a "mobile wallet service" in which a smart chip is placed into a persons cell phone allowing them to download "applications like electronic money, your commuter pass, an airline mileage card or a credit card just by downloading some software." As of now, Japans largest phone carrier offers a program allowing the user to have a charge limit of 10,000 yen ($94), and charges appear on the phone bill. One may apply for a higher limit, but the fact that this type of technology even exists is amazing! This appears to be less harmful and less scary than RFID's, however the user can reap the same benefits from the technology. They are able to have all of their information at the palm of their hand and wallets may soon be a thing of the past. All you need to do is bring the phone within an inch of the receiver in order for it to be read, and it is already accepted in more than 71,000 convenience stores, bookshops and coffee chains. "More than 37 million cards and cell phones that support Edy are on the market, and the network handles close to a million transactions per day on average."
This techonolgy represents the utopian view because consumers will not have to worry about losing credit cards, purses or wallets. All of their information is easily accessible and the tool seems to completely benefit the user.
-Only in Japan: The Best Technologies You Can't Buy
http://tech.msn.com/news/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=6353976
By Kimberly Koretoff
No comments:
Post a Comment