FlasshePoint

Will phones ever replace wallets? According to this article, yes, but it’s still a ways away - 2012 at the earliest.

I know the article is primarily focused on the use of phones to make payments wherever you would use a credit or debit card, but I want a phone(/pda) that will replace all the functions of a wallet so that I don’t have to carry one around and keep track of it. After cash and cards, the primary use for a wallet is to carry ID. Of course, once we all have RFID chips implanted in our bodies, we won’t have to carry identification. Let’s see, what else do I use a wallet for…? I’ve already switched to a slimline wallet, as I reported in this blog entry. So I don’t really have much in my wallet these days. Family photos can be kept on the smartphone or PDA. Pretty much anything can be kept in the smartphone or PDA. The implanted RFID chip will transmit not only your driver’s license information, but your health insurance info. The phone will be able to store and change how many punches you have on your sandwich shop card, all the info for your various credit cards… stuff like that. The car’s computer itself will have the auto insurance and car registration info. So, really, there will be no need for a wallet soon enough. It’s a brave new world.

I can’t wait to get rid of my wallet! Hopefully as part of a big wallet-burning ceremony.

Latre.

Jogged Today: Yes (@ 59°F) Short route, no iPod.