Do we really want our smartphones to do everything?

Smartphones are such a fundamental part of our daily lives that we are determined to make them do as much as physically possible. Using a variety of apps and technology, the phone is set to overtake the wallet completely, but is this what we really want?

Firstly, I'll talk a little bit about how it all works. A fair amount of smartphones include a NFC (near field communication) microchip, which is able to connect to various receivers. Phones that carry such a chip can be used as an Oyster card, simply by downloading an app. Of course, this is just the start of a smartphones potential. Using the same NFC technology, Google have developed Google Wallet, which allows users to sync their debit/ credit card to their phone and purchase goods using contactless technology. (Similar to that of the new Barclay card.)

So if this works as well as I'm saying it does why hasn't it properly taken off?

Two reasons, the first of which being it relies on the receiving devices (like Oyster card readers) having wifi. This could be costly to install, and it won't actually create an increase in revenue. People aren't going to suddenly jump on a train purely so they can use their phone as a ticket.

For this idea to really work, businesses, buses, and train stations all need to be equipped with the technology that allows it all to work, otherwise there is just no point.

The second reason is even more important. Apple haven't put NFC chips in iPhones. If you look up a list of phones with an NFC chip, you'll see loads of Android phones, Windows phones and even Blackberrys, but no iPhone. Considering the amount of people that own an iPhone, it's going to have quite a big effect on the success of the concept. I'm pretty sure that if an IPhone came with an NFC chip, businesses would jump a the chance to make it possible to pay via phone. It would become a sales gimmick.

However, I think Apple are aware that they have the power to make this concept a reality, and are most likely holding back in order to release their own clever version for a high price. They're probably developing a completely different way to make your iPhone work as your wallet, but of course, we'll just have to wait and see.

Personally regardless of whether iPhones will come with some sort of NFC technology, I would still not feel entirely secure knowing that all my information is stored on my phone. What if you lost it? Surely you wouldn't take that risk?


What do you think? Would you use such technology? Comment!