All the great new mobile wallet systems are ripe with the promise of lighter pockets and more streamlined pocketbooks. But the truth is, most of the great apps out there still leave consumers with a need for an actual wallet—to carry a license, to hold on to extra credit cards not covered on the system, or to store loyalty cards and coupons for merchants that haven’t jumped on the NFC bandwagon.
But according to GigaOm, Cambridge startup iCache is about to change all that. They’re set to debut a super high-tech iPhone case that might just make wallets a totally optional accessory. This is not your average smartphone cover: the Geode case can digitize all of your credit cards and loyalty cards, and offers a quick and easy way to use them at the register.
Users simply have to use the included card reader to swipe all of their magnetic strip credit cards and upload the information to the Geode app. Barcode-based loyalty cards can be scanned using the iPhone camera. Once all your information is stored, it’s safe and secure until you’re ready to use it, thanks to lock system powered by a biometric fingerprint reader.
When it’s time to charge something, users just pick a card from the app and a removable blank credit card hooked on the back of the case gets instantly loaded with its information for the transaction. Barcode-based cards get flashed on a screen that can be scanned by a barcode reader. It’s like the wallet of the future has arrived.
Other Interesting Mobile Wallet Options
Ok, other wallets of the future have also arrived. Google, Blackberry, and even PayPal all offer their own mobile payment systems. But as TechCrunch notes, they still rely on NFC, and there are still tons of merchants who are far from NFC-ready.
One other interesting option that might compare with Geode’s cool-factor is Square’s Card Case version 1.1 for iPhone. With this case users can automatically open a tab with a participating merchant just by showing up. Once a customer registers with a certain merchant, the card case app can automatically announce that customer’s presence when they’re just 100 meters or closer to the shop. The customer’s account and photo pop up right on the store-owner’s iPad register app.
Sounds like you’ll finally be able to find a place where everybody knows your name—before you even walk through the door.
SOURCES:
http://gigaom.com/2012/03/14/geode-iphone-case-replaces-all-of-your-credit-cards/
http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/13/icache-geode/
http://gigaom.com/2011/11/02/with-card-case-square-launches-hands-free-payments-on-iphone/
http://www.appolicious.com/finance/articles/11340-paypal-unveils-new-mobile-wallet-service-at-sxsw-2012
PHOTO CREDIT:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/13/icache-geode/
