Pay with your Phone: No Wallet Needed (NFC)

Look for this to be breaking news on Thursday May 26^th.

According to Bloomberg, Google along with Sprint Nextel Corp will be bringing a phone based payment system to New York City (woot!), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington DC.  The new payment method is set to be revealed on May 26^th. That’s great news….if you have a phone capable of it.

In order to use the new service you will need a phone that has Near Field Communications (NFC).  This radio technology is similar to what you may already have in “tap and go” credit cards-- sometimes referred to as BLINK. Look on the back of your credit card for the Blink Logo. NFC payment systems have been used in Japan safely for many years.

Not all phones have it – not the Evo, not the iPhone, not your Jitterbug. But the new Google Nexus S has NFC – and it’s available on Sprint.  No news yet if this is a Sprint Exclusive. My guess is that Google is partnering with Sprint first –as Sprint has at least one current phone with NFC, and more to come this summer that boast this new feature. Expect this to spread to the other mobile networks by the holiday season.

Google is not the only player in NFC payment systems. AT&T, the big V, and T Mobile are working with ISIS. Let’s see who cracks the US market first.

Feedback

Would you replace your wallet with your phone? Security concerns? 

Living and Working in a Post-PC World

•  In August 2005 notebook computers began outselling desktops
•  In February 2011 smartphones began outselling PC’s

There is growing body evidence and propaganda that we, as a society, are entering the POST PC era. What does this mean? Well, loosely, it means that what we used to need a full size computer to accomplish – we can now do with a netbook, or tablet, or even a smartphone. Factors leading to the Post-PC era include:

• Giant leaps forward in processor power (Intel tri-gate transistor)
• Shrinking physical size of storage (as it increases in capacity and speed)
• Cloud Storage and Computing
• Ultra thin hi-definition displays

 Many tech-heads rejoice, as we run to our local Best Buy or J&R to get our fingerprints all over the just released gizmo's.  But what does the latest round of gadgets mean for the “regular” customer – or business?

What is a Post-PC device – who makes them?

Although they will come in many forms – generally a post PC device is ultraportable, surprisingly powerful, and connected device. As new smartphones and the second generation of tablets enter the market throughout 2011, the competition will stiffen – with some companys already falling victim to slow innovation. The big names in Post PC devices range from the familiar to obscure; Apple iPad, to the Samsung Galaxy Tab, to Kobo.

Transition

Keep in mind that 2011-2013 are likely transitional years. In my opinion the current crop of Post PC gadgets are intriguing and innovative – but are designed for primarily for consumption of information.  Tablets for example are perfect for reading newspapers and magazines, watching video (on demand), surfing the web, and listening to music. That’s great a pretty big chunk of what we already do on a full size computer.  However, at the moment, Post PC devices are not optimized for PRODUCING.  We still have some work to do before we can produce long documents, or spreadsheets, edit long form video, or photo editing on a pocket-able device.  It’s not because tablets are not powerful – they are—I just that they are not suited for certain types of work.  Keep in mind that the “workplace” is much, much slower at adapting new forms of technology that an individual.

On the Horizon

Post PC devices are here – and in strong numbers. Expect to still have a computer on your desk for the next 5-8 years. 

Feedback!
Do you have a Post PC device? Are you using it to CONSUME or PRODUCE?  What challenges do you have before you can live without a desktop or full size computer?