Do you Blink in your area?

[graylocks]

i just called Chase to upgrade one of my credit cards and was asked if i wanted one of the new Blink enabled cards. apparently, there's a chip embedded so that you simply wave it in front of a device at check out inside of swiping. the card also swiped.

i told 'em to send me one of dem new-fangled thingies though taint made it to Georgia fer as i know. 8-)

[Seacrest]

I'm sorry, I really do not understand the need for this kind of device.

We're so averse to physical exertion now that the mere swiping of a piece of plastic requires us to allow the financial cartel the ability to virtually reach into our wallets through the ether, without us lifting a finger?

Spare me the "convenience" and whatever other marketing nonsense they come up with.

[NewtonMP2100]

. . .I would think if your card is stolen or lost. . .it would make easier for thieves to use it at a physical store. . .

[graylocks]

Seacrest wrote:
I'm sorry, I really do not understand the need for this kind of device.

We're so averse to physical exertion now that the mere swiping of a piece of plastic requires us to allow the financial cartel the ability to virtually reach into our wallets through the ether, without us lifting a finger?

the CS rep said that people who swipe a lot complain that the magnetic strip wears out. perhaps it also eliminates the issue of the mag strips canceling each other out if you're not careful about placing cards back to back in your wallet.

[graylocks]

NewtonMP2100 wrote:
. . .I would think if your card is stolen or lost. . .it would make easier for thieves to use it at a physical store. . .

i brought up that point with the rep. he said once a thief has your card it doesn't matter whether they steal by swiping or blinking. either is just as easy and you're still only liable for $50 - or in practice nothing - for a stolen card.

i sometimes take my card out while in line to expedite my time at check out. i'd certainly not do that. what's the range of the reader? might i accidentally pay for someone else's purchase?

[ztirffritz]

I'm anxious for a more secure version of RFID. I want to skip the checkout line altogether. Just walking through the door would read your ATM card, scan all of your groceriens and debit the correct amount. I'm sure that there will be some growing pains as there will be items that are not included in the scan, or pricing errors just like there currently are, but over all it should be faster.

[graylocks]

ztirffritz wrote:
I'm anxious for a more secure version of RFID. I want to skip the checkout line altogether. Just walking through the door would read your ATM card, scan all of your groceriens and debit the correct amount. I'm sure that there will be some growing pains as there will be items that are not included in the scan, or pricing errors just like there currently are, but over all it should be faster.

with this kind of system, how do you choose the method of payment? sometimes i use my debit card account; sometimes i'll want to use any number of CCs in my wallet. do you pre-register? does that limit flexibility if you do? and given that i do monitor the scanned price, it'd seem like a hassle to verify and correct pricing errors, as you note.

[kj4btkljv]

It has been a long time since the RFID and grocery store ideas merged...

http://www.crn.com/it-channel/18830111

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,10000...408,00.htm

Jeff

[gabester]

It seems like every credit card brand and possibly bank is inviting their own name for these contactless, wireless payment system. Expresspay is what Amex calls it, Mastercard calls it Paypass. What's even better is that they're all different implementations (not interoperable) of the same fundamental technology.
g=

[Yoyodyne ArtWorks]

God, this is a scary thread. The willingness that some people have to compromise fundamental issues of privacy for a little convenience...yikes. It started with those damn "Club" cards at grocery stores, where shoppers happily surrender their personal shopping histories (the stores record everything you purchase) for minimal savings.