Mobile Payment Technology
A break from all the previous posts about TV, I'll be talking about the convergence of digital devices with technology.Min mentioned about FeliCa Technology in Japan. In fact, it has already arrived in the sunny shores of Singapore! (sorry about the numerous sss)
Recently, StarHub has tied up with EZ-Link to come up with a contactless payment service based on cards with near-field communication (NFC) technology. Mobile phones with embedded NFC chips can be used in the same way as EZ-Link cards. All we have to do is to wave our handphones over a reader to make payment! So convenient right!
Also, they are starting a public trial which will see 1,000 participants using their phones like electronic wallets. About 20,000 ez-link machines can read these special made-in-Singapore phones, which are loaned to the trial users for six months. To top up their phones, users can tap them at an ez-link top-up machine at an MRT station.
Starhub also plans to allow users to download an Internet link to their phones from a poster or advertisement equipped with an NFC reader, giving users access to shopping information or transportation timetables.
Handphones have already become an integral part of our lives. Most of us can't do without it. I admit to having withdrawal symptoms if I had to part from my phone for a while. So now that we are able to do multi-task with our phone, aint it like a lifeline to us?
What do you guys think? Will you be receptive and embrace this new technology?
posted by Belle @ 1:45 AM
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