It's been long in discussion and now making more progress than ever, but mobile phones really will be a valid payment method offered by shops/organisations selling goods and services. Well, at least that's what this article from ZDNet suggests. Visa are currently developing applications for Nokia and for Google's new Android phones. As well as moving toward a digital currency, the applications could notify account holders of activity on their account (good if something dodgy's been going on). They're also looking at implementing location-based services and live merchant offers, but the really interesting bit has to be using the phone as a payment method. I've personally always liked the idea, although it does scare me that losing my phone not just loses my life details (contacts, photos, diary, calendar, notes, music, software etc), it could also lose the funds in my bank account. That's a lot to deal with if your phone is stolen or you accidentally drop it down the toilet (I've done that before - don't ask). As I say, I like the idea. I always carry my mobile with me (much to my beloved wife's frustration) and I always carry my wallet with me, so why not merge the two? Ok, I'd need my phone to be used as a library card and I'd need another place to stick my spare stamps, but they're not unsolvable problems. I'm guessing I might be in the minority by liking the idea, but what do you think? Would you want to use your phone for buying stuff? Dan
