In the recent years technology has progressed at an unimaginable rate. It seems that not long ago I got my very first cell flip cell phone in 10th grade. I could have never imagined having the opportunity to listen to music, take a picture, check my email, make a post about what I’m doing or make a video that would go viral in days on one device. Innovation in mobile technology has definitely taken a more modern turn just in time for the New Year. Aside from all the new smart phones available, the new variety of applications that run on them is ever growing.
Applications, or apps as everyone knows them, are making life not only entertaining, but ever more convenient. There isn’t a day that everyone doesn’t use an app to do something online, be that tweeting, uploading a picture to Facebook, finding a new random place to eat or planning the perfect date that’s right for your budget, and preference. Now, even the Starbucks coffee lovers can enjoy the times and reap the benefits of being modern coffee drinkers and loyal customers. Earlier this year Starbucks introduced a new way for it’s customers to pay for their caffeine fixes with the use of something the majority of the population already has, a smart phone. The service is already available on Blackberry, iPhones and iPod touch and soon to join them, android.
However, with every step forward, there sometimes are a few steps back. This new technology claims to be faster than using cash or cards; however, one could argue it takes the same amount of time to look for a wallet in a purse that it takes to look for a phone. One could also say it takes the same amount of time to swipe a card than it does to scan a barcode. Time isn’t the only thing of question. Security and privacy always remain a topic of concern when it comes to linking things with your bank and credit card accounts. Being someone that recently had to deal with fraudulent charges on my credit card account, having yet another thing to worry about getting hacked is a little overwhelming. As a response many say that if your phone were stolen, that wouldn’t really matter because the phone could be password protected. The password protected solution is only a minor response, as I’m sure to an experienced identity thief, can be merely a bump in the road to creating some serious damage to your financial state. If they happen to find your phone and be Starbucks fanatics, they might be drinking the good stuff on your dime.
I think only time will tell just how ready we as users and companies are to accept and perfect the future way of experiencing the shopping process. According to SmartMoney.com, just in 2010 alone consumers spent $3.4 billion dollars on purchases made through their phone. That’s only based on the fact that this technology is still fairly new and has yet to be implemented for all types of purchases and retailers. We already do most of our functions on the go and why not with something we can’t seem to live without? It seems promising for everyone seeing that every day we use our mobile phones for everything more and more.
It’s certainly an interesting direction to look forward to even if you’re a coffee fanatic or not, I guess the only other concern is if you have enough money in your accounts to do all of this shopping. And of course if your favorite store already has an app to help you spend that paycheck.
I like your view on the privacy issue. Having all your personal information in one device can be awfully dangerous. Your whole identity can be stored through your smartphone. Even though some apps, can require a password for a log-in (bank accounts for example), through the user's e-mail they can obtain a temporary password and get into more personal information. Scary.
ReplyDeleteAnd now there's hackers that have figured out a way to manipulate the Starbucks app: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02/09/starbucks_insecure/
"Being someone that recently had to deal with fraudulent charges on my credit card account, having yet another thing to worry about getting hacked is a little overwhelming. As a response many say that if your phone were stolen, that wouldn’t really matter because the phone could be password protected".
ReplyDeleteIt's true that many have commented on the issue related to a Smartphone's security and whether it can be trusted with all our personal information. If iPhone develops a NFC device that will allow us to carry our computer in the pocket, this question becomes even more serious. Ask yourself, what do I keep in my computer? Passwords, pictures, emails, ideas, projects, business… everything.
Mac would need to develop a strong security system that would allow consumers to trust it with their "lives".
A quick idea would be that they were able to "totally disconnect" our iPhone the moment we call about the theft.
I too remember my first cell phone and it amazes me how far the technology has com. Like you I also worry about the security and privacy. It scares me how much of your information could possible get their hands on. I have could friends who in the past and recently have dealt with identity thief and I know its not fun to deal with.
ReplyDelete