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A new digital wallet seeks to replace the collection of bank cards kept in your wallet — as well as any loyalty cards — with a combination of technologies.
(Credit: iCache)
The package consists of a GeoCard, an app and an iPhone case. The card lives in the case and, when you want to use one of your bank cards, you select the relevant card from within the app — which then turns the GeoCard into the bank card in question. It’s not a normal card: tucked away inside is a tiny battery and some electronics, but, according to iCache, it will work with all current point-of-sale card readers.
On the case is also an E Ink screen for store loyalty cards; when you have selected your card, the screen will display the relevant barcode — E Ink is also a much better medium to be picked up by infrared scanners.
If it sounds all a bit not-quite-secure, iCache has addressed that, too: the bottom of the case has a biometric fingerprint scanner. Neither the GeoCard nor the E Ink display will activate without an authorised fingerprint — so, iCache claims, it’s actually much more secure than a regular credit card. Additionally, cards automatically erase after a set period of time.
It raises a lot of questions: what happens when the card’s battery runs down? If you have a cut on your finger, will your fingerprint still scan? What do you do with your small change? Nevertheless, it’s an intriguing piece of equipment.
Shipping in July, Geode is only available to US residents at this point in time, for a cool US$199. We’ve contacted iCache for details on local release and will update this story when we get more information.
