Cell phone as a wallet?

I would like to continue the discussion from last week regarding tools or uses of a cell phone. I mentioned that I would look into RFID technology that allows users equipped with this technology to make purchases with their cell phone. The technology was introduced in Japan in 2004. Since then several million users have adopted/incorporated this technology into their daily existence. Thus far, in Japan, most RFID equipped patrons utilize this tool for making small purchases, movie tickets, bus and train fares, fast food, convenience store purchases and the like.

Despite Japan’s rapid adoption of new technology, there have been issues. Namely, critics say, is the need to have cash for a large portion of their purchases. Japan is still a cash driven society. (Unlike the US where we can purchase just about anything with a credit/debit card) Also, special RFID terminals are needed by businesses to allow patrons utilization of this technology. Therefore, until Japan adopts a more electronic friendly purchasing practices and until more businesses install the required terminals, this technology may take some time to diffuse into Japanese culture.

I like the sound of this technology. But, how safe is it? If someone got my cell phone could they potentially empty my checking account? Or charge thousands of dollars to my credit card? Are we as Americans ready for this type of technology? Is this useful?

What are your cell phone stats?

For the last week, I have been keeping track of everything I use my cell phone for. (See results below) If I am honest with myself, some of the uses surprised me. Specifically, how many text messages I sent and received. Text messages outnumber my calls over 3 to 1. Also, last week I used the traffic enabled GPS application on four separate occasions, traveling nearly 300 miles under the watchful eye of big brother. These were the items I utilized most during this last week. Other applications that I used on my cell phone included mobile web to check weather and search for theaters. Calculator, alarm clock, date book, pictures, video clips, and used it to check time.
Which brings me to the questions for you. First, what are your cell stats? Post a comment about the top three uses of your cell, and how many times you utilized each tool. Second, do you consider the cell phone the new “digital swiss army knife”? I am not sure who coined this phrase, but I like it and feel it is applicable to cell phones. If I can refer you back to my cell usage, I utilized ten different applications or tools (tool is more fitting for the knife comparison). I have other tools on my phone, I can check email, listen to mp3, download video clips and so on.
In Japan, they have been using cell phones to make purchases at stores and coffee shops. This is done using RFID technology. (More on this next week) I am interested to see where technology takes the cell phone, I like the idea of being able to buy things with my phone, but what are the privacy implications? What happens if my phone is stolen? Will the thief go on a shopping spree?

My cell stats (09/11/08-09/18/08)
Text messages total (75)
Phone calls total (22)
GPS usage total (295 miles)

Introduction

For my first post I thought I would introduce myself and mention the focus of this blog. As you can see from the blogs title, my name is Mike. I spent the first half of my life in Michigan and the second half in South Carolina. I love playing sports and try to learn a new one every two years. Last summer I began doing triathlons and have enjoyed competing with myself and others in this sport. Now that I am in New England, I would like to join a crew team. Other sports I would like to learn include surfing and kiteboarding.

I am currently attending the University of Hartford working on a Masters degree in communication. I am planning on graduating in May of 2009. Tentative, post graduate plans (for the moment) will be to continue my education by pursuing a PhD, also in communication. My career objective (again, for the moment) is to become a professor of communication. I want to teach public speaking and other communication courses. One area of research which has interest for me, is how people use technology to develop, enhance, and maintain their interpersonal, romantic and familial relationships. Also of interest are the underlying issues/ implications of our increasingly technology reliant society.

This semester I am taking a seminar in new media. One of the requirements for the class (and upon which I will be graded) is to set up a blog and submit a post each week, ideally about some aspect of technology. In essence this blog is a result of a class assignment, which is ok as I have been wanting to get into blogging for some time. So this class has given me the motivation I need to participate in this new media technology. In future posts I will discuss nanotechnology, text messaging, social networking, a brief history of the internet, and other topics that I feel are relevant to class topics and which have communicative implications.