Re:Sample iOS 6 Passbook Web Service in Rails
by Spooky23 on Thursday September 13, 2012 @09:45AM
(#4516081)
I disagree -- I think that NFC just adds another step that makes the technology less approachable and doesn't provide a big benefit.
The problem solved here is that I don't need to carry a half dozen cards or slips of paper to do stuff. In my wallet right now I have a BJ's Card, two supermarket cards, CVS card, a Hilton Honors card, a Westin card, library card, health insurance ID card, dental ID card and a couple of other store cards. If I don't carry the cards, I need to giv my phone number to a clerk to look up my account, which is a pain.
So I'm carrying around all of these cards. Passbook gets rid of all of them -- that's compelling.
NFC is another layer of geekery that's cool, but I'm not going to use it, just like how I never use my RFID credit card. Why? Wireless point of sale readers cost a fortune, and they aren't available at 95% of retail outlets, and when they are, they only work for credit cards. (Honestly, in my area, I only see them at drug stores and Exxon/Mobil stations)
The problem solved here is that I don't need to carry a half dozen cards or slips of paper to do stuff. In my wallet right now I have a BJ's Card, two supermarket cards, CVS card, a Hilton Honors card, a Westin card, library card, health insurance ID card, dental ID card and a couple of other store cards. If I don't carry the cards, I need to giv my phone number to a clerk to look up my account, which is a pain.
So I'm carrying around all of these cards. Passbook gets rid of all of them -- that's compelling.
NFC is another layer of geekery that's cool, but I'm not going to use it, just like how I never use my RFID credit card. Why? Wireless point of sale readers cost a fortune, and they aren't available at 95% of retail outlets, and when they are, they only work for credit cards. (Honestly, in my area, I only see them at drug stores and Exxon/Mobil stations)