Hidden tech

[khiemtran]

What's the ultimate technological device for travellers, circa 2008?

It isn't any of the pocket-sized translation devices or electronic dictionaries. It isn't the laptop computer, or the GPS unit or the satellite phone. It isn't a flashy new 3.5G handset or a digital camera. It isn't even the quad-band GSM mobile, although that's certainly a high runner (and in many ways it functions in a similar way to the device I think really is the most useful....)

Can you guess what I have in mind? It's the credit card. More specifically, it's the electronic POS credit card reader that lets you use a card anywhere in the world, plus get instant notification if it's used where you're not. Instant access to your money through a largely invisible and unnoticed network and a line of security back to your own identity.

It's not very flashy, and most people wouldn't even notice it except when it doesn't work, but sometimes those are the markers of the very best technology. The complication is all hidden under the surface.

This is true of a lot of C20/21 technologies, where the ones with the most impact are often ignored. Air travel is neat, but it's cheap, safe modern shipping that means Toyotas can be built in Thailand and a single region in China can seize a stranglehold on the global toy market. Gameboys are fun to play with, but flyscreens made life much more bearable in Australia.

Often the ones to look for are the ones that are barely seen at all.

Comments

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

You're right about the credit card. No longer do you have to change currency into travellers' cheques or worry about running out of cash.

I was a little surprised that none of the US stores had chip-and-pin installed though. That's completely taken over from signatures in the UK.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Just a matter of time, I guess. It only saves a few seconds, but it makes a big difference in convenience.

I did have one meal in London where we sat in an old port cellar (The Crusting Pipe, under Covent Garden). The waitress had one of those wireless eftpos devices, but she couldn't get good reception at the end of the little alcove we were sitting in. Those people with old fashioned signature cards could sign at the table and then she could take the device back into radio range to complete the transaction. Those with chip-and-pin had to march out with her back into the electronic in-zone.

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

Never mind travellers, it has revolutionised life.

You no longer have to budget (and I think that's something that's not univocally positive) - you can always get money anywhere. On the positve side you no longer have to run to the bank to get $$$ and keep them in an envelope at home; on the negative side, it's easy to spend money you haven't got.

Ordering by phone has gotten easier, ordering on the Internet has only become possible.

It's life of a different kind to twenty years ago.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I've just changed to a fuel card for buying petrol lately and I've been surprised at how convenient it is. Plus the cash in wallet now lasts twice as long. I hadn't quite realized how much of it was going on fuel. On the plus side, I can now get breakdowns of exactly how much I spend each month and what mileage I'm doing. On the downside, someone else could potentially get breakdowns too. Not so much of a worry buying fuel, but I'd start to wonder about the supermarket cross-referencing my credit card with my buying patterns.