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Thursday December 14, 2006
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 Here's a cool thought: your cell phone is your MasterCard. Nokia, Cingular, Citibank and Mastercard announced that they're going to do a trial of NFC (near field communications) based credit card/cell phones in New York City, using the "MasterCard PayPass" tap system that's currently in some NYC stores and subway stations.
If you sign up for the trial and get in, you'll get a snazzy NFC phone that will tap into your bank account and eliminate one more thing in your wallet. Of course, plenty of people are scared that thieves will be able to literally suck money out of your pocket; you can brush up on the debate by reading the comments attached to this post, where Gearlogger Dan Costa comes to terms with his own little PayPass tag, and this one, where Cisco Cheng says that the New York Times found security flaws in the system.
If you're up for the trial, sign up at www.nyctrial.com by December 20. You must be both a Cingular subscriber and a Citibank account holder to play.
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December 15, 2006 5:09 PM
oh great... now thieves can steal your credit card and your cellphone all at once...
December 26, 2006 11:06 AM
The phone they are using is the Nokia 6126.
December 27, 2006 7:40 AM
Looks like a great timesaver... For the nyc thieves too. Love the concept but I'll wait until they solve some of the security issues
January 11, 2007 10:01 AM
I am part of the trial. The model phone is a prototype Nokia 6131. Aside from a few second looks at the register it has worked quite well.
There is an option to turn off the PayPass/NFC feature or have the mobile phone ask for a passcode before transmitting data. This should allay security fears even more since US MasterCard holders get $0 liability on fraudulent charges.
January 31, 2007 3:50 PM
I just wanted to given an update a create some buzzzzzz about this.
So far so good. It is so easy and simple to use. My phone never leaves my hand and I always carry it with me so it is so convenient.
I have gotten some looks from cashiers. Some ask what type phone it is, or they ask in shock did I pay with my phone. Some just smile and look me in the eye and I explain it is a trial technology and the phone is not for sale yet. But you can get a PayPass Payment Tag!
If you have a a Citibank checking or Citibank credit card (MasterCard brand only) relationship in the USA or Canada you can get the PayPass Payment Tag product. Just call up Citibank (the number of your statement or card) and ask for the MasterCard PayPass Payment Tag. While not the trial PayPass phone, you can still enjoy speedy checkout at select merchants across the United States and Canada.
Have others had experience in the trial or with PayPass? Please post.