Not on the cards
A single smartcard for all uses will never, ever happen (A smartcard for smart users, Letters blog, letters.computing.co.uk). It's not a technology problem. Multi-application cards exist today. It's a business problem. First, there are the obvious security and liability issues around the issuing process. Secondly, the cards are crucial marketing devices - hence the fancy graphics and novelty shapes. How will issuers compete for the coveted 'front of wallet' position as co-hosted applications on a single card?
Jonathan Tuliani
There WILL never, ever again be any dinosaurs on earth, no matter if they like it or not. Once they thought that earth is flat and they tried to fight for it, and even burn in fire for this idea. But as then they were extinct, they will in the near future as well.
First, as I explained in my previous post, there is no security issue for me and billions of other people like me. Also liability is not a problem as we already have lots of worldwide organizations responsible for international standards and protocols.
Secondly, from marketing point of view it’s not a problem as well. We’d be able to choose the design from many available options categorized by providers, colours, shapes and so on. For me it makes not a big difference if I have 20 cards with different designs. I think it would if I had just one card with my favourite, chosen design.
Posted by: Waldemar Hiero | Monday, 03 September 2007 at 10:52 AM