New Tech News Phones and Phone Payment Systems

The largest Chinese cell phone manufacturer has a new phone out ($215) that runs on Android, and mimics the iPhone 5-s to a very large degree.  Very thin, very well made, fabulous screen definition, and icons that mimic the iPhone.  So say the reviews.  This phone will not be available in the USA for now, of course, but it probably is telling about the future -- which could be price drops on all smart phones.  Smart phones, in total, now outnumber humans on the planet, so I have read. So they are everywhere.  Many people in Africa use them in lieu of bank accounts -- they can exchange money via their smart phone to pay bills, buy things and repay loans.

Chick Fil A just announced they will take smart phone payments (soon ?) at their counter.  I asked how, and they didn't know for sure, but they think a patron will pre-pay $30 or more to Chick Fil A and they will keep the cash (no interest paid on this pre-pay) and then allow the patron to pay using the smart phone at the cash register.  Just how that will take place I am not sure.  But why would a patron do it?  Well, the employee told me that by paying in this manner, Chick Fil A will reward a patron (customer) with one free sandwich with ever 5 purchased, or something like that.  It could also be useful for teenagers, who don't carry much cash, don't have credit cards, and whose parents might pre-load their smart phone with $100 so they can buy food for a month at Chick Fil A --- but not other things a credit card might be used for.  Parents might like that restriction.

I know some health related credit cards are restricted, and you can only pay for certain SKU's at places like Walgreens and Wal-Mart with that card.  Such as over the counter medicine or drugs from the pharmacy.  Chick Fil A is just expanding on that idea and removing the plastic altogether.  Word on the street is that people will give up wallets in the future to pay everything (or most everything) with one device.  That would be, of course, the one device everyone has - a smart phone. Not everyone has a drivers license or a wallet with cash in it.