Palm today announced collaboration with Visa and other financial leaders to provide eWallet capabilities to Palm OS devices. Palm CEO Carl Yankowski demonstrated the eWallet technology at CES 2001. Consumers will be able to use their handheld instead of their credit card, among other things:
manage and stretch their dollars through accurate and automatic record-keeping;
receive eCoupons for products and services;
get automatic prompts about personally relevant entertainment or purchases; and
always know the status of their loyalty programs, such as those for airline mileage or hotel stays.
I've always thought that eWallet technology will be one of the cornerstones of the future of handheld devices. I carry very little cash and look forward to the day that I can stop carrying my leather wallet completely because I can pay bills with my Visor and use it for identification.
