Wasn’t it really just a matter of time until there was one device/utility that combined all your payment options into one single card? Well Coin has taken a stab at replacing the bulk in your wallet by putting all of your eggs in one digital wallet.
Essentially Coin is there to give you the same as the Google Wallet services and the Isis Mobile Wallet with the added caveat of a physical card. Unlike the other virtual wallet devices, the physical card houses personal information on all of your cards.
Setup is just a matter of downloading the iOS or Android apps for coin and plugging the dongle into your smartphone. Next, you can take each of your cards, whether it is debit credit, store, gift, loyalty, or membership cards and swipe them with the dongle. With your smartphone you should take a picture of each card so that you can identify them. Thats it. Put the unused plastic in a safe place and you only need to take your Coin with you to restaurants, on trips or when shopping.
The cool thing about the coin is a display on the device indicates to you the card that will be used. You can cycle through your options at the tap of a button. Standalone the device can hold the information for 8 cards, but the smartphone app is able to contain an unlimited number of cards.
The first thing anyone will think about with this device is security, but the developers have added some nifty features to keep it safe. It uses Bluetooth to keep in touch with your smartphone and sends you a notification if it finds itself outside of a certain range. Thats not just about security either. Everyone has at one time or another left their wallet somewhere and before you get past the point of no return, Coin will let you know. Cool.
Device specs say that it will last around two years without recharging. Once the battery expires, you will need to replace the digital wallet at a cost of $100. If you get on the bandwagon now, your first one will only set you back $50. It works overseas as well however it is recommended that you take a second card.
