Carry the world in your wallet with the programmable credit cards

Having one programmable credit card in the wallet will be like having the world in your back pocket. As, these programmable credit cards not only let you do the things you do normally, but also gives you the luxury of operating multiple accounts in one card by just re-writing the magnetic strip. In addition, it can display information at a single press of button and also offers security features, which will ensure that there is no money lost to the hoaxes and the theft. And, DEMO conference in Santa Clara, California saw the unveiling of two such programmable credit cards from Dynamics, a startup based in Pittsburgh.

programmable credit cards

The first card is called MultiAccount, which has two buttons on its face. Both the buttons come with a light indicator and each button can be pressed to record the data on its magnetic strip. The name itself is explanatory enough that it will be easy for the user to switch between one card and then the other. It means you will be able to handle multiple accounts from one bank on one card e.g. the personal account and the business account. The second card is called the Hidden card, which features a keypad and six of the digits in the card's unique number. In order to display rest of the digits and make the magnetic strip functional, all you need to do is enter the correct pin. However, after a short while the strip and the numbers will become blank. So, it means, if someone has got your card, it is nothing but an empty plastic accessory for him/her.

Jeff Mullen, CEO of Dynamics says, "These cards are exactly the same size and thickness of a conventional card, and the lithium-polymer battery inside can last four years under high usage. They're also fully waterproof, so you can put them through the washing machine." Dynamics might have been working on this technology for some time now, but there is no definite word on the month and the day, when this technology will hit the markets.

Via: Technologyreview