Although a brand that leaves me feeling a little cold, despite powering ageadin the music stakes, O2 is beginning to really impress me with its approach to new ideas and technology whilst the competition is left behind - I’ve been a staunch supporter of Orange for over 10 years, but I’m beginning to feel unloved when I can’t access VIP areas at the O2!!!
Anyway, back to the point. O2 have selected 500 customers to trial a new scheme that will enable a Nokia handset installed with an O2 wallet to be used to pay for purchases, access events and travel around London on their Oyster cards, using Near Field Communications technology.
Speaking to a friend last night this is already something that is being done in other countries, such as Hong Kong, where it is called an Octopus card; very easy to use, accepted across a number of places and therefore very successful.
O2 has partnered with some very big names, all of whom I would imagine are very eager to see how this works. Transport for London, AEG, Visa Europe and Barclaycard are all involved, with Barclaycard loading £200 of funds onto each handset. Retailers signed up include Books Etc, Coffee Republic and Yo! Sushi.
This convergence of technology and multi-use is one of the examples where everyday life can be greatly enhanced via what is essentially a very simple idea, and I think this is one area where mobile handset brands can make a great difference - making everyday life simpler in small ways, and therefore adding value.