Juggling a phone and a wallet can tug at the seams of pockets, crowd a small purse or occupy more than a single person's two hands. Someday, your phone may be all you need for shopping-scan it over a barcode and payment from your credit card is sent directly to the seller.
Futuristic? For now. But Visa is rolling out a few related credit card applications for smartphones this fall for US-based Chase Manhattan cardholders.
"Alerts" sends a message to your phone every time your credit card is used. Not your transaction? Begin to recoup unauthorized purchases immediately.
"Locator" collaborates with Google Maps to tell you instantly where the nearest ATM machine is.
And, of course, to pay for it all, "Offers" is targeted advertising content sent to your phone.
The Visa services will work on Android and Nokia smartphones, look for them by the end of the year.
