The contactless gloves are on... but they’re missing a few digits
MAGIC GLOVES FOR SMART SHOPPING
CONTACTLESS payments are already mainstream with more than 45million debit and credit cards now in circulation that offer this technology – with the next step being trialled by Barclaycard as a woolly glove.
The contactless technology means you no longer need to go rummaging in your pocket for a card and then put it in a chip-and-PIN reader or sign your name at the checkout. Instead, you simply wave a gloved hand an inch over a payment pad.
Contactless cards have a microchip embedded inside that can be read using radio signals emitted from electronic reader equipment installed at a shop checkout. The main limitation is transaction limits are set at just £20 and typically you can do only about five transactions before being asked for your PIN to stop potential thieves going on a spending spree.
The technology is indicated by a four-line wave symbol on both the card and reader.
The Barclaycard woolly glove looks and feels just like any other – and although it fell short of expectations when shopping on the high street, it was still a great success at keeping hands warm. The only noticeable difference was the square inch sized flat chip in the back of the left glove – which is the microchip used for paying at the checkout.
The ‘tap and pay’ gloves are promoted as ideal for shoppers who do not want to look for their wallet or purse – and are still at the prototype stage. This might explain the technical glitches that meant although it was recognised as a contactless chip, most purchases were declined.
In Kensington High Street, West London, a latte at coffee shop Caffè Nero was the first purchase declined – despite £20 on the card. The same refusal at shops Pret A Manger, Le Pain Quotidien and Crussh. Even fast food restaurant McDonald’s turned me down. The only success was buying a £1 bag of Jelly Babies at a Tesco supermarket and £4.80 for a journey on the underground.
Barclaycard did not like to blame its own technology, but pointed the finger at the pads used by the shops instead. A spokesman said: ‘It is probably something to do with the terminal technology – they are older generation, which need a software update.’
TOMORROW’S WORLD VERDICT: GREAT for keeping hands warm but not for shopping – unless buying Jelly Babies. Not practical in summer or for those who often lose their gloves.