M.E. likes this concept from California State University Long Beach student Eric MacDonald. The project was sponsored by Samsung America for the 2009 senior class of CSULB.
Responding to the open-ended brief to research and design a consumer electronic for the year 2020, MacDonald chose to tackle the issue of overflowing and bulky wallets, as well as the large amount of plastic that is produced everyday in creating credit cards; and came up with the Monere Digital Wallet.
The goal was not to create just another electronic device for your pocket, but integrate all of the seperate items that fill up our wallets into one object. The user would directly connect it to their computer to upload data to the device; from personal to business, medical to entertainment information. Additionally, the wallet was designed to be an interactive tool and not just a storage system. For instance, MacDonald envisaged electronic purchases too - eliminating the need for a range of seperate credit or debit cards. Just as most companies have turned to paperless billing, This device would provide them with the ability to give credit cards without the plastic.
The user would activate the device by sliding the protective cover forward in a familiar sweeping motion and by placing the thumb on the scanner, the payment method can be made. A touch screen allows user to interact in a familiar way and we think this sense of familiarity is married well with future technology.
The overall size of the device came from the standard credit card size, as most wallets are usually built around its dimensions, and recognising that cash is currently king, and will probably remain so for some time, MacDonald also included a quick release clip for large amounts of bills to be held tight when pushed closed. If folded once, bills become part of the products silhouette and when folded twice the bills are hidden behind the interface.
The problem with designing a digital wallet is that it becomes more valuable to the individual user after purchase. Placing the thumb scan action second to the slide, gives the feeling of safety and security. When the slide cover is down, the user physically turns the device off. The slide movement was inspired from the universal sign for money: rubbing your thumb back and fourth across your index finger.
