Just as the internet changed the way millions of Britons shop and bank, a host of developers and companies are rushing to let us do all of that – and more – from our phones.
, 9:26, Thursday 16 June 2011
Getting a waiter's attention before you can pay the bill and leave a restaurant could about to be a thing of the past.
In a world first, Pizza Express is letting people pay using their smartphone, straight from the table, using a code they're given when they place their order.
If it proves a hit, they're unlikely to be the only restaurant to roll out this feature.
How it works
First you get given a code with your order, you need to ask for two if you plan to split the bill, then you can simply type this into the new Pizza Express app to check your bill and pay - adding a tip if you like.
You can also use any discount vouchers or codes you have when paying with your phone — saving the potential embarrassment of looking for a voucher at the table.
Next log into PayPal, enter you card details, then press "pay now". You get sent an email with a receipt in it to confirm you've paid.
You can see how the app works — along with its other features — in the video at the bottom of the page.
Phones looking more like wallets by the day
The new way to pay is just the latest move to make your phone the centre of your financial life as well as you social one.
More than a million Brits are already signed up to PayPal's smartphone app — which allows you to send money from your account to another person or business straight from your phone.
Orange users with the right handset can pay for goods and services up to £15 by simply tapping their phone on one of 50,000 "wave and pay" readers across the county.
First Direct is one of several banks with smartphone applications, and lets you transfer money as well as check your balance and view your recent transactions.
A host of other applications let you find nearby discounts, cash machines, check prices of items in shops, save on phone bills and keep track of your spending - all on your phone. There are even apps that let you borrow money, promising to deliver it into your bank account within 15 minutes.
And earlier this month another new service was launched, letting people earn money by simply walking into a shop.
But is it safe?
There are two main dangers with using your phone for financial reasons. Firstly, how safe are the applications?
While app stores will remove fraudulent applications pretty fast, you need to be sure anything you download is from a trusted source. There is also a question of how easy it is to hack into them and take data. In this respect, using a brand you already trust can help.
The second risk is that someone could steal your phone, gaining access to data and logins you store on it— regardless of the app. Don't keep passwords or logins on your handset if possible.
If your phone is stolen, there's an app for that. MobileMe lets you track a lost or stolen iPhone or iPad on a map, as well as remotely lock it or even wipe it, if the worst should happen. WaveSecure will let you do this on an Android phone.
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