- Stages of Adoption
When I was a little girl most people used cash to pay for items. In fact, debit cards were not even invented. You either had a credit card, which was rare, or you had cold hard cash. As I got older, I started to see new inventions. By time I became an adult banking had changed drastically. Credit cards are now being promoted in new ways and almost anyone over the age of 18 is qualified for credit. Debit cards are in everyone’s wallet. It was to my surprise that technology had advanced so much that people are now able to pay for their store items without cash, a credit card, or a debit card…all you need is your phone! My discovery of contactless payments came when I was in a store and realized I forgot my wallet at home. The cashier asked if I had Apple or Google pay. I said, “What’s that”? I was able to download the Google Pay App and pay for my food by pressing my phone against the card reader. I was in Awe! I have to say, I didn’t even think twice before going straight to the confirmation stage of the adoption process. I have been a Google user for many years and I put my trust in the company everyday of my life. So, my decision to use Google Pay was a no brainer.
- Adopter Categories
When I got home I was so eager to tell my children of the new invention I discovered at the store. Of course, they’re teenagers, so no one was home yet. But, as soon as they walked through the door I explained what I had experienced. To my surprise, no one was impressed. They are iPhone users and explained to me that they’ve been using Apple Pay for years. I felt old. Why didn’t I know about contactless payments? It was obvious that my kids were early adopters and I was in the late majority. I figure, the reason behind my late adoption stage has to do with social media. Yes, I use social media, but not to the extent of it taking over my life. My kids are on IG, Tiktok, Youtube, and everything else all day long. They use these social media platforms with their friends and cousins. So, of course they knew about contactless payments before me. Kids today aren’t qualified to apply for a credit or debit card without their parent’s permission. But, they can easily download an App and set up an Apple Pay account. My son showed me a teenage YouTuber and all he talked about was Apple Pay. They are well versed in the social media age we live in today. I, on the other hand, would rather watch a television program than log into my IG account.
Now, if this topic was on Music Streaming Platforms, I would be an early adopter. I absolutely LOVE music. It’s something I can’t live without. I found out about music streaming as soon as it was available. When it comes to music, I am always on the internet looking for different ways to find the songs I love to listen to. The kids may be ahead of me with various new inventions like creator apps and gaming, but they will never beat me in Music!
So far I have not started using contactless payment but I believe that all smartphones will include banking apps which will by default include such methods built in. Essentially apps such as wells fargo will give out digital credit cards rather than physical ones as the default standard.
I’ve been a big fan of contactless payment, especially Apple Pay. It’s convenient to have so many useful features on your phone and reducing the size of your wallet. In many states, you can also keep your car insurance card on a phone instead of having a physical copy in your vehicle at all times. There was also some recent news that a handful of states will begin issuing digital driver’s licenses with the help of Apple and TSA will permit them to be used for air travel. Now you just have to make sure you don’t lose your phone!