Blinger portable ATM isn't at all relevant, handy

Every so often, a gizmo crosses our path that truly makes us question the thought process of its creator(s). This particular Friday, that gizmo is the Blinger. This so-called "portable ATM" apparently enables users to whip out an oversized, one-trick-pony of a device and instantly send cash for wares, check your current level of fundage, calculate currency conversions and wonder why on earth they haven't invented this thing called "online banking." Oh, wait.

[Via InventorSpot]

[Satish @ Feb 1st 2008 11:47AM]

Does that pop-out cash whenever required like an old Polaroid Camera ...;-) lol....

hmmm seems like they cramped Yodlee web-site into a Gadget..

[DonatoM3 @ Feb 1st 2008 11:54AM]

Imagine if someone were to invent "MOBILE online banking". Oh wait...

[Fred @ Feb 1st 2008 11:57AM]

Yeah, but it looks CRUNK!

[Tracy in Cary @ Feb 1st 2008 12:14PM]

Hey this is cool. Instead of robbing someone at an ATM and having them get me $300, I can hold a gun to their head and have them check their balance first. Then wire ALL their cash to a shell account. Plus no ATM camera to worry about.

[Nicholas @ Feb 1st 2008 12:27PM]

I, for one, would be interested in this product/service. I don't trust mere cellphone/pda security for this type of transaction. Something that had a easy gui would give me quick access to my accounts would be worthwhile. Think about a future with no paper currency and I could easily shift my money from interest bearing accounts to checking accounts to handle any particular transaction. Would wind up making me a LOT of $$$

[Allen @ Feb 1st 2008 12:46PM]

Nicholas: this uses the same wireless transmitting protocols as a cell phone, PDA, or Smart Phone. Its basically a blackberry but only for banking, which your blackberry can do as well.

So its just as easily hackable as a Smart Phone. But then again, those are not hacked every day either, seems like whenever something like this does happen it makes national headlines, and last I heard, there were only a few (I think 7 or so) cases of mobile phone hacking to result in loss of funds by a victim last year.

Now think of how many people get ripped off by pickpockets DAILY in New York, hell even a backwater place like Kansas City. Seems kinda small, this digital theft, by comparison huh?

[BigD145 @ Feb 1st 2008 12:52PM]

I would love it if everyone used these. Mine would be hacked in the first month and spoofing everyone else's accounts.

[Krismet @ Feb 1st 2008 1:14PM]

If the Blinger and the Roomba got in a fight, the Roomba would kick its crazy calculator ass.
For reals though, what bank in it's right mind would allow this random to connect to their network?

[JTM @ Feb 1st 2008 2:00PM]

Blinger makes me want to throw up

[Badwolf @ Feb 1st 2008 2:02PM]

I searched on Blinger and found this:
"A Blinger is somebody who spends money foolishly on fancy but worthless items such as spinner wheels." ...or in this case a pocket ATM

[skulldriveshaft @ Feb 2nd 2008 3:28AM]

Those pizza delivery guys with their wireless credit card and interac machines have been around for a bit.

SIM cards in all, it's the same as any other terminal, there is a terminal id, a central server, money is transfered back and forth, sounds reasonable.

This would just make it a personal service instead of a commercial service.

Maybe quite a bit ahead of it's time, but will definitely happen in the future.