What is the point of Semble?

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graemeh

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#175630 6-Jul-2015 16:35

I've got Semble setup on my phone with an ASB credit card.

So far I've been unable to use it as the retailers I have shopped at don't have NFC capable terminals.

I'm struggling to see the point of Semble as I still have to carry my physical card.

Semble is cool but as I am still forced to carry my credit card then it seems rather pointless.

Someone please tell me what I'm missing, what does Semble offer me beyond the "cool factor" of paying with my phone?

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#1338016 6-Jul-2015 16:45

Its the first step. Chicken and egg situation with the terminals, as always. Quite a few of the regular places I go for coffee have it, and I use it there. If you go to a new place then its pretty hit and miss as to whether they support it.

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sonyxperiageek

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#1338086 6-Jul-2015 19:05

I've just got Semble up and running on my Z3 and I have to say, some places where I wouldn't expect the shop to have PayWave enabled terminals, actually do!

Still a PITA that Countdown terminals are capable of doing PayWave, but won't, as I make most of my under $80 purchases there!

And to answer your question a bit, it's a foot in the door for this kind of technology. Semble says it hopes to be able to partner with other agencies e.g Auckland Transport, so that you can tag on and off using only Semble!

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kendog

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#1338091 6-Jul-2015 19:17

Maybe when Applepay gets here we will see more terminals.

SheriffNZ

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#1338166 6-Jul-2015 21:51

Most places I shop have payWave. It's great! Shame I have an iPhone 5s so even ApplePay wouldn't work ...

graemeh

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#1338167 6-Jul-2015 21:51

sonyxperiageek: Semble says it hopes to be able to partner with other agencies e.g Auckland Transport, so that you can tag on and off using only Semble!

So like Snapper did years ago on a lot of the Auckland buses?

They might convince AT to have the HOP app on the Semble SIM which would be good.

freitasm

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#1338168 6-Jul-2015 21:55

It really depends on where you are buying. I use it at Countdown, New World, Z, MacDonald's and other places...

The question OP should be asking is not "What is the point of Semble" but "What is the point of contactless payments".

Semble in itself is just an enabler, a platform to get your cards together on a single device. Your problem is the presence of contactless terminals, not the existence of Semble.

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#1338175 6-Jul-2015 22:06

Semble is a technology that will eventually add your physical wallet to the list of things done by your phone. Like this list - Everything From This 1991 Radio Shack Ad You Can Now Do With Your Phone http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-cichon/radio-shack-ad_b_4612973.html

It's started with payments, and it's gone very well for a new technology. They've been testing loyalty offers, and Snapper is coming next.

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#1338176 6-Jul-2015 22:08

kendog: Maybe when Applepay gets here we will see more terminals.

By that time, we will be paying by having Galactic Creds deducted from credit tattoos....

Geektastic

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#1338177 6-Jul-2015 22:11

freitasm: It really depends on where you are buying. I use it at Countdown, Net World, Z, MacDonald's and other places...

The question OP should be asking is not "What is the point of Semble" but "What is the point of contactless payments".

Semble in itself is just an enabler, a platform to get your cards together on a single device. Your problem is the presence of contactless terminals, not the existence of Semble.

I use it where available (contactless payment not Semble) but it does not yet seem particularly widespread.

I only use a couple of cards for 90% of my transactions so 'getting them all in one place" would not, on the face of it at least, be a huge benefit.

jaidevp

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#1338198 7-Jul-2015 00:04

Well we've just launched Snapper with Semble so there is another use. More is coming soon..

reven

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#1338209 7-Jul-2015 06:12

Most places I shop at have paywave, I've gotten to the point where I expect it and sigh whenever I have to insert my card. Its especially annoying when the terminal looks like it has paywave but doesnt.

The countdowns I go to have it, Pak n Saves dont.

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sbiddle

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#1338213 7-Jul-2015 06:44

I'm not sure you'll ever see AT HOP on Semble.

The whole concept of needing a public transport card is a backwards one anyway. AT backed by NZTA backed a loser when they went with the Thales solution anyway - NZTA's closed system is exactly what we won't want in this day in age.

In London you can now use your regular credit card (or Apple Pay as of last week) rather than needing an Oyster card which is awesome news as you no longer need to worry about topping up an Oyster card. This is the way of the future, but don't expect to ever see that anytime soon in Auckland, or anywhere that NZTA are involved in a ticketing solution.

Contactless payments are the future of cash. What we're seeing now is only the beginning.

coffeebaron

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#1338227 7-Jul-2015 07:21

If Semble want to succeed, they need to get standard EFTPOS debit cards on board. Until then, you will never see widespread adoption at places such as your local Dairy or takeaway store etc, due to the Credit Card company merchant fees.

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Geektastic

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#1338316 7-Jul-2015 09:46

Can anyone explain why it is better than just using the card itself?

freitasm

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#1338319 7-Jul-2015 09:49

One less thing to carry
You can protect the phone with a PIN or password
You can turn NFC off and if the phone has a PIN then no one case use it unlike a card that's always active

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