The Commonwealth Bank wasn’t letting too many details slip about the NFC-enabled case it’ll sell to customers at yesterday’s Kaching launch. A quick hands-on shows the manufacturer, as well as how it’ll handle the issue of charging while in its case.
The case in question is the iCarte 420 (or presumably the iCarte 110 for 3GS owners, although I didn’t spot any of those yesterday). It’s a two-part snap-on case in basic black that hooks into the Apple dock connector for power.
In order to be able to charge the phone, a microUSB port at the base allows for charging. As yet, the Commonwealth Bank hasn’t revealed how much the iCarte cases will cost; while the Kaching service itself and the associated app will be free, it would be surprising for it to offer them up for nothing.
I was told yesterday that it would “most likely” cost “around the same price as a normal iPhone case”. That gives a range of anywhere from $5 to $100, though.
Steve B
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 1:04 PMThat last image of the 4S might not be a problem. The website (cba) listed the 4 and 4S separate. Hopefully that means they have both and the silent toggle wont be an issue.
LexMedia Australi
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 1:49 PMGreat coverage on the Kaching launch Giz.
We wrote an article recently on why this type of solution is unlikely to work. In our minds, the most successful implementations will emerge from ecosystem providers, i.e. Google/Apple/Microsoft/Nokia. See: http://www.lexmedia.com.au/2011/10/mobile-nfc-technology-what-will-market.html
Johnd
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 1:59 PM“while the Kaching service itself and the associated app will be free”
This is certainly wrong. Have you ever known a bank these days to offer a service for “free”. The Kaching service will undoubtedly have a transaction fee associated with it, though it may be hidden amongst the normal bunch of transaction fees that lurk within every bank.
Axe
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 2:28 PMAs a CBA employee,
the Kaching service will be included within the usual 4 or 6 dollar a month account keeping fee, which is waived if 2000 dollars is deposited within the month, or you have a relationship balance with the Bank.
The Commonwealth Bank has already experimented with charges on electronic banking in the past and learnt its lesson.
JohnD, does any bank in Australia charge you to use contactless payment now with your debit card?? NO, so it will be the same.
johnd
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 11:08 PMYep, there is a fee. It might not be specifically called a Kaching fee, but it is a transaction fee.
And, yes, all banks that allow you to use the contactless payment method charge a transaction fee. Not a single one is free.
Certainly not the CBA, which is the worst offender at front loading fees onto services.
Axe
Friday, October 28, 2011 at 8:04 PMJohn mate,
what fee are you talking about? are you actually a CBA customer? have a look at your statements, transaction fees haven’t existed since 2008.
Now you just have a monthly account keeping fee (unless you qualify for one of the numerous exemptions). the average working australian is no longer charged a monthly account keeping fee because of the 2000 dollar deposit waiver.
If you are being charged fees mate, go to a bank and get it sorted, cause it is obvious that you must be on a very old account and have never read any of your messages on your statements or internet banking telling you to swap to one of the new accounts.
Or else you are just a troll, that loves to watch today tonight and bag out the banks, without evidence.
Kirt ODea
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 2:14 PMMost of CBA’s online service is free providing you have the right account (which once again will only cost $4 a month if you are over 21) so i dont see it having any extra charges being that they want to lead the way in technology First bank with real time banking (free) and first bank to take on NFC
johnd
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 11:11 PMYou are kidding, right? I suggest you look closely at your statements. There are account transaction fees, and the CBA offers no account type that does not have these fees loaded onto it. They are just creative in what they call them.
Like all banks, the CBA is dishonest in how it presents it’s fees. I suggest you do some research rather than just regurgitate the company line.
poppy1982
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 9:48 AMJohnd maybe you should just not use this service, keep you money under your mattress no fees there, im sure you will be happy to deal only in cash.
bolagnaise
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11:47 AMI bet my account fee AXE, KIRT ODEA and POPPY1982 are the same person working for CBA’S PR division.
Axe
Friday, October 28, 2011 at 8:05 PMi wish i could work in PR mate, for the money those guys earn with doing very little work haha, but sadly i would never do a PR degree, it is the ultimate waste of time.
poppy1982
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 12:22 PMYep i am the same person not PR though, im sorry johnd im a NOOB at posting i dont want to look like i was trying to gang up just didnt realise my first post would load as kirt odea dont really want my full name splattered all other the net too late i guess. I just wanna use a cardless system wether its google, ANZ or commonwealth bank that do it, i dont care as long as i can use my phone as my wallet im happy Sorry poor net knowledge all future post will be poppy1982
poppy1982
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 12:41 PMsorry to clarify axe is seperate sorry
Jason Lewis
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 1:19 PMI just got the kaching app. the iCarte case costs $49.95 + $5.00 for delivery in case anyone is wondering. that seems a little on the high side to me.
Also, it covers the normal charging socket of your iphone and replaces it with a micro usb socket.
Liz
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 10:46 PMThe icarte case costs $54.95au
Liz
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 10:46 PMThe icarte case costs $54.95
Mike
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 10:16 AMA pity I have just been given an ibookbook case for my iphone so I wont be able to use the icarte case – have to wait for iphone 5 as it will have NFC /RDIF readers in built.
Andrew
Monday, December 26, 2011 at 12:40 AMJohnd: you are a troll. You never get charged “per transaction”. Instead you pay a monthly fee. Get out from under that rock and get your facts straight.