Regular readers know that I’m all in on living a digital life and in particular on getting my everyday carry down to my smartphone (see here and here). This post is a progress report.
Ironically, COVID-19 has helped advance my program. These days, no one wants to handle cash or pass around credit cards so even holdouts like my supermarket (Publix) have enabled Apple Pay. Of course, there isn’t much opportunity to take advantage of that right now with everyone hunkering down at home but once the COVID-19 threat passes, I can probably get by without carrying any credit cards.
That leaves my driver’s license as the only reason to carry a wallet. Happily, Florida is finally moving ahead with their plans for a digital license. According to the press release, Floridians should be able to apply for one sometime in 2021. Once that happens, I should be able to leave my wallet at home.
The only barrier keeping me from realizing my goal of an everyday carry consisting only of my phone is my car. My current car has a fob that allows me to open the door and start the car. There is absolutely no reason this couldn’t be migrated to my phone but the auto manufacturers are making heaving going of the whole thing. Nevertheless, At least some cars in next year’s models with have the ability to open and start the car from a phone.
By the end of next year, I expect that I’ll have reached my goal with, perhaps, the exception of ditching my car keys. That may take a bit longer but it’s coming.