Technology is an interesting thing. I’m all for it, but sometimes I wonder if we’re wasting our time with certain things instead of focusing on something that will actually do the world some good.

What am I talking about?

Korea has just released a credit card embedded with a 2-gigabyte flash memory chip that stores multimedia on it. Cardholders must currently slide the card into a terminal to view their stored media; however, Korea hopes to fine tune it enough to play directly on the credit card within two years. The terminal device houses the monitor, playback buttons, and a USB slot that allows users to charge the terminal and connect their credit card to a computer.

Those with this new credit card can also download certain public information by tapping the card against the card bank’s ATM. Apparently the card is PIN-protected so it is “safe” to store personal information like passwords and user ids.

The reports I read didn’t give much information on if there was a difference in how the credit card worked, but I’m guessing that part of it is still intact. The big deal is the chip that stores media on it. I don’t really get the point of this, though. I mean, I’ve never had the urge to whip out my credit card and watch a movie on it. Who comes up with this stuff?

What’s more, you have to pay for this little convenience. The card and terminal together will run you about $225…more than an iPod (some of them, anyway). I don’t know, I say leave social media out of credit cards. That seems like a very dangerous practice and we’re just opening ourselves up to more trouble than it’s worth to sit and listen to our credit card belt out tunes. Maybe I’m just a dinosaur that way. But, outside of that, it’s spending unnecessary money. We can already view our media from out computers, phones, iPods and MP3 players, and even our TVs. Credit cards don’t need to be added to the list.

Anyone else find this really weird? Would you buy one of these? I know some of the techies out there would enjoy it just because of the challenge the technology presents. But, looking at it from a regular consumer’s standpoint, what’s the point of this technology? Is it just because it’s “cool,” and if so, is that really the most responsible way to use our knowledge of technology?

Let’s discuss.

Related posts:

1. Smart Credit Cards 101: Chip-and-PIN FAQs
2. Futuregoof: 4 Grand Frustrations in Credit Card Technology
3. The World’s First Biometric Credit Card
4. Credit Card Review: The New Face of the Discover® More(SM) Card
5. The ‘Credit Card for Newbies’ Guide (Part 1)