Gift Card developments in 2010

Gift Cards need new technology

Time to add new features to gift cards

There can be no argument that gift cards have made massive leaps in technology over the last 5 years. The industry is a massive multi-billion dollar juggernaut and people across the globe are comfortable using gift cards. There are, however, some improvements that could help the gift card industry.

Some of the develoments that we will discuss are likely too futuristic but why not have some fun. One idea, how about an LED display built into the card that shows the amount of money remaining on the card? If wrist watches have calculators on them and cost $4.99 one must think that the technology exisits to put very low cost screens on the gift cards. No one likes to be embarrassed by using a gift card that has far less value on it than they actually expect.

How about a gift card that is 100% universal? Certainly visa gift cards and american express gift cards can be used in thousands of stores and restaurants but what about a card that is 100% universal. That would be quite and accomplishment!

These ideas may be far fetched but now is the chance to dream. Gift cards are wonderful but they could use some advances.