Smart money: Japan's old-fashioned notions about money are evaporating one innovation at a time. Although people are getting used to carrying around cash that they can't see, managing those funds often involves a trip to a convenience store or a bank. Sony Corp. will relieve some of that hassle next month when it releases the PaSoRi RC-S330 smart-card reader/writer.
The updated Sony device works with FeliCa-system electronic money devices, which Sony developed. Now available in some cell phones but most commonly used in card form, FeliCa is a contactless RFID system that encompasses among others in Japan the Suica and Pasmo public-transport cards and Edy and Nanaco e-money cards. In order to have money (or shopping points) added or subtracted, the card or mobile phone must be brought close to an appropriate reader/writer, such as at a ticket gate.
The PaSoRi acts as one of these reader/writers, connecting via USB to a PC. A FeliCa user simply places their card atop the PaSoRi and can then securely carry out online transactions, such as Internet shopping or recharging their train pass or e-money cards. Information such as maps can also be transferred to a FeliCa-capable mobile phone via the PaSoRi. As well, it can be used with PlayStation 3 game consoles to pay for online gaming.