Japanese mobile phones turn into mobility phones

Another day, another addition to mobile phone functionality. This Japanese poster advertises SuiCa phones. SuiCa means Super Urban Intelligent CArd, and around 8 million Japanese use it to for train and underground rides, and for purchasing items at station shops.

It's a contactless card, you only have to swipe it across the turnstile, ticketing machine or cash register. So why not build the SuiCa chip into a mobile phone? Here they are, six models from two manufacturers.

Not sure when you can buy concert tickets with these but by the time that happens the only thing you need for a Norah Jones concert is a SuiCa phone with a lighter wallpaper.