So the future is here...

According to RIMarkable we can use a BlackBerry device or more specifically turn the SIM card into a MasterCard. Yes now cell phones can be used for purchases instead of having to pull out an actual card:

Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 smartphones are the first SIM-based NFC smartphones to be certified by MasterCard Worldwide asPayPass-approved devices.

The certification was granted on the basis of the BlackBerry® smartphones meeting the functionality, interoperability and security requirements of MasterCard. With this certification, any MasterCard PayPass-issuing bank globally will be able to deploy MasterCard PayPass-enabled accounts to the SIM card of these smartphones.

The ecosystem to allow customers to take advantage of the certified BlackBerry smartphones for NFC payments is already growing. France Telecom – Orange believes that mobile NFC has the potential to enable a new revolution in mobile by further connecting people’s mobile digital world with the physical world around them. France Telecom – Orange is the first operator worldwide to have commercial NFC launches in two countries, UK and France, with trials in several European markets.

It has been talked about in Chicago at least, that the Chicago Transit Authority wants to find a way to allow transit riders to pay their fares with a cellphone. This could be a prelude although it may utilize the same technology as using the phone as a debit/credit card.

BTW, I just learned AT&T will finally have the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 in the near future. I do also like the touchscreen BlackBerry Torch but have really been feeling the new BlackBerry Bold. Then again in a change of pace I want to get my hands on an iPhone 4S. There is a little time for me to decide since I'm looking for the best deal possible.