I keep seeing ads for minimalist wallets popping up all over my
Facebook feed. Most of them are really slick looking, often using
aluminum and leather to provide a slim yet sturdy wallet for
holding an ID and a few credit/debit/loyalty cards. This shows
me that entrepreneurs ARE thinking about
wallets in the modern
world, but they're also missing out on a real opportunity here.
I recently started using a trifold wallet with a chain, which I really
like because I can take the wallet out of my back pocket when I
sit down and set it next to me, in a cup holder if I'm in the cab or
or on a desk or countertop if I'm inside, and don't have to worry
about accidentally walking away from it. Because it snaps closed
with buttons, it won't dump the contents if it gets yanked out of
the car or off a surface and swings down against my leg. It's
great, and I can't believe I just now discovered the utility of such a
wallet. This has made me aware of two things, regarding wallets:
they can be a great fashion accessory, and they can also be used
for a bit more than just carrying stuff.
Browsing the Bakery, I came across the Web Wallet which is
interesting, but a bit much for a wallet and had issues with things
like privacy and probably durability making the whole thing out of
flexible screen material.
Browsing the internet, I came across something called the
"Wonder wallet" which is a rigid, aluminum box-type wallet that
basically ONLY holds a few cards and has an e-paper display that
pairs with a smartphone app to show cool images based on your
location, and notifies you if you walk away from it. I like some of
the ideas here, BUT it's still too limited for my liking.
What I'd like is a line of chain wallets, could be available in bifold,
trifold, ultra-minimalist, etc, with just a narrow LCD panel along
the edge of the closure, maybe an inch wide. Some models could
have a square or circular display centered on the wallet. It would
basically work like those smart cases Samsung and LG offer for
their flagship phones, the ones that close over the screen with a
cutout showing just a small portion of the phone's display when
closed. A clock, an interactive weather display, notifications,
maybe just a still photograph. It could come in a cheap, dumbed
down version with JUST a clock that'll last a week or more on a
charge, or it could pair with a smartphone through Bluetooth with
a companion app and function like a smart watch does.
The idea is that when you take your wallet out to sit somewhere,
that large square/rectangular surface, in addition to looking nice
like a luxury wallet does, could display something useful and
maybe help reduce the need to keep one's phone in hand quite so
much.