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Companies are lining up to allow mobile phone users to use their mobiles for everyday purchases.

Chiltern Railways are in the middle of a trial allowing mobile phone users to buy Eday tickets, for certain journeys, from their website.  The customer receives a barcode via text message, train staff then check the barcode using adapted scanners to verify the mobile ticket.  Chiltern Railways are hoping that this will provide a cheaper and easier way for commuters buy and use tickets.  Future developments include installing a scanning machine at Marylebone Station so customers can check their own barcodes.

However Japan are leading the way in this field.  DoCoMo, the leading Japanese Mobile phone operator, has 19 million mobile users who are able to use their ‘Osaifu-Ketai’ mobiles to make purchases at over 200,000 stores.  Users add E-money to their mobile account, and when you want to make a purchase the handset is swiped over a reading device in store, it deducts the correct amount from your account meaning users are free from carrying cash and credit cards. 

More recently DoCoMo have teamed up with McDonalds enabling users to pay with their mobiles, again the handsets will be scanned by new devices in the fast food outlets.  McDonalds are hoping that this move will reduce the amount of time spent with customers which in turn increase sales.  The joint venture is set to launch in July 2007.

So it looks like your mobile phone will be able to play MP3’s, take megapixel pictures, call your mum and pay for your Big Mac!