The week before the much-awaited presidential inauguration that brought confident and hopeful smiles to every Filipino, I was privileged to be presented with a vision that I personally think would create a big impact not to mention great convenience to every Filipino.

Gemalto, the world's leader in digital security has been developing software applications used for services in telecommunication, identity and access management, IT security, banking and financial services, mass transit, etc. All these services are aimed primarily to make our interaction with the "digital world" (when using our secured personal devices like SIM cards, credit cards, ATM cards, etc) safe and convenient. On last week's Tech News, We were given a bird's eye-view of what Gemalto has to offer starting off with the customized payment cards. Moving on and beyond that is their vision of what I consider ultimate convergence.

I remember how impressed I was with Hong Kong's multitudinous yet surprisingly comfortable and easy transportation system. Residents and visitors alike would swear how convenient their transport system is especially the use of their octopus card. For those not familiar, the Octopus card is a contactless smart card or value card that started with Hong Kong's desire to make life easier for their daily commuters.

With just a single card, commuters will have access to all Hong Kong's public transport like the MTR, local ferries, buses and minibuses. It saves time as it eliminates the commuter's need to find exact change for their daily commute. It later on expanded its application to retailers as it can now be used for purchases in establishments like 7 Eleven, KFC, McDonalds, Watson's Chemist, Delifrance, etc.

Putting it simply, the above mentioned exemplifies convergence and this is what Gemalto is aiming for. They gave us a very vivid description by just using the most widely used (and seem to can't live without) personal device, the mobile phone. With the use of a certain secured SIM (and in the future maybe a memory card), the mobile phone can be converted to a contactless device that the subscriber can just easily “swipe” and use for payment, ticketing, transport and banking. Banks, transport companies, retailers and other services will all be incorporated in just one device with no worries. Soon, this "contactless" technology with the use of the mobile phone will surely open doors for other services to come in and join the fun.

Personally, I find the whole concept liberating because needless to say, it is definitely very convenient. Imagine all the services one can get in just one device. It could definitely take a lot of load off and I mean literally take the load off from carrying a lot of plastics and cash on your wallet and this thought is just a small part of a bigger picture.

But of course, being new to this “contactless technology”, there will always be issues about trust or how secure and safe it will be considering cellphone theft will always be there. Nevertheless, Gemalto promises an end-to-end confidentiality and security with these applications and with regards to cellphone theft, all applications can only be accessed with a PIN that only the subscriber knows.

So, I guess in a way the use of such technology will be the same as how we treat and secure well our credit/debit and ATM cards. I believe this issue is more of a two-way thing, the promise of security on one end and responsibility on the other end. So, as our nation slowly moves towards great progress and freedom, let us remember and keep in mind what our recently inaugurated President has said, "We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment. A nation where everyone will say, "it all works"…

Just imagine what it would be like.