Did you see this news?
NatWest to trial biometric credit card
NatWest is to begin a three-month trial of biometric fingerprint credit cards with 150 customers. The biometric credit cards will offer contactless payments using fingerprint verification for transactions
https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/34546/natwest-to-trial-biometric-credit-card
At the outset, it seems innovative and interesting. I extend my best-wishes to the Natwest team for this new initiative. However, I'm very curious for some details.
Can someone who understands this better, clarify a few points from a technology/feasibility point of view?
1. These cards are not really cards, are they? Won't they be needing a sensor, firmware, memory, computing power and some battery built into them? If yes, it becomes a mini-gadget in itself, not just a Simple-Card.
2. I am assuming that the fingerprint-verification is done at the card and not relayed to the server for a validation.How would one update (or program) his fingerprint into the card? Correct me, if I am missing something.
3. Couldn't this use-case be built into the Mobile App? Isnt it easier to exploit the inbuilt-sensors instead of duplicating resources?