Rotorua Westpac customers have had a glimpse of what mobile banking will look like with the latest wearable technology.
A Google Glass demonstration was held this week as part of the bank's national roadshow - giving a handful of Rotorua customers an opportunity to try them on and experience a prototype of the Cash Tank app specifically designed for the glasses.
Manager of Westpac online operations Andrew Phillips said the bank wanted to be prepared as mobile banking was growing with 60 per cent of New Zealanders accessing their accounts on their mobile phones and the number of tablet owners growing each year. "For us, we're not saying you need this but this is the next big thing and we're wanting to be ready for our customers with this banking app," Mr Phillips said.
The glasses are voice activated and can be used on their own or paired with a mobile device to strengthen the 3G signal. Users can scroll through a menu by swiping their finger alongside their temple or moving their head up or down. Easy voice commands through the Cash Tank app can instantly offer options such as viewing bank account balances, transferring money and finding the closest ATM.
"Security is as important to us as it is to our customers. It has to be safe as we're dealing with people's money so we will not be putting this on the market unless we are completely confident of the security," Mr Phillips said.