We recently saw a whole batch of great innovations while we were covering the RetailTech 2010 conference for a client. Over the next few days we are going to introduce a selection for you all on this blog.
These days we are weighed down by our numerous e-money IC cards, and it can be hard to keep track how much you have charged on which one. Enter the Relet, a device that quickly tells you how much money you have when you touch it to your card.
While it might not look so sophisticated (though you can mask the device with a choice of four special leather or plastic cases), the makers sensibly have made it compatible with all of the multitude of e-money IC cards in Japan (Waon, Pasmo, Suica, Nanaco, Edy etc), so whatever one you use you can always find out the charge remaining.
It is actually a little bit bulky and the idea of carrying one around might be off-putting for some consumers. However, we suspect it won’t be too long before this technology is integrated directly into your wallet or bag.
On sale from April 1, the Relet is priced a rather high 8,379 JPY ($90), plus extra for the cases, and the makers hope to shift 25,000 units in the first year.
William is Editor of JapanTrends.com and a Project Manager at 
This is a real good idea, will be awesome you could check your Suica/Pasmo or bank account, anyway when they can produce so flat oled screens I think they will integrate in the cards, so you’ll check in the card.
Actually there is a Japanese patent about e-paper IC cards, that if implemented would allow such cards to directly display their balance on the card’s surface. The small current used by NFC is enough for the e-paper display to get passively updated.
So while this gizmo looks cool, it’s already an obsolete tech ☺
@Julien
Because there’s a patent for e-paper IC cards, this product is obsolete? lol
There are patents for multitudes of things that never get made, or take years to materialize. This product solves a current problem that is not being solved by other means. Seems like the opposite of “obsolete” to me.
err.. 8,379 yen is no where near $270… which is it?
it’s a great idea. I can really see it taking off once the price lowers. Sure doesn’t seem to be worth $90.
Look forward to the days when this actually becomes built into the pasmos and suicas. Be interested to know what kind of people would be willing to pop $90 as an early adopter though.
i’ll pass(mo). wonder if this part of the payola 2.0