Plastc unveils new iOS-connected payment card with e-ink touchscreen

The Plastc Card — like previously-announced competitor Coin —  uses a reprogrammable magnetic strip to imitate consumers' existing credit and debit cards. Plastc goes a step further, however, adding NFC, RFID, and chip-and-PIN capabilities.

Users can load virtually any other card into Plastc via the companion Plastc Wallet app and a low-energy Bluetooth connection. In addition to payment cards, the Plastc team says the device can also imitate utility cards, such as RFID-based building access cards.

A built-in e-ink touchscreen, used to choose a card, can also display barcodes. That makes Plastc more useful for those who frequently take advantage of loyalty rewards programs that use small barcode-based cards.

The touchscreen plays another role as well, helping to enhance security by allowing users to lock Plastc with a pin. It can also be used to display the owner's signature and photo ID.

The added functionality does come at the cost of battery life, though the company tries to maximize it by using a light sensor to "turn off" the card while it sits in a wallet. Unlike competitors that last for up to one year, Plastc will need to be recharged approximately once per month using the built-in wireless charging system.

"From the beginning, we focused on making a simple and elegant transactional experience," Plastc co-founder Mark Stubbs said in a release. "We packed Plastc Card with the most advanced technology available and built-in future technology like Chip and PIN and NFC, so the user doesn't have to worry about future payment systems."

Plastc Card is available for pre-order from plastc.com for $155, with shipping slated to begin next summer.