I am reading a fascinating book, “Identity is the New Money,” by David Birch. The book was published three years ago, but I find it extremely relevant today.

I just read this paragraph:

Identity becomes the key to transactions and a crucial individual resource that needs to be looked after by responsible organizations.  We all need to start planning for the transition to identity based transactions.

This triggered a thought – isn’t paying for something or enabling some action via my Apple watch a good example of an identity-based transaction of the type Mr. Birch speaks?  It kind of amazes me that paying via phone or watch is still something of a novelty in many circles.  But for me, I am always on the lookout for somebody that accepts that sort of identity-based transaction.

Here is a list of some of the places where I have recently paid with my Identity via Apple Watch:

• Walgreens (An early adopter – the very first place I used Apple Pay)
• Trader Joe’s
• Whole Grain Bread
• A&P Nursery (the tree and plant kind of nursery)
• Church cafeteria
• Taxi
• Airport news/convenience store
• Gas station / convenience store

It is interesting how often the point of sale clerk will comment on the “high tech” or “newfangled” way I pay. Several times, they have said I was the first person they had seen pay with a watch.

I am really disappointed that the major retailers I often visit – Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Fry’s (Kroger), etc., haven’t jumped on the bandwagon.

I just find it so incredibly easy to pay with my watch – to pay with my identity.  I just wish the pace of adoption would accelerate!