Credit Card, Meet Smartphone

It may be a while yet before you can use your cell phone as a credit card all the time, but Visa's working towards it. Those of you who own Nokia and Android-based phone will soon be able to install a trio of applications that will bring your credit card to your phone just a little bit more.

First up, there's Alerts, which will let you track your card's activity as soon as it happens, so should you find yourself the unfortunate victim of a stolen credit card, you'll be able to block the transaction immediately. Then there's Locator--which is probably the best of the three--that will use Google Maps to tell you where the nearest ATMs are. Finally, Offers will let you receive, well, great offers and other targeted advertising. Right now, these applications will be available to Chase Manhattan card holders in the US.

Google's Android, however, won't need Offers, thanks to ShopSavvy, which uses your Android phone's camera to scan barcodes and search for bargains on the product online and in regular retail stores. It even gives you locations of the stores using Google Maps.

Eventually, Visa hopes to stick near-field communications (NFC) chips into your phone, so you can just wave it like a wand and pay for your purchases, though this will take time.