CNET Community Hot Topics weekly newsletter
June 6, 2007
Dear CNET members,
Today when it comes to financial transactions, which range from paying bills to transferring funds, I do almost everything online if it is available. It was only seven or eight years ago that I thought this idea was crazy because I didn't trust anything online, but look at me now! Today in the United States a few financial institutions are taking one step beyond online banking, and that's mobile banking right from your cell phone. This new step of banking is very new to the U.S., but many other countries have adapted to mobile banking and it's become a hit! In the latest Security Watch column, Mobile banking, editor Robert Vamosi brings up many points ranging from early adopters' usage, and natural limitations such as screen size, to typing on a mobile phone and security risks.

Now the question to you is: would you do mobile banking if it was offered to you, or would you avoid it like the plague? Like many of you, I also fear the security risk, but that's what I initially feared with online banking, but eventually over time with the dramatic improvement with online security, I have adapted to online banking and never looked back again. Do you see the same case with mobile banking--where you eventually will trust this added convenience on your phone and adapt to using it? If so, how would you use it? I know many of our readers are from other countries where mobile banking is mainstream and used by the masses. If you are one of those folks, we would love for you to share with us your experience using this feature. Is it safe? What are all the pros and cons of using mobile banking? And for those who won't even consider this feature--tell us your fears and doubts about mobile banking. We are all ears, and I'm really interested in reading what you have to say.

Cheers!
Lee Koo
Manager, CNET community

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This week's hot topic:
Mobile banking
After reading the latest Security Watch column, Mobile banking, we asked if our members would do mobile banking if it was offered to them. Many of our members stopped by to post their two cents.

"It goes far beyond that"
"I'm writing from Turkey, Istanbul. Here Internet bank services are far advanced. Some banks use OTP keys but the new ultimate trend is mobile signature. Once you obtain a mobile signature, you can use the same service at any bank..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member mehmet
"Here is what I think..."
"Well, I think that this should be tackled from more then one direction. First, the cell phone makers need to realize that we need phones with more memory and more processor power then we have now, yet even today some manufacturers still put a..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member vbp1
"Look at Scandinavia"
"Funny to use a number of African countries as an example of mobile banking! Look at Scandinavia and Finland. Here banking over Internet and mobile banking has been very popular already during several years. Probably at least..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member Onmikael
"Too many horror stories"
"NO WAY. I don't handle banking issues in public but I don't pay bills online either. Don't consider it safe enough--hear too many horror stories." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member 1Nana
Speak up!
Now that you've read the latest Security Watch column, what do you think of mobile banking? Are you hip to the idea or do you have your doubts? Is it something you would use right now if it was available to you? Or is this something you wouldn't even consider. Maybe you're a person who is using this feature already--if so tell us all about it. Whatever your reason for or against it, join us and share your opinions on mobile banking.
CNET security resources:
• Security center: How-to
  From CNET Download.com

• Latest news on security threats
  From CNET News.com

• CNET Security Center
  From CNET.com

• Virus & security forum
  From CNET forums

Quick hits
Here are some interesting comments you've recently submitted on CNET. Read up on it and talk about it.

• Do cellular carriers do anything right?
Every cell phone user has sharp opinions about carriers. And from what we can tell, most customers aren't exactly singing praises. Here at CNET, we've spent a lot of time complaining that service providers often do things that don't really benefit their customers, but are carriers really all that bad? There has to be something carriers do right. Or maybe there's one carrier that's better than others. There must be something positive to say. So what do you think? Do carriers do anything right?
• What's your favorite high-def disc?
There may be a format war going on, but that's not stopping plenty of early adopters from enjoying high-definition movies, in Blu-ray or HD DVD. What's your favorite high-def disc?
• What are the pros and cons of plastic cars?
In the latest Car Tech column: The plastic, transparent car, editor Wayne Cunningham writes about the increasing use of plastics in car construction. Would you buy a car with a plastic body?
 
Weigh in on this week's poll:
Do you do online financial transactions (online purchases, paying bills, banking, and so on)?
(Please click on button to vote)

 Yes, I do everything financial
    online. (Everything? Please explain.)
 Yes, but very cautiously.  (How so?)
 Most of the time. (When do you not?)
 Certain things only.  (Please explain.)
 No, I refuse to do so. (Why not?)
 Absolutely not! Finances and online do
    not mix in my world. (Please explain.)
 I would love to, but I'm afraid. (What scares you?)
Last week's poll results 
What do you think is the biggest threat to safe driving?

Crave blogs
Crave is our new blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crush-worthy stuff. Check out some of the latest blogs and comment on this cool gadgetry.


Hot products
Along with discussing mobile banking, CNET members had plenty of new tech products to talk about this week.

Nokia N75
CNET member jharv92 says:
"Now that I have beat up the phone, I will say that Nokia's quality and reception do make it worth considering. My expectations are just too high apparently. I do think Nokia makes a great phone and in some aspects, this is one of them. But it also could be a lot better..." (read more)
See all user opinions | Compare prices

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200
CNET member keberts says:
"Pros: Good build quality (far superior to the W90) with an almost entirely metal case, manual mode a huge plus, other exclusives to the W200: accessory lens mounting ring and Sony's DR Optimizer (it works IMO) Cons:Absolutely pointless to pack 12MP into a camera of this size, image noise issue at times, ISO6400 also a gimmick IMO, lens could be better, but what do you expect? (at least it's..." (read more)
Read all user opinions | Compare prices

iRiver Clix (4GB, second generation)
CNET member pyungwonlee says:
"The Sound: I've followed iRiver for so long because of its deep bass whilst maintaining clear high frequencies or what people like to call treble; SRS WOW is divine audio-candy as well. In comparison to the Ipod, and all its predecessors, this thing is king and Ipod slave. But the D2 puts..." (read more)
See all user opinions | Compare prices


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What should you get for the dad who has everything and the grad who needs everything? Hint: Dad has enough ties; he wants a TV. Get dozens of our top gadget picks for every gift budget. Read more
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