Here it is – the highly-anticipated iCarte 420A case (note: link points to the 420 model, not 420A) for Commonwealth Bank of Australia Kaching iPhone application.
This add-on accessory, ordered in-app (billed via BPay) and delivered directly to the account owner, allows CBA NetBank customers to perform MasterCard PayPass transactions wherever this (increasingly popular) payment method is offered by merchants.
The slick retail packaging, quality out-of-box experience (OOBE), and simple installation screams Apple/iDevice. Indeed, the box would look quite at home on the shelf at the Apple Store here in Sydney CBD. 
Questions? Please feel free to ask in the comments section, below.
DISCLOSURE: I am a CBA employee. Any of my thoughts and observations shared here are my personal opinions and not necessarily representative of my employer. The case shown in these images was supplied to me at no charge for use during the pilot/testing phase of the Kaching application development.
Hi there,
I am wondering, since I have Visa credit card and not MasterCard, will I able to use this app + iCarte?
Thanks
You’ll still be able to use the app, yes, and the CBA Visa card will appear alongside your other CBA accounts. However, you will not be able to enable PayPass (actually, Visa PayWave) functionality for your non-PayWave CBA Visa card. If that functionality is important to you, you may want to consider getting a CBA debit or credit MasterCard.
what’s the cable for? ty
Oh – thanks for the question. Should have pointed that out. The iCarte 420A has an industry-standard micro-USB port on the base. The included USB to micro-USB allows charge and sync functions while the iPhone is still in the case. Cheers
Great post! Thanks for sharing pictures which are really good. How’s feel with the iphone in the case? Will the case draw power from the iphone directly and kill the battery quicker?
Hello. Thanks for the feedback. The case is actually relatively thin and does not add considerable bulk to the handset IMHO. It actually “rounds off” the sharp edges of the iPhone 4/4S and I’d say it gives it a very nice feeling. Your mileage may vary – it’s a personal thing of course.
Yes, the iCarte 420A does draw power from the battery. That said, even when testing heavily (eg PayPass rampage through Westfield
) I did not notice any impact to battery life. The case draws between 5mA and 90mA depending on what it’s doing.
Looks good. One thing though, I currently keep my Go Card (QLD public transport RFID card) in my iPhone case sandwiched between the case and the phone, and tap on and off buses with the phone.
Would you still have room to so that with the iCarte, and do you think the 2 systems would interfere with each other, like the people who have a dozen RFID cards in their wallet and when they try to touch on, the card reader goes bezerk?
Helo, Shi
I haven’t tried building “RFID sandwiches” with the 420A myself. Perhaps someone else has? Please post a quick comment if you have with any observations.
Where can you purchase additional micro USB cables?
Any half-decent computer or electronics will stock them (even Dick Smith & Jaycar). They come in a variety of lengths and are priced from a few dollars upwards.
The type you’re after is “USB B Male to Micro-USB A Male”.
Here’s a link to staticice.com.au which will give you an idea http://is.gd/USBBMale_to_MicroUSBAMale
Is there any way to get this simply for RFID/NFC non-paying usages? Such as starting a car & unlocking a door keylessly?
It does not look like iCarte has an app for these usages, however there are numerous other vendors that do (lockitron.com, http://www.viper.com/SmartStart/, and so on…).
Hi,
Thanks for the review. Can I leave the 420 attached permanently to my phone and still use the normal charge cable that came with the phone. Reason is I use the phone for internet and charge it at the same time off the laptop. Given the cable that is supplied I suspect not, but I just want to fully understand the implications on the iCarte before purchasing.
Thanks
Tim
Tim – the iCarte 420A is supplied with a micro-USB to USB charge and sync cable. It works just fine for internet tethering, iTunes syncing etc. Cheers.
Hi!
I was recently looking at this case and I’m wondering, since I have a youth saver account, can I use this case for paypass? And also, where do you buy the case?
Thanks!
You’ll need a CBA MasterCard card with the PayPass logo to use the PayPass functionality in Kaching. While your normal (green) debit KeyCard will appear in the Kaching app, you won’t be able to use it for PayPass.
The case is ordered directly from inside the app. Once you have set up an account with a MasterCard card (debit or credit) there will be a “Set Up PayPass” button below it – from which you can order the case.
Hope this helps.
Hi, I’m trying to source a few of these – where can they be bought from? I’ve tried calling and emailing the company and holding company but no reply.
Thanks
@Ricky If you’re over 16 you’re eligible for a debit MasterCard which has paypass.
Hope that helps
@ozdj I’m guessing this will be a no, but is it possible to place the iPhone in a dock while this case is attached, and not lose any functionality ie. Charging, playing music etc?
Either way I’m really looking forward to getting a 4S now
Hi I tried to setup the iCarte out of the box, and kept getting a message that the service was not available and try later. I happened to leave the iCarte connected to the computer. And thought when found this site, would give another try, it has now allowed to setup/install. I thought perhaps it needed charge but it draws power from the phone itself. So I am at a loss, but it appears now working…:)
This is so cool. I want to try this. I am so interested and i can’t wait to get my hands on this.
Hi, I currently have an otterbox protective case on my phone. when I drop it it bounces. How protective is the icaarte case?
There is little mention anywhere that the Katching+ICarte solution requires an Internet connection initially to actually open. This is highly inconvenient when you standing waiting for Katching to actually open to make a payment – rather than tapping your phone agains the terminal then walking away.
Not every merchant offering PAY PASS / VISA WAVE is located in good 3G coverage, Not to mention the over saturated cell towers at malls.
The NFC in your phone is a brilliant idea – however for it be practical and replace having to carry a wallet / bank card, it needs to just work – Internet / No Internet.
If I had known this prior – I would have never wasted my money buying what appears to be a very expensive iphone cover.