As of today, Sprint and Nextel customers using certain handsets will have the option to dump their pocket full of change and, with suitably equipped retailers, use their cellphones to make credit card payments.  The software comes courtesy of Pipeline Data and is called Aircharge; once installed on a device it uses Bluetooth to send the credit card details to a vendor’s own handset, where it is validated and charged.  Initially only a number of models by Motorola and Sanyo will be supported.

The full list of handsets includes the Motorola i335, Motorola i580, Motorola i605, Motorola i615, Motorola i870, Motorola i880, Motorola Deluxe ic902, Motorola MOTORAZR V9m, Sanyo SCP-7050, and the newly launched Sanyo PRO-200 and PRO-700 models.  Aircharge is installed over-the-air, and Sprint have confirmed that they’re looking to certify other devices in the future.  Currently Pipeline Data have software clients for multiple handsets, including Treo and J2ME versions.

According to Pipeline Data, the benefits of Aircharge are simplicity and the security of not leaving your card details with a vendor to take away and charge (as would normally happen if, say, they came to your home to sell a product).  Apparently the company has been certified by Motorola and Nextel since early 2001.  All transactions are 128-bit secured.

[via jkOnTheRun]