This document discusses smart cards, including their history, components, applications, and future uses. Smart cards contain embedded microchips that can store data and be used for various applications like payments, identification, and transportation ticketing. They provide security benefits over magnetic stripe cards. Some key uses mentioned include banking/finance, mobile phones, transportation, ID cards, and future growth areas like contactless services. By 2020, it is estimated there will be 20 billion smart secure devices in use globally across many industries.