Card Reader

Like a psychic with tarot cards. Also, a way to pay for things...a very important device in today's world. More and more people rely on credit and debit cards to make purchases (as opposed to old fashioned cash that your grandpa uses). Whether it's an automatic teller machine (ATM) at your bank or a point-of-sale terminal at a store or gas station, card readers transmit the information that's on a magnetic strip and/or microchip on the credit or debit card.

If you are making a purchase, the name on the card, the account number, the expiration date and the validation code are sent to a payment processor. If you are using an ATM, the info gets sent to your bank.

Also, many electronic devices, such as an iPad or smartphone, can be used to accept credit card payments by attaching a small portable card reader.