> But they all support swipe as well, if there's an issue with the chip (or if you put the card in backwards so it can't read the chip, and repeat until it gives up on you).

For the time being, as a temporary measure while peoples cards are replaced with chip cards. Swipe is being fazed out entirely by 2015. You're already far more likely to get a rejected transaction or trip anti-fraud heuristics if your transaction is not chip-auth'd.

A lot of retailers I've been to require you to show government issued ID to prove your identity when your chip fails. Some downright refuse to accept your credit card.