Tag: mobile payment cards

MasterCard introduces new Display Card product

| November 12, 2012

 

MasterCard continues to establish strong mobile commerce presence

Financial giant MastMobile commerce mastercarderCard continues its steady march into the world of mobile commerce with the release of a new credit card that could change the way people pay for products. Mobile commerce is poised to become a big part of the lives of consumers, many of whom are turning to their mobile devices for daily services and connectivity. As consumers become more dependent on their mobile devices, companies in the technology and financial industries are looking to establish a stronger presence in mobile commerce. MasterCard is poised to up the ante, so to speak.

Display Card combines smart phone technology with a credit card

The financial institution has revealed a new credit card that is equipped with a touch-sensitive keypad and an LCD display. MasterCard calls the products, simply, “Display Card.” The Display Card is very much like a smart phone in concept, but more akin to a traditional credit card in appearance. The card will function in much the same way MasterCard’s other products do, but will also have a use in mobile commerce. The keypad exists to allow users to authorize large purchases through the input of a password, while the LCD screen provides limited information concerning the purchase and the amount of money due.

Display Card on trial in Singapore

Currently, the Display Card is available only in Singapore. The card is currently being tested for its viability to various demographics of consumers in that country. Thus far, the card has been somewhat popular amongst the wealthy, but many other consumers seem to prefer their mobile devices when making a purchase of goods. Those without smart phones largely rely on traditional forms of commerce, such as bank cards or physical currency.

MasterCard could add new features in the future

Though the features of the Display Card are somewhat limited currently, MasterCard suggests that there are many things that can be done to the card in the future. Additional features can be added to the card to help it appeal more to consumers, allowing them to check their bank account balance for example. How this will affect the company’s place in the highly competitive mobile commerce business has yet to be seen.

Google Wallet set to go physical

| November 6, 2012

 

Google WalletGoogle Wallet may soon take the form of a card

By now, consumers that are interested in mobile commerce are likely to have heard of Google Wallet. This mobile payment platform can transform smart phones and tablets into platforms that allow consumers to make purchases of goods and services using digital information rather than physical currency. Despite a relatively rough launch last year, the Google Wallet has become a leading mobile commerce platform, successfully exposing a wide range of consumers to the concept of mobile payments.

Google Wallet Card could help expand the accessibility of mobile commerce

Google may now be gearing up for the launch of a physical version of the Google Wallet. The Google Wallet Card, as it is being called by Android Police, a technology web site, has caught some screenshots of Google’s plans and how a physical card may be the next step in the continued evolution of the Google Wallet. The new system will provide consumers with a card, much like the traditional credit cards that are widely used today. This card will be linked to a Google Wallet account and make use of the financial information associated with that account.

Consumers without NFC-enabled devices left out of mobile commerce loop

Through this initiative, Google aims to make mobile commerce more accessible to a wide range of consumers. Currently, mobile commerce is largely reserved to those with NFC-enabled mobile devices. Those without such a device are unable to participate in mobile payments simply because their devices cannot interface with the technology used in mobile commerce. The Google Wallet Card will solve this problem by giving consumers another option to engage in mobile payments.

Still a long way to go before mobile commerce becomes mainstream

The Google Wallet Card will be accepted anywhere major credits card are accepted. Google has invested heavily in mobile commerce thus far and is keen to ensure most consumers have the ability to engage in mobile payments. The Google Wallet Card is one step closer to realizing this plan, but Google will have to continue its work in order to get people interested in making payments using their smart phones and other mobile devices.