Author: BWild

Only just launched in April 2012, the service is going to be abandoned on March 31, 2014.

O2, a mobile network operator in the United Kingdom, has announced its intentions to shut down its mobile wallet service as of the end of March, this year, after only two years of operation.

The service offered a number of different features to its users through their smartphones and tablets.

Among the services available through this mobile wallet was smartphone and tablet based shopping, money transfer and offer services. Moreover, it also included a Visa contactless card and the tracking of transactions. It was originally intended to be one of the services that would be broadening to include the use of NFC technology among its supported tech.

The O2 mobile wallet was among the very first to enter into this part of the smartphone payments space.

A statement released by the carrier said that when they started the service in 2012 they were one of the first around. However, it also added that “Since then lots has changed for us, the market and our customers. So, we’ve decided to close the O2 Wallet to give us time to look into new and better ways to help people manage their money on the move, both in the UK and abroad.”

They did express that the journey itself has been exciting one for the company and it thanked those who took part in it. They also added that “it’s not over yet” and that they will be making other announcements regarding new innovations that would be occurring into the future.

They did want to make it clear that after the end of March, this year, consumers who had previously using the O2 mobile wallet service would no longer be able to do so, nor would they have access to the O2 Money Account Card. This also includes being able to send or receive the service’s Money Messages and being able to use the card or wallet for shopping. Moreover, train tickets will not be purchased through the app and cell phone top ups will also not be available.

Square Reader aims to help merchants go mobile

Leading mobile commerce organization Square has unveiled “Merchant Case” with integrated Square Reader. The Square Reader platform is designed to make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to participate in mobile commerce and track inventory and consumer trends through the Square Register platform. Square has also announced that it has launched a new partnership with Griffin that will launch the “Merchant Case,” which is used alongside the Square Reader.

Merchant Case adds more convenience to Square Reader

The Merchant Case is, quite simply, a protective case for a smartphone. The current iteration of the product is designed for the iPhone and features a space that can hold a Square Reader. The Square Reader is a small device that can be plugged into an iPhone, allowing for users to make mobile payments. Square has similar devices designed specifically for consumers, whereas the Square Reader is meant to target merchants.

Accessory makers design products for Square

Both the Square Reader and Merchant Case are part of the “Works with Square” program. This program tasks accessory makers with developing products that work specifically with Square’s products, expanding the company’s presence in mobile commerce. Square already has a powerful presence in North America and has recently expanded into the Japanese market. In the U.S. alone, the company has process over $16 billion in mobile payments.

Square continues to show promising success

Square is currently considered one of the leading entities in the mobile commerce space. The company has managed to beat out competition from others, including PayPal, and has been making progress on a wide range of initiatives. As mobile commerce continues to gain momentum with consumers and merchants, Square is expected to continue seeing impressive growth. This growth may help the company expand into new and promising markets in the near future.