Author: Amanda Giasson

Unique commercial NFC payments service launched by BBVA

BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) has made technology news by becoming the initial bank to unveil near field communication (NFC) technology in its commercial contactless payments service that is based on Visa’s host card emulation (HCE) specifications.

Bank customers can utilize the payments solution by downloading the latest version of the BBVA Wallet app.

Customers who are interested in taking advantage of the new Visa cloud based payments service only need to obtain the most recent version of the app and they can begin making NFC payments. That said, consumers will also need to have a mobile phone that can run Android 4.4 and is equipped with NFC technology. However, customers who do not have a suitable handset may be able to benefit from contactless stickers which the banking firm will be making available.

In addition to providing contactless mobile payments, the BBVA Wallet instantly notifies customers of every transaction they make, as well as provides them with offers, discounts and even finance options they can purchase.

The global payment systems director at BBVA, Mehmet Sezgin said, “Our employees and some of our customers, who are the most active users of BBVA Wallet in Spain, are already using this latest technology that gives BBVA the opportunity to offer our millions of customers worldwide an incredibly simple and intuitive way to start using their phone for contactless payments.”

BBVA’s technology news is good news for the U.S., Chile and Mexico

The bank explained that it is Visa’s cloud based payment specifications that has made the international expansion of BBVA Wallet possible and that part of this includes utilizing HCE technology. Payments that are cloud based allow in-store transactions, which use secure data that does not require security that is hardware based but, rather, is kept within the bank’s “cloud based” systems. The company’s goal is for their mobile wallet to be carried and used by their customers across all of the geographical regions where the business operates.

Currently, BBVA customers in Spain with NFC enabled Android smartphones can use the new mobile payments service. However, later this year, the banking firm expects to extend its contactless payments service to customers in Chile, Mexico and the United States, which is likely welcome technology news for those bank customers looking to take advantage of this great new service.

The US pharmacy chain is piloting a marketing platform that gives shoppers the chance to earn rewards.

Walgreens is testing a marketing platform in its stores that uses technology developed by Aisle411, the in-store mapping and reward provider, and Google’s Project Tango 3D augmented reality technology, which enables shoppers to find a specific product, receive directions to the proper aisle and earn rewards as they go about their shopping.

Shoppers can enjoy a three dimensional image of their route and receive personalized coupons.

The technology that Walgreens is using from Aisle411for its pilot program gives customers the opportunity to collect loyalty rewards by simply walking down certain aisles. It also allows for personalized offers, coupons and rewards to “pop out” of the shelf while customers walk around the store. Additionally, it provides them with a 3D image of the path they are taking. The augmented reality view is provided by a Project Tango device that has been placed on a shopping cart.

Walgreens Director of Mobile Commerce Tim McCauley said, “When we saw Aisle411 were working with Google Project Tango to create immersive mobile experiences inside a store, we immediately knew this was something we had to be a part of building.” He added, “It’s going to be very exciting to see how this evolves the future of the shopping experience.”

The augmented reality shopping experience is expected to be tested by more merchants in the future.

According to Aisle411, the shopping locations that will be piloting the technology will have devices that are available in-store for shoppers to use. They will be working with Walgreens to test the devices in certain markets throughout the United States. Some of the selected locations include Chicago, New York, St. Louis and Seattle.

Furthermore, the CEO of Aisle411, Nathan Pettyjohn, stated that shoppers in today’s world are occupied by and interacting with their mobile devices while they are shopping. They are “digital savvy” and clever and because of this it is vital that retailers provide their customers with the right tools to keep their shopping experience engaging. Pettyjohn believes the new application will make shopping fun for consumers and that it is sure to engage all who use it.

Presently, over 12,500 merchants throughout the US use the augmented reality marketing platform and more retailers are anticipated to test it.