Author: Stephen

PayPal acquires mobile payments firm Paydiant

| March 5, 2015

Paydiant acquisition will give PayPal access to new technology and an extensive list of customers that make use of this technology regularly

PayPal has announced that it will be acquiring Paydiant, a mobile payments firm. The acquisition will give PayPal immediate access to those that use the technology that has been developed by Paydiant. This includes Subway and the retail consortium Merchant Customer Exchange. The consortium is comprised of companies like Target, Wal-Mart, and Sears, and access to this group could further expand PayPal’s position in the mobile payments space.

Paydiant has established a commanding presence in the mobile commerce space because of its innovative technology

Paydiant specializes in mobile technology, and has developed framework that supports mobile payments made through applications, both online and in physical stores. This technology supports the use of codes that function as ways to initial a transaction. Adoption of Paydiant’s technology has been relatively slow, but many prominent companies use the technology to engage mobile consumers in ways that were never before possible. This has made Paydiant a strong force in the mobile payments field, which is becoming increasingly crowded and competitive.

PayPal will face strong competition from Apple, Google, and Samsung in the coming year

PayPal acquires mobile payments firmPayPal has established a strong presence in the mobile field, having supported mobile consumers and businesses for several years. Later this year, the company will branch off from its current owner, eBay, and become a standalone entity. The company will also be in direct competition with Apple and Google, both of whom are trying to establish dominance in the mobile payments market. Samsung will also be competition for this position, having recently announced its plans to make an initial breach into the mobile commerce market later this year.

Future projects with Paydiant could help PayPal find more success in the mobile payments space

Paydiant’s technology and extensive customer base may help PayPal compete with others in the mobile market. The two companies are expected to work together to develop new initiatives that are based on Paydiant technology and PayPal services. Details concerning future plans have, of course, not been disclosed at this time.

Softcard to shut down its mobile payments apps

| March 3, 2015

Softcard will be discontinuing its apps for Android and Windows Phone

Google’s recent acquisition of Softcard, a mobile payments platform formerly known as Isis, could spell the end for the payments service. Softcard has announced that it will be shutting down its applications for the Android and Windows Phone operating systems. While there are many mobile payments services available for the Android platform, including Google Wallet, Windows Phone has very limited options when it comes to mobile commerce. The move could leave those using Windows Phone out of the mobile payments space for some time.

Mobile payments firm finds modest success after its initial launch and rebranding

Softcard was launched as a joint venture from AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile. The platform had received strong support during its various stages of development, with many believing that it would change the mobile commerce space. After its launch, however, Softcard had only managed to find modest success. A rebranding effort last year did little to help the company, apart from distancing it from political issues that have emerged in other parts of the world.

Windows Phone users may be left out of mobile commerce after Softcard app shuts down

Mobile Payments - Softcard shutting downThe Softcard app currently serves as one of Microsoft’s entries into the mobile payments space. While Microsoft is not responsible for Softcard, the company did support the application on its Windows Phone platform. Without Softcard, Microsoft may have to look for a new way to establish some semblance of a presence in the mobile commerce market. Until that time, however, Windows Phone users will not be able to participate in mobile commerce, which may cause some frustration among these consumers.

Softcard app will continue to work until the company shuts it down in the future

Softcard has not announced a definitive date when its application will no longer be available on the Windows Phone and Android platforms. The company has announced that the app will no longer be available for these platforms in the future. Currently, those with Softcard accounts can continue using the application to make mobile payments as they see fit.