Tag: mobile payments

Mobile payments firm launches new service for businesses

| March 27, 2015

Square has launched a new service that aims to help businesses connect with mobile consumers

Square, a prominent mobile payments firm operating in North America, has announced the launch of a new service, called Square Cash, for businesses in the United States. Square had been the most prominent mobile payments firm in the country for a time before the market became crowded with competitors. As large companies like PayPal and Apple have become more involved in the mobile commerce space, Square has had to find new ways to compete and attract the support and attention of mobile consumers.

Square Cash could be a boon for businesses

Square Cash is designed to deposit payments directly into a business’ bank account, rather than placing these funds into a holding account. The company is also offering what it believes to be a competitive rate for transactions, with this rate being 1.5%. This is lower than the rate offered by some of Square’s competitors, which may make it more attractive to businesses that are becoming more interested in mobile payments.

Square launches $Cashtags in order to inform consumers when they can make a mobile payment at a business

Mobile Payments- Square Square has also launched a new initiative, called $Cashtags, which involves notifying consumers that they are able to use mobile payments at stores that are supporting Square Pay. These $Cashtags are meant to work in a way similar to hashtags on Twitter, providing businesses with a way to inform consumers that they can make payments using Square Cash. These tags can be personalized, which would offer consumers information about products that they may be interested in as well.

Square Cash may appeal to businesses that want to connect with mobile consumers

Mobile payments have become quite popular among consumers, but relatively few businesses support this new form of commerce. This has to do with concerns regarding security, but companies like Square have been making strides in improving the safety of mobile commerce as a whole. With its new service, Square may be able to find renewed support among businesses that are investing in engaging mobile consumers.

Windows Phone may get mobile payments support in the future

| March 26, 2015

Windows 10 to bring Host Card Emulation to Windows Phone

Windows Phone users have had very limited options when it comes to mobile payments. One of the few services that were available to these users, Softcard, was recently shut down after its acquisition by Google. With the closure of Softcard, many Windows Phone users have been pushed out of the mobile commerce space. That may change soon, however, as Windows 10 will be coming to the platform. The latest version of the mobile operating system will feature Host Card Emulation.

Software architecture offers a way to support mobile payments on Windows Phone

Host Card Emulation is a type of software architecture that is meant to provide virtual representation for various types of cards, such as credit and debit cards. This serves as a way to support mobile transactions made on a device, such as a smartphone or tablet. Using Host Card Emulation, devices do not need to have a secure SIM card solution and consumers do not need to use a specialized application in order to make mobile payments.

NFC-enabled Windows Phones may be able to make mobile payments in the near future

Windows Mobile PaymentsThough Windows 10 will feature Host Card Emulation, those wishing to participate in mobile commerce on Windows Phones will have to have an NFC-enabled mobile device. NFC technology allows for digital information to be sent over short distances and this technology has become the backbone for most mobile payments platforms, which has lead to the increased availability of NFC-enabled mobile devices. Many Windows Phones have NFC capabilities, but older devices may not be equipped with NFC technology.

Microsoft could attract more people to Windows Phone if it supports mobile commerce more aggressively

Windows Phone may not be the most popular mobile device in the world, but there are a significant number of people with these devices. These consumers have expressed interest in participating in mobile commerce, but they have had limited support for this interest. Microsoft may be able to revitalize favor for its mobile devices if it can manage to provide support for mobile payments.