Tag: samsung

Google aims to expand its mobile payments platform

| February 26, 2015

Google to acquire Softcard technology in deal with major carriers

Google will be expanding the reach of its Google Wallet platform, and Softcard may be the way to accomplish this. Softcard is a joint venture from Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile, which was formerly known as Isis. The platform’s name was changed to avoid political issues that have emerged in recent years. Google has made a deal with the companies responsible for Softcard, which could help make Wallet one of the most popular mobile payments platforms currently available for Android devices.

Softcard technology could improve the Wallet platform and make it more attractive to consumers

According to the deal, Google will acquire Softcard’s technology, which Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile will pre-load Google Wallet on mobile devices that will be available in stores later this year. This could significantly expand the reach of Google Wallet, which had struggle to obtain consumer attention due to the launch of new mobile payments platforms, such as Apple Pay. The deal could also give Wallet access to better technology, which had previously been exclusive to Softcard.

Lack of NFC support cripples the growth of some mobile payments services

Google Mobile PaymentsGoogle has had trouble finding traction in the mobile payments space. The company initially only had one device carrier that wanted to support the Wallet platform, while relatively few device makers opted to support the platform’s key technology: NFC. The low availability of NFC-enabled mobile devices made Wallet relatively unpopular among consumers because the platform required this technology to function properly. Softcard experienced similar problems, with retailers being slow to adopt the NFC technology needed to support the mobile payments service.

Deal may help Wallet compete with other mobile payments ventures

Those using Softcard currently will still be able to use the platform in the future. Google Wallet will begin integrating some of the features that Softcard has received praise for while Google continues to improve its mobile payments infrastructure. Wallet will still have to face competition from Apple and, potentially, Samsung, both of whom have expressed strong desire to become dominant in the mobile payments space.

Samsung acquires mobile payments firm LoopPay

| February 23, 2015

Samsung has confirmed that it will be acquiring LoopPay

Samsung has announced that it will, indeed, be acquiring mobile payments technology firm LoopPay. Rumors concerning this acquisition have been circulating for some time, bolsters by Samsung’s growing interest in mobile payments. The acquisition is expected to help Samsung better compete in the mobile commerce space, which has become filled with companies that are seeking to gain the favor of mobile consumers throughout the world. The acquisition may also hint at Samsung’s future efforts in the mobile commerce space.

Firm develops technology that can turn conventional point-of-sale systems into mobile payments terminals

LoopPay develops technology that is capable of giving 90% of conventional point-of-sale systems the ability to accept mobile payments. This technology has become quite valuable, as more retailers are looking to accept mobile transactions in their physical stores. Many of Samsung’s most recent devices are able to conduct mobile transactions, but relatively few retailers support these payments physically. That is changing as mobile commerce continues to prove that it is a powerful force, pressuring more retailers to embrace mobile point-of-sale systems.

Samsung may be developing its own mobile payments system in order to compete with other companies

Mobile Payments - Samsung acquires LoopPaySamsung is rumored to be developing its own mobile payments platform, called Samsung Pay. This platform is likely to be based off technology developed by LoopPay. This technology would be used by retail partners in order to accept mobile payments through the new service. Samsung has not yet revealed details concerning this potential platform or whether or not it will be working with retailers to launch a new mobile payments service.

Competition may be difficult, as other companies have a well established place in the mobile commerce field

Samsung has been relatively slow to enter into the mobile commerce field on its own. The company is currently set to compete with others, such as Apple and Google, in order to gain the favor of mobile consumers. Competition is likely to be fierce, as both Apple and Google already have a well established presence in the mobile payments space.