Tag: smartphone payments

Google launches Hands Free service, making transactions more convenient

Google is working to take mobile payments to the next level. The company has launched a new hands-free, voice activated payment application, which is currently being tested in San Francisco, California. Called Hands Free, the service is meant to make mobile commerce more convenient than it already is. It could also give Google and edge in the mobile commerce battle if it can find favor among consumers that often use their mobile devices to shop for and purchase products online and in physical stores.

Hands Free uses an assortment of innovative technologies

Hands Free makes use of a combination of technologies, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and location tracking technology to allow the service to communicate with point-of-sale systems. When this is done, consumers can confirm purchases by saying the phrase “I’ll pay with Google.” Hands Free is a standalone service with no association with Android Pay apart from also being developed by Google. The company believes that the voice activation technology powering Hands Free can make mobile payments more convenient than it already is.

New service could be risky for consumers involved in the mobile commerce space

While Hands Free makes use of innovative technology, it may also suffer from certain security risks. Theoretically, the voice activation technology could be abused by those that want to take advantage of consumer financial information. In order to combat this, Google has equipped Hands Free with numerous security features. One of these features will ensure that cashiers can verify the identity of the person using Hands Free before a purchase is finalized.

Google continues to search for a foothold in the mobile commerce market

Google has been fighting an uphill battle in the mobile payments space. The company entered into the market mobile commerce market relatively early with its Google Wallet platform. The Wallet was somewhat unpopular among consumers, leading Google to change its mobile commerce plans. Now, the company has Android Play, which is has become its flagship payment service that is set to compete with those coming from other major technology companies.

The new Canadian smartphone based option will allow Visa cards to be used without near field communication.

TD Canada Trust, one of the largest Canadian banks, has now launched a mobile payments solution that allows shoppers to use their Visa cards through their smartphones in order to make a purchase, regardless of whether or not the device uses NFC technology.

This not only makes it possible for more device models to be compatible, but it also beats many tech giants to this market.

At the moment, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and other top mobile payments services in the United States have yet to make their way into the Canadian space. This has allowed TD Canada Trust to make its way into this market and build its user base before the competition gets too fierce. Moreover, it has done so without the use of NFC technology, which has become the standard for many of the other popular mobile wallets, but that is not compatible with the majority of smartphones currently used in Canada.

The NFC technology free mobile payments app has now launched for the bank’s customers to use.

The TD Bank app has been updated so users with Android devices running 4.4 and higher will be able to add their TD Canada Trust issued Visa card and proceed to make mobile payments with their smartphones. Even without near field communication, the devices can be tapped against point of sale terminals in order to compete a purchase transaction.

This mobile app has managed to accomplish this goal through the use of Host Card Emulation (HCE), which removes the need for NFC SIM cards. It also meals that virtually any Android device (as long as it is running on 4.4 or newer and as long as it is running on any of the wireless networks within the country) will be compatible.

While this isn’t the first Canadian bank to implement this type option, absent of NFC technology, within its app – as the RBC Wallet for Android was launched several months ago – TD’s updated mobile app does represent a significant addition to the country’s mobile payments selection.