Tag: Square Reader

The company has now added the ability to accept smartphone transactions through its credit card reader.

Square, the startup company that first drew attention to itself when it created a credit card reader that small businesses and merchants could use in order to accept credit card transactions, has now announced that mobile wallet transactions are being added to its accepted payment methods.

Though the adoption of smartphone payments isn’t expected to take off for a long time, Square will be ready.

The industry feels that there will still be years that need to pass before the mobile wallet becomes a mainstream form of payments transaction. Even though some giants have already offered their own versions of the technology – including Apple, Google, and various credit card and banking leaders – they have yet to take with consumers in any widespread way. That said, some feel – as Square likely does – that by providing merchants with a simple and affordable tool to actually accept these mobile payments, it may boost the feeling of familiarity with these transactions.

In fact, some have speculated that the mobile wallet may catch on even faster if enough processors are put in place.

It was in exactly this light that Square had unveiled its own updated credit card reader that could also accept mobile payments through the wallet apps of various companies, such as Android Pay and Apple Pay, among others.

Square has said that it expects the new version of its mobile payments reader to be broadly available by the fall of this year. It functions wirelessly for small businesses and sellers who want to be able to accept contactless transactions over a smartphone or tablet. That said, it also makes it possible for merchants to be able to accept EMV enabled credit cards, that is the type of plastic card that has an added security chip embedded into it.

The new mobile wallet payments reader will be sold for $49. That said, there will be around 250,000 small and medium sized businesses that will be receiving the readers for free as the company launches the devices and hopes to widen their use right from the start.

Square Reader aims to help merchants go mobile

Leading mobile commerce organization Square has unveiled “Merchant Case” with integrated Square Reader. The Square Reader platform is designed to make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to participate in mobile commerce and track inventory and consumer trends through the Square Register platform. Square has also announced that it has launched a new partnership with Griffin that will launch the “Merchant Case,” which is used alongside the Square Reader.

Merchant Case adds more convenience to Square Reader

The Merchant Case is, quite simply, a protective case for a smartphone. The current iteration of the product is designed for the iPhone and features a space that can hold a Square Reader. The Square Reader is a small device that can be plugged into an iPhone, allowing for users to make mobile payments. Square has similar devices designed specifically for consumers, whereas the Square Reader is meant to target merchants.

Accessory makers design products for Square

Both the Square Reader and Merchant Case are part of the “Works with Square” program. This program tasks accessory makers with developing products that work specifically with Square’s products, expanding the company’s presence in mobile commerce. Square already has a powerful presence in North America and has recently expanded into the Japanese market. In the U.S. alone, the company has process over $16 billion in mobile payments.

Square continues to show promising success

Square is currently considered one of the leading entities in the mobile commerce space. The company has managed to beat out competition from others, including PayPal, and has been making progress on a wide range of initiatives. As mobile commerce continues to gain momentum with consumers and merchants, Square is expected to continue seeing impressive growth. This growth may help the company expand into new and promising markets in the near future.