Tag: verizon wireless

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.

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.