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Google Wallet unofficially available on US Galaxy Note II variants

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by Colton Kaiser on
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It’s surprising that more Android manufacturers and carriers haven’t jumped on the Google Wallet bandwagon, considering the rate at which the service continues to gain traction in the mobile payment space. While carriers like AT&T may rather opt for an in-house alternative, many anxious subscribers would rather utilize Google’s service. Thankfully, the Galaxy Note II has received an unofficial workaround for installing the mobile wallet software, thanks to recognized XDA developer ogdobber. » Read the rest

New QThru app to enhance brick and mortar shopping experience

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by Jeff Causey on
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QThru, the provider of a mobile point-of-sale platform, announced today new apps for Android and iOS that will enable users to shop and checkout at physical stores using only their smartphone. The app gives you the ability to scan barcodes of items to add them to your shopping cart, then use a function called Q-Code to pay via a kiosk with the total transmitted to the account you have connected with the app. Beyond the in-store experience, the app provides other functions, like the ability to create shopping lists, find deals, create favorite items, research item details, and track total spending. QThru also indicates the app has a custom scale solution to handle purchases of produce or other items by weight.

Read the full press release below and then hit the download links to install the app on your device before heading out to find a participating retail store. » Read the rest

Square claims $10 billion in annual mobile transactions, not including Starbucks

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by Colton Kaiser on
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Mobile payment giant Square Inc. has announced today that it is now processing $10 billion in transactions annually, thanks to its widely adopted  mobile payment infrastructure. Just a few weeks back the company made it known that it was raking in $8 billion annually, equating to a $2 billion increase in less than a month.

Similar to Google Wallet, users are required to have an application installed, whereas brick-and-mortar retailers must have the company’s physical checkout system to conduct transactions. Interestingly, it’s being reported that this figure doesn’t include payments processed by Starbucks, whom the company struck a major deal with earlier this year to install its systems in 7,000 stores.

Taking into account the amount of money that flows through Starbucks stores each day, it’s entirely possible Square could see its yearly processing figure double.

Source: Square (Twitter)
Via: TechCrunch

Google Wallet Prepaid Card Program to end October 17th

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by Colton Kaiser on
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Google has revealed that it plans to discontinue the Prepaid Card Program for early adopters of its Wallet service. Because the company recently updated its mobile payment service to offer compatibility with all major debit and credit cards, it feels the current prepaid program is redundant.

Thank you for being one of the first users of the Google Wallet app and for activating your Google Prepaid Card. Since we recently launched the ability to use any debit or credit card in Google Wallet, we are going to discontinue the Google Prepaid Card soon.

While Google may be terminating the program September 17th, the company is giving users an entire month (until October 17th) to use the remaining funds. After that point, abstainers will be charged $2.00 for every 30 days of inactivity, down from the usual 180 days. To avoid this fee, Google recommends using your card at least once before October 17th. So, be sure to take care of your remaining balance and link your account to a new card before the deadline rolls around. Hit the source link below for the full low-down.

Source: Google

CyanogenMod 9.1 now being pushed out with SimplyTapp NFC integration

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by Colton Kaiser on
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Mobile payments have yet to catch on with the majority of smartphone users, but CyanogenMod is trying to change that through its partnership with SimplyTapp. Starting today, official builds of CyanogenMod 9.1 are being pushed out with SimplyTapp NFC integration, allowing users to make payments from their smartphones with a single tap. Currently, the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Samsung Galaxy S II are supported, as well as a wide range of devices that have built-in NFC. Builds are rolling out right now, so if you’re interested in hopping on the mobile payment bandwagon, catch the official instructions and downloads after the break.

» Read the rest

T-Mobile Galaxy S II update makes it first Isis ready phone

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by Jeff Causey on
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T-Mobile began rolling out an OTA update today for Samsung Galaxy S II devices. The changelog for the UVLH1 update is only two lines long, but the first line indicates “ISIS/NFC update.” We have not yet received confirmation as to whether the update includes an Isis app, but it appears T-Mobile is at least installing the framework. Of note is the fact that T-Mobile is rolling this out to existing devices instead of just including it on new devices.

Isis is a mobile payment system similar to Google Wallet. Using NFC, users can make payments at retailers by simply tapping their phones on a point of sale terminal. At the retailer end, Verifone Systems is working on terminals to be deployed in Salt Lake City and Austin for the initial markets. This is supposed to occur during September. Isis differentiates itself from Google Wallet or other providers in that it is being rolled out by carriers – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to be specific. The rollout has been delayed due to a change in strategy to have credit-card companies handle the processing instead of the carriers. Security concerns have also weighed heavily on the project as the partners work to assure payments can be made securely and critical financial information can be protected.

source: Bloomberg, Android Police

The Survey Says… Most Americans Don’t Plan To Use Mobile Payment Systems

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by Ed Caggiani on
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With the competition heating up in the mobile payment space (Google Wallet vs ISIS), one would think it’s something we’re all clamoring for. But a recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, concludes that Americans are not quite feeling the “pay with your phone” vibe yet. The study, funded by Nokia, surveyed 1,203 adult internet users in the U.S. and found that 74 percent say they do not plan on using a mobile payment system due to privacy concerns.

Other notable findings include:

  • 96 percent of respondents are against any system which uses their phones to track them while they shop
  • 81 percent object to sharing their phone numbers or home addresses with a retailer during a mobile payment transaction
  • 51 percent object to sharing their email address with a retailer during a mobile payment transaction

» Read the rest

Square’s Card Case is now Pay With Square, Pay merchants without touching your phone

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by Robert Nazarian on
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With all the talk about NFC, how about the ability to pay merchants by simply telling them your name? One of the most popular mobile payments service providers, Square, just reintroduced the Card Case app as Pay With Square. Card Case has actually been around for a while, but now it’s a whole lot better. With Pay With Square, the biggest change is the ability to automatically open a tab when you arrive, which means you never have to touch your phone. All you have to do is tell them your name and your done. You will also be able to find supported merchants quicker, save them to your favorites, and easily share them with your friends.

Hit the break for a demo video and download links

» Read the rest

AT&T-Verizon-T Mobile will invest $100 Million to compete with Google Wallet

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by Robert Nazarian on
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Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile USA will invest more than $100 million in Isis, a mobile payment system, which will pit them in a head to head battle with Google Wallet.

$100 million may only be the tip of the iceberg because they could invest a lot more if they are successful in attracting banks and merchants. The mobile payment market is expected to reach $670 billion by 2015 according to Juniper Research, and is expected to hit $240 billion this year.

Isis expects to launch in key markets by early to mid 2012. They currently have partnerships with Visa, MasterCard, Discover Financial Services, and American Express.

Not only will consumers be able to make mobile payments, but they will be able redeem coupons via their mobile devices.

» Read the rest

Square App Updated To 2.1, Makes Mobile Payments Even More Of A Cinch (Video)

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by Joe Sirianni on
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The popular mobile payment system, Square, by Square Inc, has been updated to version 2.1.  Added features include quicker payment processing, pushing payments through in as little as four seconds.  How in the world did they do that, you say?  Well, the update now allows you to skip having to add your John Hancock with transactions under $25.00  In addition, tipping just got a whole lot easier too.  The interface has been better optimized, allowing you to add gratuity with just one tap.  Now that’s convenience.  Furthermore, anyone who signs up for the service and downloads the app will freely receive a card reader for their device in the mail at no extra charge.  If you’re ready to be more productive, whether you own your own small business, or you’re just paying for a yard sale item, you can head on over to our popular apps database for the download where you’ll also find a QR code available.  And if you’re not in need of a QR code, you can snatch the download from the Android Market.  Feel free to let us know what you think of the app in the comments below.

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