Visa to Launch Contactless Mobile Payments for iPhone

http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2010/05/06/06readwriteweb-visa-to-launch-contactless-mobile-payments-85626.html

by sound • 16 years ago

14 12 16 years ago

nytimes.com

fortybillion• 16 years ago

"the new Apple-certifed technology combines a protective iPhone case with a secure memory card that will host Visa's contactless payment application, Visa payWave."

So, it's exactly like the payWave technology already integrated in my Visa card, except I have to put a stupid case around my iPhone.

Sounds like buzzword-itis.

I've had payWave in my card for over a year, and I've never even seen an opportunity to use it. The social interaction with the cashier is just too weird. It's already bad enough with debit cards ("do I swipe? do you swipe? do you take the card from me and swipe it for me, making me feel like an idiot?")

joezydeco• 16 years ago

My chase card has Blink (which I think is compatible). I didn't even know it was there until I went to swipe my card at McDonald's and the terminal said ACCEPTED as my card got near the swipe slot.

It seems you use it where a debit pad is already on the counter.

zweben• 16 years ago

But it gives you an excuse to wave your iPhone around, just in time for the release of the newest revision!

einarvollset• 16 years ago

I don't think the iPhone can launch apps. Visa may be able to. Well actually, I guess the iPhone technically launches the app after Visa has introduced it. </pedantic>

thinkcomp3• 16 years ago

The problem with NFC is that it offers no real additional benefit. The card industry thinks that it's more convenient, but swiping a card through a card reader really isn't all that difficult to start with.

We're working on this:

http://www.facecash.com

No extra hardware for your phone required, it's cheaper for merchants, it offers more information than cards, and it will work on Android and BlackBerry in addition to iPhone.

natrius• 16 years ago

If you're planning on doing any sort of Facebook integration with that, I think Facebook has revoked API access from people using Face-names in the past. Just something to look out for.

thinkcomp3• 16 years ago

We're not.

cjlars• 16 years ago

I hope you succeed. With modern settlement techniques, there's no reason that a select few companies should be leeching 1.5 - 3% from a $ trillion or two worth of transactions.

JeremyBanks• 16 years ago

Sounds cool. When I visited your site I couldn't instantly figure out what you guys were doing, and I also couldn't see where to click for more information. I saw the three "Learn more..." links at the bottom but wanted something that was general, rather than targeting a specific group.

I just realized that the four small images below the splash are linked to what I was asking for. That doesn't seem obvious to me. Maybe I'm stupid, but maybe it's something to keep in mind.

karzeem• 16 years ago

I'm with you that NFC isn't necessarily a big improvement here, but the nice thing about it generally is that over time, replacing physical actions/keys becomes just a matter of writing software. (You can imagine it replacing stuff like Metrocards, car keys, house keys, etc. It already has in some places, as you probably know.)

Re FaceCash, it looks really interesting but the thing that kept me from paying $3 to sign up with my GMail account is that the site's missing a "how it works" blurb. How exactly do I get my money into the merchant's hands?

thinkcomp3• 16 years ago

The sign up process guides you through linking your bank account and making an initial deposit. We actually encourage people not to use GMail as we can't verify free e-mail accounts.

We've updated the general questions page to address your concerns.

jodrellblank• 16 years ago

Want to pay for purchases by waving your iPhone in front of a payment terminal at checkout?

Want to advertise that you own an expensive gadget which is also primed with cash, instead of using a plastic card? No, of course I don't, what a silly question.

Visa to Launch Contactless Mobile Payments for iPhone

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