Tag: NFC payment

Google Finally Releases its NFC Payment System Android Pay

Android Pay, the revamped Google Wallet app, was launched in the US in a number of locations. The Android Pay will be a one-touch payment app much like the Apple Pay, using NFC technology and Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

Existing Google Wallet customers can update the app and see it morph into the Android Wallet. Google launched a separate app Google Wallet app that focuses on person-to-person payments between friends and family like Square Cash and Venmo.

In their blog Google describes the new app as “easy, fast, and free to send money directly from your bank account, debit card or Wallet Balance. When you receive money through Google Wallet, you can spend it using your Google Wallet Card wherever Debit MasterCard® is accepted in the US, use your Wallet Card to withdraw it from participating ATMs, or cash out to a debit card or linked bank account.”

However, as of now if one tries to download the new app, users will not find it as Android Pay, but rather Google Wallet (New) with its logo similar to the old Google Wallet app but with softer colors much like the recently changed Google logo. This can cause some confusion to users initially. Google will most likely work out the bugs and come out with a separate Android Pay.

The app will be made available in new locations and will support Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards from banks including Bank of America, US Bank, PNC, and others. The app will come pre-loaded on new Android phones. No details on when the app will come to India.

Click here to download.

September 12, 2015
Apple Plans to Replace Transit Passes with iPhone 6’s NFC

iPhone users have just started using Apple Pay to make purchases at cash registers and online stores. But the application of this NFC-based payment system is not limited to just this. According to The Information, Apple is in talks with keycard maker HID Global and Cubic to enable security features through which the NFC-equipped iPhone can be used as a pass to enter buildings and transit fare systems.

“The Apple representatives have spoken to technology providers like HID Global and Cubic, which enable secure access to buildings and transit fare systems respectively, briefed people involved in the discussions. Spokespeople for the companies declined to comment on any discussions with Apple, but executives there discussed how they could integrate their systems with the iPhone.” the report said.

This could only mean that the iPhone 6 could soon come with the ability to unlock hotel room doors and even pay public transit fares. Back at the launch of Apple Watch, the company publicly announced a partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide that would allow Apple Watch owners to unlock their hotel room doors using bluetooth. However, that specifically isn’t NFC technology, but the concept is the same.

Currently, developers are not allowed to tap into the NFC chip found in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. By allowing access to the NFC chip, the cards would be able to upload on the Passbook the same way credit cards are added. Users will then have to just tap on the home button at NFC-powered transit turnstiles to pay for their desired rides.

Its functions remain exclusively tied to Apple Pay, which launched with the release of iOS 8.1 last week. Apple hasn’t indicated any plans to open up NFC access in the future. However, report from The Information illustrated that Apple may selectively partner in offering NFC support. Initially, Apple also restricted Touch ID support until the launch of iOS 8, which now allows developers to offer fingerprint-based access with applications.

October 28, 2014
Apple Pay: Easy Digital Payment From Your New iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

Apple introduced its long awaited and much-leaked iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus. Of course, you must have heard loads about the new smartphones from the Cupertino based tech giant. But there was one amazing innovation presented at the event that is going to make shopping easy, really easy. It’s called the Apple Pay.

With the new iPhones, Apple introduces the NFC radio on their phones. With Apple Pay all you need to do for paying at stores is bring your phone near the payment sensor, and that’s it, your payment is done. Apple pay is available on both, the iPhone 6 as well as the iPhone 6 Plus. It uses the Touch id for secure payment.

Apple Pay is a revolutionary way of payment.

Well, well you say, what about security, Apple hasn’t had the best of PR in that respect. Well, Apple is leaving no holes barred, the company has inducted a security chip called the Secure Elements on the phones. Not just that, with this new technology, even your name and purchase details remain hidden from the cashiers at the store. You simply pay by keeping your thumb on the touch ID sensor.

Apple has also take special care that your financial data such as Credit card and account details from falling into the wrong hands. All your credit cards are stored in the Passbook app that doesn’t store any physical data on the device like credit card number and the CVV number. Instead, what you get is a One Time Payment(OTP) number for every transaction that gets transferred to the bank, so neither Apple nor the merchant gets to know your details.

The most important bit is that if your Phone gets stolen or lost, you can simply use the Find my iPhone app and suspend all transaction from the phone. As the details credit cards are not physically present on the device, you don’t even need to cancel your cards.

The Passbook stores all the credit card details at one secure place.

Apple Pay also works on the internet. When you go for a transaction on a site that supports Apple Pay, you don’t need to go through the troubles typing in all the shipping details and card details. With just one touch you can pay for the items, and you’ll get a notification with all the details of the purchase.

Adding credit cards to the Passbook is also real easy. You can use the existing cards from iTunes. If you want to add a new card, all you need to do is take an image from your phone and get it confirmed from your bank, and you are ready to shop online.

Apple will begin the Apple pay service from the month of October in the USA. It will partner with some of the biggest chains and services like McDonalds, Subway, etc. It will also work with apps such as Uber, Groupon and of course the Apple online store. Apple pay will also work with Apple’s latest innovation, the Apple Watch.

With this Apple has brought the next generation payment technology in the mainstream that seems fast and secure. To actually judge the technology we have to wait for its implementation, but as of now, we are impressed. With the addition of NFC-enabled payment, Apple has matched up to its adversary, Androids Google Wallet and taken it a step further.

September 10, 2014