Mobile Payment

Facebook working on money transfers through Messenger app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

As Apple gears up to mainstream mobile payments with the recently announced Apple Pay service launching later this month, the social networking giant Facebook is developing its own peer-to-peer payment service that should allow users of its Messenger software to transfer money between themselves, as discovered by iOS developer Andre Aude.

The solution simplifies money transfers by levering the existing Messenger infrastructure and user interface, allowing users to pay for goods directly in the chat window just like you would attach a photo or a location.

Apple poaches NFC and mobile payments expert away from Visa to expand Apple Pay in Europe

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple has hired Mary Carol Harris, former Director of Mobile at Visa Europe to help bring the NFC-based Apple Pay mobile payments system to Europe, PaymentEye reported Monday.

She's been with Visa since 2008 and previously headed up NFC at Telefónica, Spain's leading multinational by market cap and one of the largest private telecommunications company in the world.

Introduced alongside new iPhones earlier this month, Apple's mobile payments solution is scheduled to debut in the United States on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in October, and on the Apple Watch early next year, extending the service to over 200 million owners of the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s devices worldwide.

Harris has fourteen year experience in digital and mobile payments, including NFC technology utilized by the Apple Pay. Harris's LinkedIn profile lists her an employee of Apple Europe.

Apple will reportedly get a 0.15% cut of all Apple Pay transactions

Cody Lee ∙ September 12, 2014

Apple has negotiated a never-before-seen deal for its new mobile payment system, according to a new report from the Financial Times. Citing sources familiar with the terms of the agreement, the outlet says that the Cupertino firm stands to make 15 cents of every $100 spent (or 0.15%) using Apple Pay.

We knew that Apple stood to make a lot of money from its new Pay service, but this is the first time we're hearing hard numbers. "It's unprecedented," says Dickson Chu, former engineer at PayPal and Google Wallet. "It’s somewhat surprising that Apple was able to negotiate something Google couldn’t.”

Discover confirms joining Apple Pay ‘in the future’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 11, 2016

Discover will be joining Apple's proximity mobile payment system called Apple Pay “in the future,” allowing iPhone 6 and Apple Watch owners to pay for goods and services using Discover's credit cards stored in the Passbook application, the company confirmed in a tweet last evening following Apple's press conference.

”No need to worry,” reads the tweet. “We are in discussions with Apple to add Discover cards to Apple Pay in the future”.

Apple introduces new mobile payment service “Apple Pay”

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It turns out the rumors were true, Apple has been putting together a new mobile payment service, and it introduced it on stage today as "Apple Pay." The service involves adding your credit cards to Passbook, and waiving your iPhone in front of what looks like an NFC reader to pay for goods and services in-store.

Apple says that security and privacy are very integral to Apple Pay. It doesn't store your credit card numbers, nor does it transfer them to the merchant, and it doesn't log what you buy or how much you pay for it. It simply creates a complex number for your card, and uses a one-time code for when you make payments.

Square and PayPal said to be working with Apple on mobile payments

Cody Lee ∙ September 9, 2014

In a last-minute scoop, Bank Innovation reports that it has learned that both Square and PayPal have been working with Apple on its mobile payment solution. Sources tell the site that both companies have been aware of Apple's so-called 'iWallet' payments initiative for a while now, and are updating their services to support it.

Apple said to be working on rewards program for mobile payment service

Cody Lee ∙ September 8, 2014

Apple is working on a rewards program for its upcoming mobile payment service, according to a new report from Bank Innovation. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the site says the company has been talking with the InterContinental Hotels Group (Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza, etc.) about a possible loyalty partnership.

Additionally, the outlet points out that Apple has recently posted a job opening for a Senior World Wide Partner Marketing Manager. While the title seems ambiguous, the person in this position would be tasked with creating training materials for external partners with the purpose of aiding customer adoption of "new features."

Apple said to use tokenization tech to secure mobile payments

Cody Lee ∙ September 7, 2014

Bank Innovation is out with a new report this evening, claiming that Apple will be utilizing tokenization technology in conjunction with NFC in its upcoming mobile payment service. Token tech is a favorite amongst financial institutions, as it's considered to be extremely secure.

How it works is that instead of transmitting account and credit card numbers, tokenization sends complex codes over the air between devices. These codes are only used one time, so even if they are intercepted by a third-party with the intent of fraud, they would be of no use.

Apple and Disney upgrading in-store iBeacon/NFC ahead of iPhone 6 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Here's another piece of evidence to help complete the Apple mobile payments puzzle: according to a new report by 9to5Mac, Apple and Disney stores in the United States have been upgrading in-store iBeacon transmitters and NFC sensors ahead of the company's big reveal on Tuesday.

The upgraded sensors, which include the new Gimbal Series 20 Proximity Beacons, will allow the companies to track customers inside their stores with an even greater degree of precision.

As it's been widely reported, both the iPhone 6 and iWatch are rumored to be outfitted with a Near-Field Communication (NFC) chip to support mobile payments. It's “one of the hallmark features” of the iPhone 6, according to Wired. The Apple wearable device has “a role in mobile payments,” too, as per The Wall Street Journal.

CVS and Walgreens also said to support Apple’s new payment service

Cody Lee ∙ September 5, 2014

Recode reports that Apple has signed on the country's two largest pharmacy chains—CVS and Walgreens—to participate in its new mobile payment service. The company is expected to unveil the service, alongside two new iPhones, at a media event in Cupertino next week.

This is a big deal for a few reasons. For one, CVS and Walgreens have a combined total of over 15,000 retail locations, giving Apple's new payment service a significant initial footprint. And two, due to the nature of their business, they tend to see a high rate of transactions.

Apple has reportedly negotiated lower transaction fees for mobile payments

Cody Lee ∙ September 4, 2014

Bank Innovation shares some new details on Apple's mobile payments project this afternoon, reporting the company has managed to negotiate deals for lower credit card transaction fees with several banking institutions. This includes JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Capital One, and Bank of America.

Citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the site says that the banks have all agreed to give Apple a flat transaction rate for both in-store and online purchases, which is fairly uncommon in the industry. They will also apparently give the Cupertino firm a 10% discount on all of its processing fees.

Apple reportedly discussing mobile payment service with Nordstrom

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Financial blog Bank Innovation is reporting this afternoon that Apple is in talks with upscale fashion retailer Nordstrom to be one of the early merchant partners for its new mobile system, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.

It may even already be a done deal. Citing anonymous Nordstrom employees, the outlet says that the department store chain updated its POS (point of sale) terminals a few weeks ago in order to be compatible with the "most recent" iPhone models.