Mobile Payment

Poll: would you use iPhone 6 as your iWallet?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

A flurry of reports in recent days from the likes of Re/code, Wired, Financial Times, Bloomberg and The Information have pointed to Apple eyeing a pay-by-touch iPhone technology by partnering with some of the world's biggest payment processors and credit card companies like AmEx, MasterCard and Visa.

The mobile payment feature is thought to involve technologies such as NFC and Touch ID and tap into a pool of more than the 800 million iTunes accounts with credit cards on file.

The question is, do you see yourself using the iPhone 6 as your wallet? Or, maybe you're the type of person who prefers sticking to plastic and good ol' cash?

Apple strikes deals with American Express and MasterCard for new iPhone payments system

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Recode is reporting this morning that Apple has struck a deal with American Express, to work together on its new iPhone payments system. Citing sources familiar with the talks, the site says AmEx is just one of the many credit card firms the company has been talking to for the project.

Apple's new payments system is expected to allow iPhone 6 owners to pay for things at brick-and-morter stores using the handset. It's believed that the system will utilize NFC technology, and Recode's sources say that Apple's Touch ID tech will be involved in the process at some point.

Apple reportedly working with NXP on NFC solution for iPhone 6

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The Financial Times is reporting this morning that Apple has tapped Dutch chipmaker NXP to produce NFC chips for the upcoming iPhone 6. Citing several people familiar with the project, the site claims the secure, short-range wireless technology will facilitate transactions in a new mobile payment service.

The report doesn't add much in the way of new details, but it does corroborate with the ongoing consensus that after shunning the technology for several years, Apple has finally decided to add NFC to its handsets. Wired and Recode had similar scoops yesterday, as did well-connected blogger John Gruber.

Wired: iPhone will have NFC chip and feature its own payment platform

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2014

According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Wired, the rumors were in fact true as the next iPhone is reportedly going to have a Near-Field Communication (NFC) circuitry and feature an Apple-branded payment platform.

Apple's contactless mobile payment solution is being described in the report as "one of the hallmark features" of the iPhone 6 when the device is unveiled on September 9 (alongside a rumored Apple wearable device).

"We’re told the solution will involve NFC," reads the report.

For what it's worth, the reliable John Paczkowski of Re/code has “been hearing the same” about the NFC-enabled iPhone 6.

Recent leaks of purported iPhone 6 components have indicated that the forthcoming smartphone could indeed be outfitted with an NFC chip by a semiconductor company called NXP, which currently supplies the M7 motion coprocessor for the latest iOS devices.

Leaked iPhone 6 logic board has likely place for NFC chip

Jake Smith ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

There have been rumors swirling for years that Apple will finally bring NFC to the iPhone, and if the schematics of a leak from last week hold true, the iPhone 6 may be the first to hold the communications technology. A MacRumors forum member examined bare logic boards claimed to ship with the iPhone 6, and have found leaked NFC chips fit perfectly.

Amazon unveils iOS-compatible Local Register card reader

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 29, 2018

Taking the likes of PayPal Here and Square head on, the online retail giant Amazon today unveiled an iOS-connected credit card reader. Dubbed the Local Register, the accessory allows iPhone and iPad owners to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit and debit cards on their device.

The tiny dongle connects to an iOS device via the headphone jack and has a magnetic stripe that reads data from your credit card and transfers it securely to the device as an audio waveform.

A free mobile app then verifies payment information and completes the transaction using Amazon's processing backend. Amazon is savagely undercutting both Square and PayPal with lower transaction fees, starting at just 1.75 percent per swipe...

Apple’s mobile payment service may launch this fall

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple's long-rumored mobile payment service may be ready in time for iPhone 6, according to a new report from The Information. Talks between the iPad maker and payments companies are said to be heating up, and the service is nearing completion.

Citing 'people briefed on the talks,' the outlet says that Apple executives have discussed launching a mobile wallet as soon as this fall, which will allow people to use their iPhones to buy things. Such a service has been rumored for the company for years...

Starbucks preparing coffee ordering service for mobile app

Cody Lee ∙ July 21, 2014

Great news Starbucks-goers. You may soon be able to order your coffee using your iPhone. In a recent interview with Recode, the company's Chief Digital Officer Adam Brotman said that it plans to start testing a pickup service later this year via its mobile app.

The move comes as Americans are increasingly turning to smartphone-friendly services like Uber and GrubHub. And with nearly 15% of Starbucks' US purchases now coming via its mobile app, adding the ability to order from it seems like a natural evolution...

Google Wallet updated with support for gift cards, free debit card transfers and more

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2014

Google today announced a significant update for its Google Wallet service. The new version brings about support for gift cards, money requests, and the ability to send money with your debit card for free, and it should be rolling out to iOS and Android apps shortly.

With the new gift card support, users will be able to save their electronic cards to Google Wallet, redeem them in-store, and even check their balances [only at participating merchants]. The Wallet app can even remind you to use your card when you are near stores...

PayPal updated with loyalty card support, faster logins and more

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

PayPal pushed out an update to its iOS client last night, bringing the app to version 5.5. The update brings about the usual bug fixes and performance improvements, but it also adds a big new feature: support for loyalty cards.

This means PayPal users will be able to carry virtual versions of their favorite loyalty cards—such as Starbucks, CVS, and several other retailers—within the app, essentially making it a one-stop shop for payments and checkins...

Apple reportedly in talks with retailers over mobile payment service

Cody Lee ∙ May 29, 2014

According to a new report from 9to5Mac, Apple executives are in discussions with directors from retail chains over a mobile payment service. Citing sources familiar with the project, the site says the talks have taken place over the past few months at 'high profile' retailers.

Apple has long been said to be interested in the mobile payments space, which has several players right now but no clear leader. It's believed the Cupertino company could leverage its 800 million iTunes accounts and iPhone user base to come in and disrupt the market...

Morgan Stanley also believes the iPhone 6 will feature NFC tech

Cody Lee ∙ May 20, 2014

It seems like every time Apple is about to release a new smartphone, NFC rumors pop up. I'm not sure if some folks just really want the technology to succeed, or think the iPhone needs it to be compatible with various products and services, but the talk has seriously become an annual thing.

And this year is no different. Back in March, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that his supply chain checks signaled that Apple was building NFC chips for its iPhone 6, and earlier this month, Brightwire echo'ed the claim. Today, Morgan Stanley adds its weight to the claim in an investors note...