The Hippest Phones » mobile payments

Square working on ‘a credit processing and risk issue’ before shipping more card readers

Chris Ziegler — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:23:00 +0000

If you've tried to get in on Square's mobile payment system, you know that a critical part of the whole setup is the tiny credit card reader that plugs into your phone's headphone jack -- and in all likelihood, you don't have it. The company just sent out a message to those who've signed up for their service today, saying that a prior hardware shortage is resolved but that it's only half of the problem; the other half, and arguably a more serious one, is that the company needs to find a way to "handle the huge demand for readers and still manage the risk of chargebacks and fraud." So far, those risks have been mitigated by setting limits very low, but customers have apparently complained that they're too low, which is requiring a "rethinking and expanding" of the company's underwriting. Everyone's being assured that they'll be good to go once this whole process is over and clients go through a credit check -- but in the meantime, Square readers might be a little scarce, so it's back to IOUs and pocket change for a while. See the full letter after the break.

Continue reading Square working on 'a credit processing and risk issue' before shipping more card readers

Square working on 'a credit processing and risk issue' before shipping more card readers originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FaceCash mobile payment apps are like real money, only with your face on it instead of someone smart

Laura June — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:23:00 +0000

ThinkLink's FaceCash mobile payment system has debuted several apps (for BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android devices) which allow you to pay for things merely by scanning your phone -- and showing off the attached photo to confirm it is, in fact, your own money that you're spending. You sign up, link your FaceCash account to your personal checking and savings account, and you're good to go with participating merchants. The apps can also store credit card numbers and banking information (perfect for when you lose your phone during a night of heavy partying), making it easier to leave your wallet or purse behind... or so they say. Sadly, FaceCash currently only has merchants in California, and really, who wants to live there?

FaceCash mobile payment apps are like real money, only with your face on it instead of someone smart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square mobile payment system goes live on iPhone, iPad, and Android this week (video)

Tim Stevens — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:08:00 +0000

We've been intrigued by the Square Payment System since it first ditched its Squirrel costume back in 2009, and now it appears we're on the eve (or eve of the eve, or pretty close anyway) to its release for not only the iPhone, but for the iPad and for Android as well. The software is said to be hitting App Stores and Markets this week, working with a sugar cube-sized card reader that pops into the 3.5mm headphone jack, a device that the company is giving away for free to those who sign up. Using it will not be free, with retailers paying fees starting at 2.75 percent plus a 15 cent surcharge, but that's considerably cheaper than many other options out there (which often require costly hardware to boot). There's another new video after the break, and we can't wait for these things to start showing up at the farmer's market. No more early morning ATM runs!

Update: Apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices are now live in their respective download abodes. None will require that you enter a single digit of your credit card.

[Thanks, Ed]

Continue reading Square mobile payment system goes live on iPhone, iPad, and Android this week (video)

Square mobile payment system goes live on iPhone, iPad, and Android this week (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 May 2010 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mophie iPhone credit card reader coming to a CES near you

Vladislav Savov — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:19:00 +0000

iPhone accessory maker and recession antidote regular Mophie is about to make the most buzzworthy move of its short history by offering a credit card reader and accompanying transaction app for the Apple handset. Positioned as a direct competitor to Jack Dorsey's Square iPhone Payment System, Mophie's solution looks to be integrated into an iPhone case -- making it possible to keep the reader on permanently, albeit at a slight cost to your device's aesthetics. The decidedly cube-shaped Square system has a less ergonomic design, but we suspect that the winner (if either of these two succeeds) will be primarily determined by the usability of the app and affordability of the service. Look out for more info to emerge at some point during the maelstrom that will be CES 2010.

Mophie iPhone credit card reader coming to a CES near you originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VeriFone Payware Mobile iPhone peripheral looking ready to square off with, er, Square

Ross Miller — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:29:00 +0000

Sure, it's not quite as elegant as a little cube jutting out of one corner of the iPhone à la Square, but it looks like the Payware Mobile could certainly double as a pretty sturdy case should it drop. More importantly, the backing of VeriFone means this mobile payment peripheral has some pretty important backing and should be able to hit the ground running. That magical date should be January 15th of next year, free on a 2-year Payware Connect contract, and pre-orders are now live on the website for those who want to join in on the phone. Just one word of advice: when you hand the iPhone over for someone to sign as proof of purchase, make sure you're able to outrun the chap. Just in case.

[Thanks, Jason]

VeriFone Payware Mobile iPhone peripheral looking ready to square off with, er, Square originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments