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Google Wallet

Mobile-Payment Options
Tech News

5 Mobile Payment Options For a Wallet-Free Future

Pay as you go, on the go.
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Pay as you go, on the go. On the heels of the announcement that Starbucks is partnering with mobile payment app Square, the Internet is abuzz with talk of a world without wallets. But how does mobile shopping work? Is it secure? What sort of options are out there? To learn more about this ever-shifting landscape, check out these five services.

  • Square (free) — The Starbucks partnership has put a spotlight on Square, an app that lets you pay without even touching your wallet or phone. To shop, all you need to do is step inside and say your name at the counter. The only setback? With GPS constantly running on your phone, its battery life is decreased.
  • Google Wallet (free) — Currently available on six Android phones and the Nexus 7 tablet, Google Wallet can be used with any credit, debit, or rewards card. Plus, with zero fees and the ability to disable the account remotely, it's a safe, affordable pick that's accepted at more than 140,000 merchants across the US.
  • PayPal (free) — After setting up the in-store checkout capability on your existing PayPal account, you're able to easily pay with just your phone number and a PayPal pin.
  • GoPago (free) — With this app, you can skip the lines at your favorite spots by ordering and paying before you arrive. After downloading the app, just enter your payment information once, and you'll be able to pay securely with GoPago. Right now, the app is available in the San Francisco Bay Area and Las Vegas.
  • Apple Store EasyPay (free) — Apple fanatics can purchase their own products with the Apple Store app's EasyPay button. Just scan the bar code of whichever accessory you'd like to purchase, and you'll be able to buy the item through your iTunes account.

Have you tried any of these mobile payment services? What do you think?

Mobile Payment Consumer Survey
Poll

Would You Pay On the Go?

When Google recently announced its Google Wallet mobile payment system, we asked if you would consider using the pay-on-the-go option.
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When Google recently announced its Google Wallet mobile payment system, we asked if you would consider using the pay-on-the-go option. While our Facebook poll indicated you weren't interested in loading sensitive financial information on a phone, mobile payments do look to be in our buying future.

Verifone, the company that powers much of the electronic retail payment systems used in stores every day, released a survey of Americans' attitude toward adopting mobile payment solutions over the next several years. Some interesting statistics from the survey include:

  • 57 percent of adults expect that mobile payments will become widespread over the next three years.
  • 47 percent of consumers are content knowing that all their personal and financial information on a mobile phone is completely secure. (Conversely, we can take this statistic to show that a majority of consumers do not feel their financial information is completely secure on a mobile phone.)
  • 43 percent of women say they would never use a mobile phone to pay for goods and services compared to 32 percent of men.

While companies like Verifone, Google, and Square begin to roll out mobile payment solutions, it appears that the majority of consumers are still concerned about the security of their personal information and credit card details. Tell us, what's your take on our mobile payment future?

Source: Verifone

Google Wallet Mobile Payment Details
Google

Google Introduces Google Wallet Mobile Payment System

Google announced its new mobile payment system today, called Google Wallet.
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Google announced its new mobile payment system today, called Google Wallet. Using NFC technology, Google plans to partner with companies like Citi, MasterCard, and Sprint to allow credit card users to simply tap their phones to pay for their items in grocery stores, shopping malls, and more. While the entire program will roll out later this year, testers in markets like San Francisco will start using the Google Wallet mobile app now. The app will allow you store your MasterCard credit card (to start with), or Google Prepaid card, which can link up to any credit or debit card you choose. What's more, Google Wallet will even store all of your loyalty cards, offers, gift cards, and available discounts via Google Offers, and will automatically apply them at checkout.

How does it work? Google Mobile can be used anywhere MasterCard Paypass is accepted to start with, but as more merchants begin to integrate NFC technology into their stores, you'll have more options. Want to know about security? Then keep reading.