Mobile Payment Magazine

CHARGE Anywhere Releases Mobile POS Payment App for Android

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CHARGE Anywhere has released an updated payment application for Android smartphones. The app accepts multiple tender types–in addition to credit card payments, the CHARGE Anywhere mobile payment app can facilitate cash transactions, check transactions and ACH payments.

“Merchants can increase their cash flow and their customer satisfaction by accepting every available payment type from a mobile phone,” said Dmitriy Lerman, Director of Marketing at CHARGE Anywhere.

The app is available for Android smartphones and Android tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy, and allows businesses to complete cash and check sales on the app for free, according to Paul Sabella, President and CEO of CHARGE Anywhere.

There’s also an optional Bluetooth card reader/receipt printer. The battery-operated, peripheral device generates a printed receipt at the point-of-sale. Receipts can also be emailed to customers.

CHARGE Anywhere’s mobile payment software and payment gateway solutions are supported by all major card processors in the US and Canada.

The application can be downloaded from the Android Market.

Source: PR Newswire

eBay Acquires Its Mobile App Developer, Critical Path

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As another sign of the continuing growth of the mobile payment landscape and the consolidation of related companies, eBay announced today that it has acquired the company that develops its mobile applications software.

Critical Path Software is a mobile application developer that has worked with eBay for more than two years to help deliver popular mobile apps such as the eBay for iPhone app, and StubHub, eBay Classifieds and Shopping.com iPhone applications. The company, established in 1991 and based in Portland, Oregon, was one of the first developers to create mobile apps for the iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 7 platforms.

According to eBay, the acquisition will allow the company to accelerate its efforts to improve the mobile experience for its customers. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We’re very serious about innovating in mobile commerce, and this acquisition underscores our commitment to bringing the very best and brightest in the field to eBay,” said Mark Carges, chief technology officer and senior vice president, global products, eBay Marketplaces. “Integrating the Critical Path Software team into eBay will be a big win for mobile shoppers around the world; combined with the talent on our team today, we can make shopping and selling anywhere, anytime, for almost anything, even better.”

With more than 200 million listings available globally at any given time on eBay, shoppers have access to a wide selection of merchandise right from their mobile phones.

eBay Mobile collaborated with Critical Path Software most recently on eBay Inc.’s most popular mobile app, the iPhone 2.0 core eBay app, which has been downloaded by more than 14 million times since its launch in 2008. Critical Path Software also was a key contributor in developing mobile apps enabling users to buy tickets on-the-go on StubHub; search local listings on eBay Classifieds; and access more than 7,000 global merchants on Shopping.com.

Source: Business Wire

Visa Mobile App for Mobile Shopping Offers Now Available

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Visa has announced its Visa Mobile application for the iPhone. Through a tap of the finger, Visa account holders can access more than 50 unique merchant offers ranging from clothing and dining to entertainment.

Visa is working with a select list of popular merchants to deliver exclusive offers to Visa account holders, helping them save money on every-day purchases. More than 50 merchants including some of the most popular retailers in the U.S. such as 24 Hour Fitness, Jos. A. Bank, Meineke, New York & Company, and Zales are providing discounts through the Visa Mobile application, helping them reach more consumers with targeted offers. Offers are automatically delivered and stored in the application, can be tailored to consumers’ life styles and preferences, and can be redeemed either online or at physical retail locations. The application uses location-based technology to provide consumers with a map and directions to a nearby retailer where they can redeem merchant offers.

“Merchants are looking for new and more efficient ways to reach customers, while budget-conscious consumers expect a more rewarding and convenient shopping experience,” said Bill Gajda, Head of Mobile at Visa Inc. “The Visa Mobile application meets the needs of both merchants and consumer and brings one of the most trusted brands in payments to the iPhone.”

Visa is working closely with handset manufacturers, mobile network operators and technology providers around the globe to bring the reliability, scalability and trust of Visa payments to the mobile channel. The Visa Mobile application for the iPhone was developed in partnership with Monitise plc, a UK business which is a global-leading mobile banking and payments platform. Visa signed a global alliance with Monitise in June 2009 to custom-develop mobile services for Visa across a spectrum of handsets to ensure Visa account holders have a consistent, user-friendly, and secure mobile payment experience.

Visa Mobile Application Features

Visa account holders simply download the Visa Mobile application from the iTunes app store and immediately have access to more than 50 unique merchant offers. Key application features include:

Offers:

  • Visa Offers can be tailored to match consumer lifestyle and interest. Visa Account holders can select from several merchant categories such as clothing, dining, jewelry, travel, entertainment, or retail goods. This ensures consumers only get offers they want, and can help increase merchant traffic, loyalty and customer satisfaction.
  • Participating merchants include Planet Hollywood, Papa John’s Pizza, 24-Hour Fitness, Jos A Banks, Tourneau, New York & Company, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Crowne Plaza, Pearle Vision, Meineke, Buca di Beppo, Cold Water Creek, and Hard Rock Café.
  • Account holders with Visa Signature cards will receive special Visa Signature offers in addition to the standard offers.
  • Visa is continuously adding and enhancing merchant offers available through the Visa Mobile application.

Location-Based Services:

  • Using location-based technology, the Visa Mobile application will show consumers nearby merchant locations and provide directions to locations where they can redeem offers and allows them to find the nearest ATM.

The Visa Mobile application is now available as a free download from the iTunes app store.

Source: Business Wire

Polar Mobile chosen one of Canada’s select “Companies-to-Watch” in the 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ Awards

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Polar Mobile has won a spot on the 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 “Companies-to-Watch” Awards, one of four separate awards categories that make up the 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards.

The company provides a platform for an end-to-end solution that enables Publishers to rapidly launch mobile Apps that work across all major smartphones (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, etc.). With a key focus on the News and Sports media verticals.

The Companies-to-Watch Award honours early-stage technology companies in business less than five years. These companies exemplify many of the winning characteristics of Deloitte Technology Fast 50  ranked companies, which are judged using a longer track record.

“Companies-to-Watch award winners frequently go on to score high rankings in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 once they have a five-year track record,” said John Ruffolo, National Leader, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Industry Group, Deloitte. “Polar Mobile has quickly distinguished itself for its innovative technology and entrepreneurship and this award recognizes its potential as a future leader in the Canadian technology industry.”

“We are honoured to be included in this year’s ranking among other very accomplished companies”, says Kunal Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Polar Mobile. “The Polar Mobile team is to credit for their tremendous efforts and dedication into building this into a world-class company in less than three years. We are excited for the next three years!”

The majority of Companies-to-Watch winners are global leaders in technology sectors that did not exist five years ago. To win the award, companies must display the kind of management expertise and superior technology that mark a successful early-stage company poised for continued growth. To qualify for the Companies-to-Watch Award, candidates must have been operating less than five years. They must also be headquartered in Canada and devote a significant portion of their operating revenues to creating proprietary technology and/or intellectual property.

Source: Polar Mobile