GymKit launches today in Australia, automatically sync workout data between Apple Watch and gym equipment — 9to5Mac — “The first gym to feature GymKit-compatible equipment is now up and running in Australia. Users just tap their watches to the treadmill (or other GymKit equipment) using NFC, and they start sending data back and forth automatically… The idea is that the watch and the paired gym machine have better knowledge about different aspects of the workout. GymKit allows that data to be shared back and forth, as appropriate.”
Australia
Eftpos launches Android Pay in Australia
Rambus teams with Eftpos for Android Pay in Australia — Rambus — PARTNER NEWS — “‘With more than 40m debit cards distributed across Australia, Eftpos is one of the most popular payment methods,’ said Bret Sewell, SVP and general manager, Rambus Security division. ‘This collaboration with Eftpos enables millions of consumers the opportunity to enjoy secure mobile payments using Android Pay, leveraging our proven host card emulation (HCE) and EMV tokenization software for truly trusted transactions.’”
Australian festival-goers try out NFC ticket implants
Under the skin: How insertable microchips could unlock the future — The Guardian — “Ten volunteers received a microchip at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne on Wednesday to mark the launch of Pause Fest, a technology and culture festival now in its eighth year. Their chips were preloaded with a three-day pass to the festival and will be programmed to unlock the door to their home, gym, or workplace, or potentially to function as their public transport pass.”
Commbank adds Face ID to mobile banking app
The new face of banking — Commonwealth Bank of Australia — “From today, iPhone X users will be able to use Face ID to securely log in to the CommBank app. ‘Our customers use secure fingerprint logins on the CommBank app about 30m times a month,’ said Pete Steel, Commonwealth Bank executive general manager of digital. ‘Extending that functionality to Face ID is part of our ongoing work to provide a better banking experience to our customers through simple, easy and secure features.'”
Australian banks form digital payments joint venture
NAB, Westpac and CBA team up with new payments app, Beem — The Sydney Morning Herald — “Three of the country’s banking giants are joining forces to allow instant payments between people or to small businesses via a smartphone, with plans to ultimately roll out a cross-industry ‘digital wallet’… The app will be the first service offered by a new digital payments joint venture that has been formed between CBA, NAB and Westpac… ANZ is not part of the joint venture but it has been involved in some of the discussions with rivals, and it may sign up in the future.”
Westpac to offer wearable payment options to customers
Westpac reveals ‘PayWear’ wearable payment technology — Westpac — “When speaking with customers, personal style and choice were important. In fact, 70% agreed that they would only wear a wearable device if it suited their own personal style and lifestyle. This is why we will collaborate with iconic Australian designers to create a variety of wearable accessory designs to suit different tastes, preferences and styles.”
Eftpos brings Apple Pay debit payments to Australia with Rambus tokenization technology
PARTNER NEWS: ANZ has become the first bank in Australia to enable customers to use Apple Pay to make mobile payments using the country’s Eftpos national debit payments network... More
Australian banks to offer real-time payments
Real-time payments to be launched after Australia Day — The Sydney Morning Herald — “The A$1bn project, triggered by a 2012 review of Australia’s payment infrastructure, will mean customers of different banks will be able to make and receive real-time payments, 24 hours a day and seven days a week… It will also allow consumers to arrange payments using their ‘PayID,’ such as a mobile phone number, instead of an account number or BSB. Customers will also be able to include 280 characters of text with a payment, up from 18 now.”
Macquarie open banking APIs let customers share transaction data with third parties
Macquarie to give customers data control with new open banking platform — ZDNet — “Information the new platform can share includes personal banking data such as a customer’s transactions and home loan balances, as well as their business and wealth information. It can be plugged into third-party providers like budgeting apps and accounting software, not just competing financial services providers; however, the third-party provider must meet Macquarie’s open platform standards and security criteria before it will turn over the data.”
Westpac pulls support for Tap & Pay
Why have we removed Westpac Tap & Pay? — Westpac — “We have removed Westpac Tap & Pay as more customers are choosing to use Android Pay and Samsung Pay for their additional features. We recommend you add your eligible Mastercard or Visa card to Android Pay or Samsung Pay so you can continue to quickly and securely pay with your smartphone at millions of stores worldwide.”
CBA to support Garmin Pay wearable payments in Australia
Commonwealth Bank announces new ways to pay with Android Pay and Garmin Pay — Commonwealth Bank of Australia — “In June this year we saw weekly transactions across the CommBank app hit A$6.1bn (US$4.89bn) so we know customers love using their phones to make payments and do their banking. Since 2013 our customers have been able to use their smartphones to make payments. By offering customers the ability to pay with Android Pay and with their Garmin smartwatches we are combining choice and convenience.”
ANZ first Australian bank to roll out voice ID for mobile banking
ANZ first Australian bank to roll out voice ID for mobile banking — ANZ — “This is a significant security update that will make it easier for our customers to complete high-value transactions on their smartphones… Customers can now make ‘Pay Anyone’ payments of more than A$1,000 on their mobile without needing to log into internet banking, or remember additional passwords or pins.”
Visa moves to kill PINs by pushing Aussie banks towards biometric authentication
Visa moves to kill PINs by pushing Aussie banks towards biometric authentication — The Australian Financial Review — “A new Visa security roadmap outlines a four-year process for Australian banks to adopt new standards for e-commerce transactions, designed to streamline the purchasing process and reduce fraud, while implementing new information-sharing practices and tokenization technology.”
How Australians pay: Evidence from the 2016 Consumer Payments survey
How Australians pay: Evidence from the 2016 Consumer Payments survey — Reserve Bank of Australia — “Cards were the most frequently used means of payment in the 2016 survey, overtaking cash for the first time. Contactless ‘tap and go’ cards are an increasingly popular way of making payments, displacing cash for many lower-value transactions… Consumers are increasingly using their mobile phones to make online and person-to-person payments.”
Facial recognition technology to replace passports at Australian airports
Facial recognition technology to replace passports at Australian airports — ZDNet — “New technology will be rolled out at Australian airports that will eventually see the end of ‘known passengers’ producing their passports when arriving in the country. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said on Wednesday the new AU$22.5 million, three-year contract will initially see 105 new smartgates rolled out that will enable passengers to be processed using facial recognition.”
Tap-and-go kills the cash cow
Tap-and-go kills the cash cow — Sydney Morning Herald – “Australia has become a nation of tappers, with official figures showing that the card has finally overtaken cash as our most-frequently-used payment method… The Reserve Bank attributes that to several factors, including the widespread rollout of tap-and-go Eftpos functionality. Around one-third of all point-of-sale payments are now made using tap-and-go.”
Coca-Cola reveals AI-powered vending machine app
Coca-Cola reveals AI-powered vending machine app — Venturebeat — “The app, which launches in about two weeks in places like US universities and locations around Australia and New Zealand, will allow you to order a Coca-Cola drink for yourself and a friend, then have it available on the vending machine.”
Eftpos Australia completes contactless debit card and mobile payments upgrade
Australia’s Eftpos debit card network has completed an infrastructure upgrade that will enable its partners to roll out new products and services including Eftpos Tap & Pay and Eftpos Mobile payments. The update also includes Australia’s first domestic token service provider, “complete and ready for commercial deployment”. More
Commuters on the F1 Manly to Circular Quay ferry first to tap into contactless ticketing on one of Sydney’s most iconic routes
Commuters on the F1 Manly to Circular Quay ferry first to tap into contactless ticketing on one of Sydney’s most iconic routes — Mastercard — “Paying for a ferry ride is now as easy as tap-and-go, as Mastercard and Transport for NSW bring contactless ticketing payment to Sydney Ferries… In an Australian first, commuters can use their Mastercard contactless card or mobile wallets that have enabled Mastercard cards to tap on.”
Citi Pay launches in the US
Citi Pay launches in the US — Citi — “Online and in-app purchases will be enabled through Citi’s integration of Masterpass… For Android users, the digital wallet also enables Citi cardholders to make in-store purchases by tapping their Android mobile devices at any NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal… In 2016, Citi Pay launched in Singapore, Australia and Mexico with tap and pay capabilities.”