Social messaging service WhatsApp has begun testing a service that enables users to send group invites and join a group chat via links, NFC or QR codes... More
Archive: News in brief
FCC authorizes mysterious Apple product
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized the sale of a mysterious Apple product that comes with support for NFC... More
LG Pay delays launch, cites testing issues
LG has delayed the introduction of LG Pay mobile payments due to issues testing the service in South Korea, according to Android Headlines... More
Square brings contactless reader to Australia
Square’s contactless chip reader is now available in Australia, enabling businesses to accept contactless transactions and NFC mobile payments... More
US gets same day ACH
The Electronic Payments Association (NACHA) has launched phase one of Same Day ACH (Automated Clearing House) across the US, allowing businesses and consumers to send and receive payments and payment-related information on the same day through the ACH Network... More
Kohl’s to allow checkouts from mobile app
US department store chain Kohl’s is rolling out a new capability that will allow holders of its store-branded charge card to checkout directly from its mobile app... More
Contactless POS transactions nearing $500bn
The global annual value of contactless point of sale terminal transactions — conducted in-store using cards, mobile phones and wearables — will approach US$500bn in 2017, up from an estimated $321bn this year, Juniper Research predicts... More
250 products are now Fido certified
Some 250 products from global technology leaders are now Fido certified, the Fido Alliance has revealed... More
Domino’s Pizza enables Messenger ordering
US consumers can now make purchases from Domino’s Pizza through Facebook’s Messenger app using the fast food chain’s new ordering bot... More
Apple Pay adds more US financial institutions
Apple has added more than 30 banks and credit unions to its list of Apple Pay supporting financial institutions in the US, 9to5mac reports... More
Gemalto wins award for mobile ticketing
PARTNER NEWS: Digital security giant Gemalto has won the Best Consumer Offering award for its Celego contactless wristband technology by Juniper Research... More
mVisa launches in Kenya
Visa has launched its mVisa QR code-based mobile payment service in Kenya with Co-operative Bank, Family Bank, KCB and NIC Bank... More
Android Pay adds 44 US banks
Google has added a further 44 banks and credit unions to its list of Android Pay supporters in the US, following support from UK banks Santander, Royal Bank of Scotland, Natwest and Ulster Bank earlier this month and the addition of TSB announced this week... More
Sierra takes Apple Pay to Safari
Apple’s latest macOS Sierra update is making Apple Pay available for web purchases through Safari on desktop devices... More
Curve launches rewards, raises $3m in funding
London-based startup Curve has launched a virtual Curve Rewards card through an app that allows consumers to spend points as currency when using the company’s physical payment card... More
Frost Bank joins ClearXChange
US financial institution Frost Bank has joined Early Warning’s bank-led digital payments network ClearXChange... More
TSB adds Android Pay support
Customers of UK bank TSB can now add their debit and credit cards to Android Pay and earn cashback for purchases... More
MTN ends Mobile Money in South Africa
Mobile network operator MTN has discontinued its Mobile Money service in South Africa due to “lack of commercial viability” following its launch in 2012... More
Walmart to stop accepting Visa in Manitoba
Retail giant Walmart is to stop accepting Visa credit cards at its 16 stores in the Canadian province of Manitoba, beginning 24 October 2016... More
Best Buy signs on to Chase Pay
US retail giant Best Buy has signed a multiyear agreement to accept Chase Pay QR code-based mobile payments in-store, in-app and online... More