Masters of Code
MasterCard’s global hackathon will hold its grand finale in San Francisco on December 4 and 5. The Masters of Code competition will include the winning teams from each of the 12 regional events.
Moneris EMV
Moneris Solutions has expanded its portfolio of EMV-capable solutions for merchants to accept EMV payments in the United States. Moneris’ EMV-capable product lineup features integrated and standalone solutions for merchants seeking net-new EMV payment solutions or terminal upgrades for existing point-of-sale (POS) systems.
German Cards & Payments
Germany is one of Europe’s largest payment cards markets, and is the third-largest in terms of annual card transaction value. It is still far from being recognized as a fully mature market, however, as the average number of monthly card transactions by consumers in Germany was 2.5 in 2014, much lower than France (9.4) and the UK (6.5).
Mozido & SimplyTapp
Austin-based Mozido is plowing big bucks into HCE (host card emulation) technology via a strategic investment in SimplyTapp.
Mozido will leverage SimplyTapp’s open card issuance platform to allow merchants to support NFC for more efficient and secure transactions within the merchants’ branded mobile application environment.
Google + Softcard
Google has acquired technology and intellectual property from Softcard to integrate into Google Wallet. The deal means the end of the Softcard, a joint venture of AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless.
NFC 2020
New research expects Near Field Communications (NFC)-enabled mobile handset payments will account for $130 billion globally in consumer retail spend by 2020.
Calpian & Apple Pay
Dallas-based Calpian has successfully enabled Apple Pay for its merchant customers as they respond to growing consumer interest in the new mobile payment service. In the process of updating equipment and installing Apple services, Calpian merchants report experiencing multiple benefits, including increased security and faster throughput at checkout.
Apple Pay Litigation?
The recent decision by CVS and Rite Aid to block contactless payments Apple Pay and Google Wallet in their stores may have incentivized litgation.
Mickey Dees NFC
While CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart trashed Apple Pay this week, McDonald’s U.S. customers have another way to pay for their orders, thanks to a collaboration with Softcard. Customers will now be able to tap and pay both in-restaurant and in the drive-thru lane at all U.S. McDonald’s locations, marking the largest deployment of NFC-based mobile commerce in drive-thru.
SpyderWash® Elite
PA-based USA Technologies unveiled a mobile payments, offers and loyalty program with Softcard designed for the multi-billion dollar commercial laundry market. Under the program, consumers using Setomatic Systems’ new SpyderWash Elite laundry machines enabled with NFC and SmartTap®mobile commerce technology will receive a 25% discount on purchases made with the Softcard app.
Global NFC POS
The Global NFC POS Terminals market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 57.9% between 2013 and 2018. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the increasing penetration of NFC-based mobile handsets. Terminals have also been witnessing the increasing penetration of NFC POS terminals in the transportation sector for ticketing transactions.
Calpian & Apple Pay
Dallas-based global mobile payments technology specialist and processor, Calpian is set to support Apple Pay and provide merchants with access to Apple’s new mobile payments ecosystem. Calpian will integrate Apple services into its point-of-sale payment hardware and software, and provide its merchant clients with the tools and support they need accept payments over Apple’s NFC-based payment solution.