![Isis Moble Wallet Isis Mobile Wallet](http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/2012/05/Isis-Mobile-Wallet-SXSW1-660x515.jpg)
A demonstration of the Isis Mobile Wallet app running on an Android smartphone from HTC. Photo: Isis
Isis also announced that hundreds of local retailers in Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah, will accept payments using its Isis Mobile Wallet platform later this summer when the wave-and-pay effort officially launches.
As for which smartphones will actually work with Isis, the mobile payments consortium is keeping mum.
Isis, like its rival Google Wallet, uses the Near Field Communication (NFC) chips found in many smartphones to store either a user’s credit card data, or a pre-loaded amount of digital cash. With their Isis phones, users will be able to make purchases by waving or tapping their smartphones on an Isis-compatible check-out scanner.
Google Wallet is already working with check-out scanners in more than 100,000 retail locations, including big-name stores such as the Gap, Office Max, Toys ‘R’ Us and Walgreens. However, Google Wallet is stymied by its poor smartphone support — it’s currently available in only four phones from Sprint, and none from Isis backers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
The national retailers opting into Isis include the clothing store chain AĆ©ropostale, Coca-Cola (via vending machines), Dillard’s department stores, Foot Locker and its subsidiary Champs Sports, Jamba Juice and Macy’s, said Tom Cook, an Isis spokesman. Cook said various local-only retailers in Austin and Salt Lake City will also support Isis payments.
Roping in all these prominent brands names is a win for Isis, but don’t feel too bad for Google Wallet. Coca-Cola, Footlocker, Champs, Jamba Juice and Macy’s are already working with Google’s mobile payment scheme.
No comments:
Post a Comment