ONLINE PAYMENTS OUTFIT Paypal aims to take on Barclays and Visa with its own high-street mobile payments application, Paypal Instore, which enables users to make payments on their smartphone without NFC.
The app, which The INQUIRER got its hands on earlier today, is available on the Iphone, Ipad and Android smartphones, and provides customers with a unique barcode for making mobile payments straight from their Paypal account. The service will launch initially in four stores - Coast, Oasis, Karen Millen and Warehouse - with another 11 retailers set to join over the next few months.
To make a payment, users simply need to download the Paypal app, tap 'Pay in store' from the homescreen, enter a unique four-digit pin and show the on-screen barcode to the cashier. The app will also tell you if there are any discounts on offer at the store, which will automatically be deducted from the total amount. The payment, of course, will be taken from your Paypal balance, and you'll receive a confirmation email from the company as usual.
Cameron McLean, managing director of Paypal UK said the app highlights that mobile payments don't need to rely on NFC. He said, "Today's move underlines our view that mobile payments don't need near field communication (NFC) technology to succeed."
He added, "PayPal's 'pay by mobile' service works with the phones most of our customers already own. And our retail partner doesn't have to install new systems to take in-store mobile payments."
The service is available for use in stores at Westfield Stratford in London from today, and will roll out nationwide tomorrow. Unfortunately the app's not yet available on Windows Phone or Blackberry handsets, but McLean, told The INQUIRER that these apps are under development. He was unable to estimate release dates, however.
Check back later today to view our hands-on video of Paypal's high street payments app. µ
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