Google, MasterCard, Citigroup Team on NFC-Based Payments
Mar 27, 2011, 8:31 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Mar 27, 2011, 10:15 PM
According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Google is partnering with MasterCard and Citigroup in hopes of launching a near-field communication (NFC)-based mobile payment system for its Android phones later this year. The Journal's sources say that the system will work with one existing Android device, the Samsung Nexus S, and many Android handsets that are yet to come. VeriFone will also play a role, providing the mobile payment terminals at retail locations across the country. Google will not take a piece of the transaction, but it will gather and analyze end-user data in order to sell more effective advertising to local merchants. The Nexus S has an NFC chip inside, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread supports NFC systems. The Journal's sources didn't say exactly when the NFC-based payment program would launch. RIM has committed to adding NFC to future BlackBerries. VeriFone CEO Doug Bergeron told the Journal that Apple will add NFC capabilities to future versions of the iPhone, though Apple has not announced any such support.
Comments
One of thse companies is not like the other....