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Pay an American Express bill just by talking to Alexa
With Amazon's Alexa getting smarter every day, soon enough you won't have to do much yourself. American Express is the latest company to tap into the virtual assistant's skills, allowing customers to use voice commands to check their account balance, review recent charges or make a payment. Alexa devices will also connect to Amex Offers, which is going to let card members browse limited-time deals that may be available through their card. It's worth noting American Express isn't the first financial service to bring these kind of features to Amazon's platform; Capital One started doing something similar earlier this year. If you have an Amex card, as well as an Alexa-enabled device, you can learn how to set this up right here.
American Express cardholders can now buy goods by tweeting special hashtags
If driving to a store and waving your phone by a terminal puts too much sweat on your brow, American Express has launched a new way to part with your money in exchange for physical goods that's even more effortless. Since last year, Amex Sync has let American Express cardholders earn discounts in return for posting tweets including hashtags about certain products, and now it's letting them buy things just by tweeting similar codes. After signing up for the service (and linking their Twitter handle), users can send out a tweet with #BuyAmexGiftCard25, reply to the @AmexSync account to confirm their purchase and wait for the package to arrive via free 2-day shipping. As of now, the outfit is offering a $25 American Express gift card for $15, but will being offering up new products, ranging from a Kindle Fire HD to an Xbox 360, with sweetened prices starting February 13 at noon EST. Not a Twitter user? According to AllThingsD, Leslie Berland, Amex's SVP of digital partnerships and development, says the solution will head to the likes of Facebook and other platforms at some point as well.
AmEx, Starbucks announce plans for Passbook integration: both live by end of the month
When it launched with iOS 6 this Wednesday, Apple's Passbook mobile-ticketing feature boasted a handful of high-profile partners -- including Fandango, Live Nation, Lufthansa and Ticketmaster -- but that list still leaves plenty of room for fleshing out. According to Venture Beat, AmEx is launching integration with Passbook later today. The credit card company's Passbook functionality will include notifications for new account transactions, along with the ability to view your current balance and redeem membership rewards points. The service can also use smartphones' location to verify charges flagged as suspicious. Starbucks, which was featured in an early Passbook demo at WWDC, also announced the timeline for its integration with the service, tweeting today that an "update is coming at the end of the month" and offering no further details. Judging by Apple's earlier previews, Passbook will let customers pay with a Starbucks card. The coffee chain's Passbook functionality looks to be quite similar to its partnership with Square, which will be the go-to mobile payments option for non-iOS customers when it launches this fall.
AMEX and Zynga team up for themed card, replace cash back with FarmVille rewards
Have you ever judged a friend's financial savvy based on the rewards yield of the cards in their wallet? Now you won't have a choice. For those of you that abhor free flights, detest comped hotel rooms and net severe displeasure from earning cash back, AMEX may finally have your plastic match. It's called the Zynga Serve Rewards card -- yes, the same Zynga that's behind time-sink cash cows like FarmVille, CityVille and CastleVille (?!) -- and it enables you to accrue "Zynga Farm Cash," which as you might imagine provides no financial gratification in the physical world. "FarmVille players now have the ability to plant an interactive Serve Money Tree in their Farms which will give them the ability to level up in game and earn Zynga Farm Cash for virtual awards redemption." We can't make this stuff up. The co-branded prepaid card is tied to a US currency-filled bank account, debit or credit card, and rewards will be assigned for your first five purchases of $25 -- at launch, with further incentives to come later this year. On top of that limitation, there's also a fairly outrageous fee structure (which effectively translates to 2.9 percent of each transaction when the account is funded with another credit card), detailed in full at the source link. Well, at least the card is colorful. Go tell that "Serve Money Tree" that water's on the way!
Isis bolsters its mobile wallet with American Express cards
The carrier-backed Isis mobile payment service added a batch of new financial partners earlier this year, and it's now back with another fairly big addition. The venture announced today that it has brought American Express' various credit card offerings into the fold (including the company's own mobile-linked Serve cards), which will let users of those cards load them into the Isis app and make payments with their NFC-equipped smartphone -- when the service begins its rollout this summer, that is. As you may recall, American Express itself had already signed on as an Isis partner last year, but this is the first time that the company has committed to tying its cards to the platform -- which is a rather important little detail.
Verizon Wireless to tie American Express' Serve into mobile numbers, keep your credit card holstered
Good news online shopaholics, your tchotchke-buying ways are getting a couple of enablers in the form of American Express and Verizon Wireless. The two titans of industry have teamed up to integrate AMEX's PayPal-like Serve platform into the operator's phones and tablets in the next few months. The service will work by linking your existing mobile number to a Serve account, speeding up the checkout process and ensuring you never second-guess that impulse buy. Sure, this isn't the NFC-chipped, Isis future Big Red promised, but it's a good stopgap for virtual spendthrifts.
Amex wants to Serve up money from your iPhone
The ability to leave your wallet at home and pay -- or get paid -- for everything with your iPhone is a hot ticket for financial service providers, and today it got even hotter. Amex announced a new payment service called Serve that is available immediately, and while you'll still need a card for paying for items at locations that take American Express cards, that card is completely tied to your Serve account. The Serve card can be reloaded either from the Serve website or from an iPhone or Android-based phone app, then used at any Amex location. The company also wants you to use Serve to facilitate person to person transactions. Amex uses the examples of paying your nanny, paying an allowance to your kids or giving an employee an expense account. All the other person needs is a Serve account and a device to access the account. Got an iPhone? You can send or receive payments, and there's no need for a card-swiping dongle or a special Near Field Communication (NFC) case for your device. Available only in the US at this point, Amex also touts the security of the new system. Serve uses an "advanced" encryption system, a confidential PIN and multi-factor authentication to ensure that your account can only be used by you. Amex bought out would-be PayPal competitor Revolution Money last year and acquired the technology used in Serve. Earlier this month, Visa announced an agreement with Fiserv and CashEdge that will let the payment apps from those companies -- ZashPay and POPmoney -- work with Visa accounts. Not to be left out, Google is looking into an agreement with MasterCard and Citigroup for an NFC-based payment system. [via Macworld]
American Express challenges PayPal with 'Serve' digital payment platform
American Express may have been lagging a bit behind the likes of Visa and Mastercard with digital payments over the years, but it's making a pretty big play in the field today. It's just announced its new "Serve" digital payment platform, which is more or less a straight-on competitor to PayPal. That means you'll be able to transfer funds to your Serve account from your bank account or credit card, send money to others using either the website or mobile app (currently available for iOS and Android), and even link your account to a reloadable Serve card, which you can use at any retailer that accepts American Express credit cards. Nothing fancy like NFC payments just yet, but American Express is promising to "quickly evolve" the platform by adding new features and functionality, and it's hoping to kick start things by waiving most of the consumer fees for the first six months. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and hit up the source link below if you'd like to sign up.
Amex Digital claims 'world's smallest 1080p media player' with MP-501
It's hardly as small as Thomson's A1, but it just might be the most diminutive media player in existence to actually handle 1080p without breaking too serious a sweat. Measuring just 175- x 128- x 15mm and weighing 250 grams, this pocket sized player can accept a multitude of film formats from a connected USB storage device or an SD card; once the media's flowing, it can output content as high as 1080p over HDMI, and there's also a composite video / audio output and mini-USB port 'round back. The MP-501 is equipped with an ARM Cortex-A8 processor and the ability to play nice with nearly every file under the sun that's stripped of DRM, and best of all, it's purportedly priced at just $49. Did you just stumble upon your next laptop case compartment filler? Yes, yes you did.
Amex Digital's SP-7 digiframe doubles as a printer
Although Amex Digital's SP-7 can't claim to be the first digital photo frame with an inbuilt printer, it's certainly among the first to ever pull it off for under two bills. The basic specs include a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, a multicard reader, USB connectivity, integrated speakers, adjustable brightness, a mini remote and support for both audio and video files. Curiously enough, Amex doesn't even bother explaining what size prints this thing shoots out, where to find replacement paper and how to initiate printing. But, as we alluded to earlier, it's just $199, so don't be shocked to end up figuring all this out on our own.
AMEX Digital's SR-7 / SW-7 digiframes do more than show slideshows, induce naps
We've seen the future of the digiframe, and it's... well, less boring than what we've been forced to deal with previously. AMEX Digital is acting rather proactively by outing two newcomers with lots of extra functionality bundled in. 'Course, it remains to be seen if you're even interested in those extra goodies, but you can appreciate the effort regardless. The SR-7 includes a 7-inch 800 x 480 display and doubles as a radio controlled clock (with dual alarms) and a digital indoor thermometer; as for the SW-7, it includes most of the same features but throws in weather forecasting to boot. There's no price or release date to share on either, but we get the impression AMEX will be willing to let these go pretty cheap.%Gallery-43578%
Amex Digital launches $239 BD-P1 Blu-ray player
Given that Blu-ray player prices are supposed to be headed downwards, we're a bit miffed by this one. Amex Digital, who is usually good for delivering wares on the cheap, has just announced a standalone Blu-ray deck for $239 (MSRP). Of course, we can't imagine the unit streeting for that, but we digress. As for specs, the deck includes built-in Ethernet, USB 2.0, HDMI 1.3 / component / composite outputs, optical / coaxial digital audio ports and integrated Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoders. There's no indication of its Profile status, but unless you can find this puppy for around $175 or less, it probably matters not.
Amex Digital does what Steve won't, intros portable Blu-ray burner for Macs
A "bag of hurt," huh Steve? How do you like these Apples? Amex Digital has stepped in to give prospective MacBook / MacBook Pro owners (and anyone with a fresh USB-equipped Mac, really) the ability to watch and burn Blu-ray Discs... so long as they're cool with hauling around an external unit. The glossy black / white drive (coincidence?) is pretty much a Blu flavor of the portable Super Multi Drive it churned out in July. It'll burn BD-RE / -R (single-layer) discs at 2x, while dual-layer versions will only toast at 1x; as for blank DVDs, they'll get done at a rate of 4x to 8x depending on flavor. Not too painful at just $289, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Jobs?[Thanks, A1]
Amex Digital does what Steve wouldn't, intros portable Blu-ray burner for Macs
A "bag of hurt," huh Steve? How do you like these Apples? Amex Digital has stepped in to give prospective MacBook / MacBook Pro owners (and anyone with a fresh USB-equipped Mac, really) the ability to watch and burn Blu-ray Discs... so long as they're cool with hauling around an external unit. The glossy black / white drive (coincidence?) is pretty much a Blu flavor of the portable Super Multi Drive it churned out in July. It'll burn BD-RE / -R (single-layer) discs at 2x, while dual-layer versions will only toast at 1x; as for blank DVDs, they'll get done at a rate of 4x to 8x depending on flavor. Not too painful at just $289, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Jobs?[Thanks, A1]
AMEX offers up RM-mp1 media center remote
Though we'd certainly like to see a few hands-on shots of this beauty just to quiet that annoying doubter in the rear of our mind that this is merely a concept, AMEX's RM-mp1 is reportedly the real deal. Said remote features wireless USB, support for Windows Media Center, a built-in touchpad / laser pointer and a black or white motif. Beyond that, details are admittedly scant, but we'll certainly be crossing our fingers that this mystical device crosses the waters to America in short order.
Amex's TSK-VX7 Windows Vista Keyboard with Touch Senses keys
Sure, we get the whole touch-sensitive keypad on phones. Nevertheless, we still prefer to slather on the tactile feedback when it comes to our full-sized keyboards. That being said, touch-tech still might have a niche for limited QWERTY action while driving your Media Center from the couch. So check it Vista boy, that's the TSK-VX7 Windows Vista Keyboard up there sportin' Amex's new "Touch Senses Keys" spotted earlier on their dual-mode Skype handset. It uses 2.4GHz RF technology for 30 feet of wireless travel away from the USB dongle. Fine, but what really caught our attention is Amex's claim that their new take on the touch-sensitive keyboard is so good that it "delivers the ultimate in feel and response." Doubtful, but we'll be sure to go hands-on with this one in Hannover Germany where it'll be on display for the big CeBIT show starting March 15th. [Via Akihabara News]
Amex's TSP-VS501 dual-mode DECT handset for Skype
Oh lordy, can it be... a decently designed Skype handset? In a sea of craplastic Skype phones, up washes the sleek TSP-VS501 Skype handset with touch-sensitive keys. Better yet, this dual-mode phone from Amex Digital also works with your regular ol' PSTN home line. Just connect the telephone line and computer (via USB) to the included base station and you're good-to-go just as far as the DECT cordless handset will take you -- in other words, about 150 feet indoors. The handset packs everything you need for making and receiving traditional analog or Skype calls including your Skype buddy list showing current availability. No pricing or availability but we'll be sure to check it while on display at CeBIT in just a few weeks. [Via Akihabara News]
AMEX's i-Talk Nano VoIP Phone
Our friends at AMEX took the occasion of Computex to debut their oh-so-cleverly-named i-Talk Nano VoIP phone. Seriously guys, we're just dumb with amazement at your marketing staff. High fives all around for that one. The phone ain't too bad either, but it's not like there's a lot going here. The phone can work with nearly all VoIP software, including Skype, and operates over USB 2.0. No drivers are needed on XP or Mac OS, since this is about as basic as it gets for VoIP hardware. We do like the look, but we'll leave it at that.[Via Akihabara]
