Leaf unveils next-gen LeafPresenter Android POS tablet for taking payments

You're at a coffee shop or restaurant and it's time to pay for your sustenance. After reaching for your wallet, you're presented with... an Android tablet? This particular scenario is taking place more and more often as small businesses are taking their point-of-sale systems mobile, and Leaf is one of the big contenders battling for market share in this industry. Its signature product, known as the LeafPresenter, is an Android-based tablet with a funky lip on the top right that allows for mag-stripe credit card transactions. While the first-gen version of the device has been out for some time, Leaf is ready to branch out later this summer with a new model that offers more functionality.

In addition to a newer forked version of Android (Leaf OS), the upcoming LeafPresenter throws in NFC, EMV and gift card support, as well as a 2MP front-facing camera, 1,280x800 display and better battery. Last but not least, the new device also includes support for a Leaf-branded third-party app store geared toward small business usage. While there's no specific cost to the tablet itself, business owners will need to fork over $50 per month for the opportunity to use it. Check the press release after the break for more.

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Leaf Unveils Second Generation of its Built-for-Business Tablet

New Technology Enhances Payment Acceptance Options for Small Businesses

Cambridge, Mass. – May 14, 2013 – Leaf, creators of the world's first tablet specifically designed for commerce, today unveiled the second version of its LeafPresenter™ with hardware and software improvements that make it even easier for local merchants to run and grow their business. Out-of-the-box, the LeafPresenter provides small and medium size businesses (SMBs) with a feature-rich mobile ordering and checkout device capable of accepting payments via their choice of processor or next-generation payment methods such as PayPal, LevelUp and other mobile wallets.

Version two of the LeafPresenter introduces numerous hardware enhancements including an improved camera capable of reading 1D and 2D barcodes, a second camera on the front of the tablet, a HD-quality display and a more efficient battery that charges faster and stays charged longer. All of these enhancements are built into a smaller, lighter and more rugged tablet that's designed to meet the needs of various environments in which local merchants conduct business. From restaurants, where busy servers require a light and durable device with great battery life, to food trucks that require high-resolution displays to be legible in bright sunlight, the updated design and advanced technology included in the new LeafPresenter can meet a wide range of business needs. In addition, it is powered by an updated version of the Leaf OS, a custom operating system designed for payment security, speed and usability.

The new LeafPresenter also makes Near Field Communication (NFC), Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) and gift card support standard features. This reinforces the company's open approach to payment acceptance, which gives businesses the freedom to accept new forms of payment and work with the traditional payment provider of their choice, all from one device. In addition, advanced technology included in the new LeafPresenter gives third-party developers all the options they might want or need when building apps to be included in the Leaf Appstore™, the first app store specifically for small business.

"Leaf is on a mission to turn standard point of sale into point of smart interactions for small businesses, so it's important that we stay on the cutting edge of technology," said Aron Schwarzkopf, CEO of Leaf. "Cameras on phones and tablets have been used in niche cases for payment and loyalty, but I'm sure we haven't even scratched the surface of how tablet hardware can improve the customer experience. We want to enable creative developers on our platform to have all the tools they need to come up with game-changing ideas. The combination of secure payment technology with the latest hardware and internet connectivity in the LeafPresenter creates limitless possibilities for them."

While large retailers and restaurants have made significant investments in costly mobile ordering, mobile checkout and customer engagement solutions in recent years, they've left small merchants searching for a way to compete. The second generation LeafPresenter brings new, powerful functionality to SMBs in a simple and easy-to-use manner at a fraction of the cost. For $50/month, merchants can throw away their old cash registers to begin using the LeafPresenter and LeafBusiness, the company's powerful online business management and analytics tool.

Version 2 of the LeafPresenter will be available starting this summer. To order a new Presenter and begin using Leaf, visit www.leaf.me.