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A week with Google Wallet (video)
Contactless payments have been something of a curiosity in the credit card industry. MasterCard's PayPass has been around for the better part of a decade, but merchants and banks alike seem hesitant to adopt the technology required to make the system work, and inconsistent implementation adds to the confusion -- particularly for customers. Google's new mobile phone-based Wallet service has the potential to transform the technology from its current status as a transaction turkey, to a future as a checkout champion. But will it work? We spent a week with a Wallet-enabled Nexus S 4G, using the device to pay whenever we encountered a MasterCard PayPass terminal. Unfortunately, that wasn't often enough, limiting us to just a handful of transactions in the first week. Still, with Google just beginning to roll out the service and only a limited selection of launch partners ready to go, it's impossible to deliver a complete verdict just yet. Jump past the break for an inside look at Google Wallet, including a video of the service in action, and a brief look at what the world of contactless payments may look like in the future.%Gallery-130759%
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.
Motorola's Atrix Certificate Updater remedies its mobile banking blunder
If you're an Atrix 4G user who has been reeling since your banking apps failed, go ahead and cancel that next therapist appointment -- thankfully for you, a permanent fix is now available in the Android Market. Motorola's Atrix Certificate Updater swaps the troublesome security signatures from v4.1.83 with versions that should play nicely alongside your mobile banking apps. If you're a sucker for punishment and want to restore the v4.1.83 certificates, the change can be reverted by relaunching Motorola's updater. With this misstep out of the way, you can enjoy the Memorial Day holiday and keep your financial life in order -- even while your bank's doors remain tightly locked.
Motorola's Atrix 4G update 4.1.83 breaks the bank (literally)
Fans of mobile banking are discovering harsh surprises after updating their Atrix 4G to v4.1.83. Amongst the numerous improvements in this release (including the widely touted HSUPA fix), Motorola added new SSL certificates to the mix. While such a change would normally be inconsequential, many banking apps have stopped functioning with the new certificates in place -- a rude shock for anyone needing to deposit a paycheck. So far, Moto confirms that American Express, Bank of America, Chase and Discover are affected -- while Wells Fargo and Citibank's apps run just fine. Motorola plans to issue a workaround for affected users, but currently suggests that everyone access their financial institution through Android's web browser. Maybe it's just us, but this sounds like a fine opportunity to take the new Firefox 4 for a spin. [Thanks, David]
Apple Stores stocking Square credit card readers
Jack Dorsey's über-popular credit card readers got a big thumbs-up from Cupertino this week. Square's devices are hitting Apple's 235 US retail locations and Apple.com for $9.95 a pop -- plus the 2.75 percent that the startup takes off the backend each time you use the reader -- or you can always just sign up for a free one over on Square's site. The iPhone / iPad / iPod touch plug-in accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and yes, even American Express. The CEO of VeriFone will no doubt have plenty to say about the matter. Update: It turns out you get a $10 redemption code in the box when you buy a Square reader at an Apple store, so it is still technically free (just not, you know, when you buy it). [Thanks, Michael]
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.
Get five free songs on iTunes with your American Express card
If you have an American Express card, the company wants to give you five songs on iTunes for free. Just hit up this URL and enter your card information (we double-checked -- it's an official deal, not a scam), and then whenever you buy five songs on iTunes with the same card, you'll get refunded the price. Nice bonus for the weekend, if you happen to be an AmEx card holder. It's also an interesting way to get you to use your AmEx for iTunes purchases. If you've been meaning to pick up The Beatles ever since their music finally appeared on the store, now's your chance. Enjoy! [via TMO]
Amex mulls iPhone purchase rebate policy
Readers report that calls to the American Express Return Protection line (1-800-297-8019) are being met with mixed results. Some readers say they are now accepting claims concerning the $200 dollar iPhone price drop, others have had less luck When I called, I was told that customers would be sent to a claims examiner to determine whether the difference in purchase price would be covered. I placed a call to Molly Faust, the American Express Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for U.S. Consumer Card and Customer Service Delivery. She told me that she was already looking into this matter and promised to get back to me. According to one TUAW reader, a protection-line operator said "the number of calls we've received about this is utterly insane." More as this develops.Update: Molly Faust contacted me again and says to emphasize that this is being handled on a case-by-case basis and that the refunds are not an official program or policy.
Deal of the Day: PSP Entertainment Pack for $185 [Update 1]
American Express members can get access to a fantastic deal. Their "My Wishlist" promotion allows cardmembers to buy products at heavily discounted prices, such as a Porsche for $5,000 or a Blu-Ray player for $475. PSP fans will be most interested in the Entertainment Pack, which includes the system, ATV Offroad Fury, one movie UMD and a 1GB Memory Stick for only $185. You may already have a system, but let's not forget that the holidays are just around the corner.[Update 1: Deal is dead. Looks like people really want a PSP... as long as the price is right. Sony, you hear us?]
Researchers hack RFID credit cards. Big surprise.
RFID has been riddled with so many problems, it's amazing that anyone even has a shred of confidence in this technology at all. Our latest security problem du jour is that credit card companies are apparently issuing plastic that relays your digits wirelessly; as you might have guessed, security researchers are checking into this, and in a demonstration for The New York Times, easily hacked a University of Massachusetts computer science professor's newfangled RFID credit card. In short order (and with his permission), a researcher working with RSA Labs was able to steal the professor's name and credit card number that was being transmitted in cleartext -- thereby poking massive holes in Visa, MasterCard and American Express' claims that these card include "the highest level of encryption allowed by the U.S. government." Predictably, the credit card companies have already dismissed claims that the populus will be greatly affected by this hack. Brian Triplett, senior vice president for emerging-product development for Visa, told the Gray Lady: "This is an interesting technical exercise, but as a real threat to a consumer - that threat really doesn't exist." Well, Brian, care to put your plastic where your mouth is?[Via TechDirt]
