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Chinese hackers attacked the company behind Samsung Pay
A notorious group of state-sponsored Chinese hackers reportedly broke into the computer systems of LoopPay, the company that created the tech used in Samsung Pay. According to the NYT, the breach by the so-called Codoso Group occurred in March, well before Samsung acquired LoopPay for $250 million. The technology forms the core of Samsung's mobile payment system, which launched in the US on September 28th. However, Samsung says that "Samsung Pay was not impacted and at no point was any personal payment information at risk."
Verizon: Samsung Pay support is coming in a software update
Last we heard, Verizon was still evaluating whether or not it would support Samsung Pay. But today the carrier shared some good news, revealing it will open its doors to the Korean company's mobile payment solution. Unfortunately, Verizon decided to keep the announcement vague, only going as far as saying that support for Samsung Pay is set to be available "through a future software update." Once it arrives, though, you'll need to have a compatible device to take advantage of the feature -- and this includes the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5. Hang tight, at least now you know it's actually coming.
Samsung Pay goes live in the US
Got one of Samsung's newer smartphones? Most likely, you can use it to make purchases across the US: as promised, Samsung Pay has launched Stateside. The technology lets you buy goods most anywhere that accepts card- or NFC-based payments, so you probably won't have to fret about bringing out your wallet at the local shop. If anything, the big challenge is getting the exact combination of hardware and credit cards needed to make this work. You'll need a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ or Note 5 running on one of four big US carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or US Cellular), and you'll need an American Express, MasterCard or Visa card issued through large banks like Bank of America, Citi or US Bank. Don't expect to pay for snacks with your credit union card and a Verizon phone, then. This is still a big deal if you're a Samsung fan, though, and the company is promising broader support over time.
Samsung Pay is a hit in its home country
Samsung Pay has barely been available for a month in its home country of South Korea, but that isn't stopping Samsung from crowing about its early success. The tech giant says that it has already seen the equivalent of $30 million in transactions in that first month, spread across 1.5 million purchases. That's not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it's "beyond" what the company was hoping for. These aren't just one-and-done tests, either. About 36 percent of users were active in the past month, while 10 percent were enthusiastic enough to use Samsung Pay every day. And in case you're curious, the Galaxy Note 5 was the weapon of choice -- 60 percent of Korean purchases went through the supersized phone.
Apple Pay gets ready to launch in China
Apple is thriving in China, so you can imagine that it's practically salivating at the thought of launching Apple Pay in the country -- and it looks like that may happen relatively soon. The state-backed newspaper Wenhui News has learned that Apple quietly registered a payment business in Shanghai's free trade zone back in June. While it wasn't exactly clear what this would entail at the time, Wall Street Journal sources claim that the new business exists chiefly to bring Apple Pay to China. This doesn't guarantee an imminent debut (Apple still has to line up banks and stores), but the groundwork is now in place. If all goes well, it shouldn't be too long before tapping your iPhone lets you buy goods in Beijing.
Android Pay reaches Google Play, ready for all in the US
Sure, Android Pay started its slow rollout last week, but with Google's staged distribution you probably didn't have it yet. Now, the Android team has announced it's officially available on Google Play, so if you live in the US, you should have it on your NFC-equipped phone with Android 4.4 or higher, replacing the old Google Wallet app. Just add a card and you'll be ready to tap-to-pay (even if you were already set up with Wallet). Of course, even with the slow rollout, some people have had issues with compatibility, using the app on rooted phones or receiving errant messages about unsupported cards. Some of those may be fixed if you have the latest version of Google Play Services, so check that first, while others like fingerprint verification need Android Marshmallow.
Barclaycard to launch NFC payments on Android ahead of Apple Pay
Since Apple Pay launched in the UK, several banks have been dragging their heels when it comes to supporting the contactless payment platform. Lloyds and Halifax begun a gradual roll-out just last week, casting renewed shade on Barclays, which appears to be more interested in its bPay gear (and jacket) than throwing iPhone and Apple Watch users a bone. The banking giant said some time ago it'll eventually play nice with Apple Pay, but it's decided in the interim to turn its attention to Android users. Its credit card arm, Barclaycard, announced today that from November, its Android app will begin supporting NFC payments. These payments won't be limited to the (recently raised) £30 contactless cap, too, with transactions of up to £100 allowed with PIN authentication (similar to Apple Pay).
Lloyds and Halifax now support Apple Pay in the UK
Apple Pay had a difficult start in the UK. Not all of the banks supported it at launch, leaving some iPhone and Apple Watch owners feeling frustrated. Slowly but surely, however, most of the major players have now jumped on board. Lloyds and Halifax are the latest to enter the fray -- some customers are reporting that they're able to link their accounts and make payments. It appears to be a gradual roll-out, however, so if your card isn't supported just yet, we suspect it will be shortly. As 9to5Mac reports, that brings the grand total up to 11 banks in the UK: American Express, First Direct, HSBC, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, NationWide, MBNA, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and Ulster. The most glaring omission? Barclays, which is probably still hoping that you'll adopt bPay instead.
Discover cards will work with Apple Pay starting September 16th
Discover has been dragging its heels on Apple Pay support for its credit cards (it confirmed its plans back in the spring), but it's finally ready to get with the mobile payment program. The firm now expects to roll out Apple Pay compatibility on September 16th, with perks (such as a 10 percent cashback bonus and additional travel miles) kicking in if you use Apple's tech to buy goods before the end of 2015. This might not matter much to you if you're a loyal AmEx, MasterCard or Visa fan, but the move means that every major US credit card provider now accepts the iPhone-only service. While this still doesn't represent truly universal card support in Apple Pay, it's much closer than before.
Android Pay coming to US on August 26th, according to McDonald's
It's hard to get super excited about mobile payments, but Android Pay will give a large number of folks a new way to pay for things. A new document from McDonald's unearthed by Android Police shows that the restaurant chain is preparing its employees to accept Android Pay starting on August 26th. Separately, another employee posted a photo on Reddit showing a similar document. For its part, Google has only said that Android Pay will arrive at the same time as Android 6 "Marshmallow," but has yet to reveal the date.
Verizon is still 'evaluating' support for Samsung Pay
We hope you weren't planning to use your Verizon-badged Galaxy S6 or Note 5 with Samsung Pay on September 28th... you might be disappointed. Big Red notes that it's still in the "process of evaluating" Samsung Pay while AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular have already pledged support. This doesn't rule out Verizon offering Samsung Pay on launch, but we wouldn't count on it given how carrier approval processes are seldom swift -- just ask anyone who waited months for a Verizon-ready Nexus 6.
Apple will help shape the future of NFC
Apple has come a long, long way in its attitude toward NFC. The company seemingly went out of its way to avoid the short-range wireless tech for years after others embraced it, but it quickly became one of the biggest users last year thanks to Apple Pay. And now, it's ready to guide the standard's future -- the company has joined the top ranks of the NFC Forum, giving it the same level of influence as the likes of Google, Intel and Samsung, among others. Clearly, Apple isn't having regrets about welcoming NFC with open arms.
Retailers' Apple Pay rival is ready for testing, three years later
Merchant Customer Exchange is an alliance of several of the US' biggest retailers and restaurants, including Wal-Mart and Target, aimed at bringing mobile payments under their own control — and not by tying themselves to a particular tech company. Public tests will finally start in Ohio in the coming weeks, according to the WSJ's sources. Crucially, or hilariously, the tests will start not long after MCX loses its exclusivity deal with retailers. That's why some of them didn't pick up Apple Pay when it launched.
Vodafone turns to QR codes for 'simpler' pay-as-you-go top-ups
QR codes look like they're really starting to catch on, and Vodafone's not one to turn down a reserved seat on the bandwagon. As part of a new trial, the UK carrier has teamed up with mobile payments renegade PowaTag so pay-as-you-go customers can top up their balances with just a quick scan of a QR code. All you need is the PowaTag app for Android and iOS, a linked payment method, and the desire to go hunt down a compatible QR code. It shouldn't be too advanced a game of hide-and-seek, though, since you'll find the codes on posters and such at Vodafone, Argos, Tesco, Co-op and BrightHouse stores, with Asda, Sainsbury's and Wilko joining the party next month. Once located, you scan the code, select a top-up amount and Bob's your uncle. As Vodafone puts it: "topping up really just got that easy." Easier than topping up online, through the Vodafone app, over the phone or at cash points? Hmmmm, OK...
HSBC and First Direct now support Apple Pay in the UK
Apple Pay's UK launch was spoiled earlier this month by lacklustre support from some of the nation's most popular banks. HSBC and First Direct were among the notable omissions, but today they're stepping up and giving customers the option to link their debit and credit cards. That means you can start using your iPhone or Apple Watch for contactless payments in Starbucks, Nando's and the London Underground, as well as inside apps like Domino's and Just Eat. Lloyds, meanwhile, has promised to support Apple Pay this autumn, but we're still waiting on dates from Barclays, Halifax, M&S, TSB and Bank of Scotland.
Samsung begins testing Samsung Pay in Korea
Samsung's Apple Pay competitor is almost ready for primetime -- but first, it's going through a bit of testing. The company announced that it's begun a Samsung Pay trial for select owners of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Plus in Korea. To refresh, Samsung Pay is the company's spin on mobile payments, and while it packs in NFC, it also takes advantage of Samsung's acquisition of LoopPay for "magnetic secure transmission." That allows you to hold your Samsung phone next to any magnetic card stripe reader to make a payment. Apple Pay and other mobile payments offerings rely on NFC, which isn't as widely supported at most retailers. There's no word when Samsung Pay will officially launch (Samsung says "it won't be long"), but rumors point it landing alongside the Galaxy Note 5 in August.
Apple Pay reportedly reaches the UK on July 14th
Irked that Apple Pay is only officially slated to reach the UK sometime in July? Don't worry -- you might not have to wait all month to see it. Multiple retailer leaks at 9to5Mac point to Apple launching its iPhone tap-to-pay service in Old Blighty on July 14th, or soon enough that you can likely use it if you're off to one of the country's many summer music festivals. Just don't expect to splurge on more than a quick bite to eat while you're out. That £20 (soon to be £30) contactless payment cap seriously limits how much you can spend, so the British implementation won't be quite as convenient as it is for Americans.
Android Pay's arrival means a new direction for Google Wallet
As we suspected, you'll be hearing more about the new Android Pay setup -- announced a couple of months ago during Mobile World Congress -- during the Google I/O event this week. According to a New York Times report, Android Pay will let retailers take payments from inside their mobile apps, use it at brick-and-mortar retail locations, and automatically update the customer's status in store loyalty programs. Like Google, retailers are interested in using those loyalty programs to track trends among their customers, and the report goes on to claim that Apple Pay will add a similar tie-in within the next month or so. So what will become of Google Wallet? Apparently, it will be reintroduced with a focus on sending money directly between two people to go along with being preinstalled on carrier phones. The mobile payment wars are just beginning, and potential competitors like Facebook and Samsung have their own plans too -- expect more details from all sides soon. [Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Samsung's Wallet service folds shut on June 30th
Now that Samsung Pay is nearly here, the company is riding its two-year-old Wallet service into the sunset. Samsung is now telling users that Wallet will stop taking purchases on June 30th. Any reservations and tickets you score before then will still be valid, but you'll otherwise be left out of the loop. The move isn't all that surprising given how much more advanced Samsung Pay should be, but it's a blunt reminder of just how quickly the mobile payment world is evolving -- technology that was promising in 2013 is already old hat.
Square's 'cashtags' get more specific for sending quick payments
Square's let you securely wire money via its (cringe-inducingly named) $Cashtags for a bit now, but the feature's gotten a little more streamlined as of late. Now, you can specify a dollar amount for payments by appending the 'tags with a number. For example: cash.me/$RED/5 is a $5 donation toward AIDS research, as the payment company cleverly pointed out in its announcement tweet. Whether or not your pursuits are as noble are entirely up to you.
