Details of ISIS Mobile Wallet emerge

ISIS is a Mobile Wallet application that was created by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The product will initially launch on October 22nd in the selected markets: Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX. ISIS aims to be similar to Google Wallet as you’ll be able to turn your smartphone into a virtual wallet and use it in combination with your NFC-enabled device to pay for your purchases. Here’s some more details about ISIS:

• Virtual Cards:  As expected, Isis will hold virtual versions of credit cards, an Isis Cash Card (prepaid card), store loyalty cards, and a section for special offers and promotions.
• Bonus Cash:  When you first activate Isis, there will be a $10 bonus card for you to use. If you want even more cash, you can upgrade the Isis Cash Card to “reloadable” status which will land you an additional $15.
• Security:  If your phone is lost or stolen, you can call Verizon and they will freeze Isis from working.
• Merchants:  Isis will work at merchant locations that use Visa PayWave, MasterCard Paypass, Discover Zip, American Express and Google Wallet.
• NFC-SIM Cards:  From what we have been told, Verizon will use new NFC-SIM cards on their Isis approved devices. We aren’t sure why they aren’t satisfied with simply using the on-board NFC chip, but this likely creates an additional level of security. It’s also a level of security that they can have intense control over, I would assume.
• Devices:  The official “Isis ready” device is the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. As you will recall from this morning, the device is set to receive an update to make it Isis ready. Additional devices will be made available at a later time, but you should note that not all NFC phones can support Isis. If you live in a trial market and purchase an Incredible 4G LTE on or after October 22 (launch day), it will be activated with a new NFC-SIM card. If you already own an Incredible 4G LTE and live in a test market, you will be able to obtain an NFC-SIM to replace your current SIM.
• Incredible 4G Purchase + $50 in Cash:  From October 22 to November 20, you can buy an Incredible 4G LTE and receive a $50 Visa Pre-Paid card. From what we understand, you will have to activate Isis and submit a rebate form in order to get the card.

What do you guys think about ISIS? Do you think it can compete with Google Wallet or do you guys see now use of this because of the availability of Google Wallet?

source: Droid Life

Google Wallet Usage Doubled Ever Since They Adopted the use of all Major Debit and Credit Cards

Google released a press release today claiming that Google Wallet usage has doubled ever since the app added support for all credit and debit cards. Google Wallet is a service provided by Google that allows owners of android phones with NFC capabilities to keep all their card information secured on their phone to use at any retailer that uses NFC technology and supports the service.

Another reason the use of the app has improved so much is the move to Google’s secure cloud. This allows for individual banks to make a much easier set up process for their customers. In addition the cloud let’s users turn off the connection to Google Wallet at anytime from their computer in the event of theft.

Source: Google Commerce Blog

Buzz Terms:

• google wallet apk 9/13/2012

Google Wallet Usage Doubled Ever Since They Adopted the use of all Major Debit and Credit Cards

Google released a press release today claiming that Google Wallet usage has doubled ever since the app added support for all credit and debit cards. Google Wallet is a service provided by Google that allows owners of android phones with NFC capabilities to keep all their card information secured on their phone to use at any retailer that uses NFC technology and supports the service.

Another reason the use of the app has improved so much is the move to Google’s secure cloud. This allows for individual banks to make a much easier set up process for their customers. In addition the cloud let’s users turn off the connection to Google Wallet at anytime from their computer in the event of theft.

Source: Google Commerce Blog

Google Wallet Prepaid Card Program to end October 17th

Google has revealed that it plans too discontinue the Prepaid Card Program for early adopters of its Wallet mobile payment service. Because the company recently updated its mobile payment service to offer compatibility with all major debit and credit cards, it feels the prepaid service is redundant.

Thank you for being one of the first users of the Google Wallet app and for activating your Google Prepaid Card. Since we recently launched the ability to use any debit or credit card in Google Wallet, we are going to discontinue the Google Prepaid Card soon.

While Google may be terminating the program September 17th, the company is giving users an entire month (until October 17th) to use the remaining funds. After that point, abstainers will be charged $2.00 for every 30 days of inactivity, down from the usual 180 days. To avoid this fee, Google recommends using your card at least once before October 17th. So, be sure to take care of your remaining balance before the deadline rolls around, and link your account to a new card. Hit the source link below for the full low-down.

Source: Google

T-Mobile Galaxy S II update makes it first Isis ready phone

T-Mobile began rolling out an OTA update today for Samsung Galaxy S II devices. The changelog for the UVLH1 update is only two lines long, but the first line indicates “ISIS/NFC update.” We have not yet received confirmation as to whether the update includes an Isis app, but it appears T-Mobile is at least installing the framework. Of note is the fact that T-Mobile is rolling this out to existing devices instead of just including it on new devices.

Isis is a mobile payment system similar to Google Wallet. Using NFC, users can make payments at retailers by simply tapping their phones on a point of sale terminal. At the retailer end, Verifone Systems is working on terminals to be deployed in Salt Lake City and Austin for the initial markets. This is supposed to occur during September. Isis differentiates itself from Google Wallet or other providers in that it is being rolled out by carriers – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to be specific. The rollout has been delayed due to a change in strategy to have credit-card companies handle the processing instead of the carriers. Security concerns have also weighed heavily on the project as the partners work to assure payments can be made securely and critical financial information can be protected.

source: Bloomberg, Android Police

Buzz Terms:

• galaxy s2 tmobile uvlh1

Google Wallet to allow third party access, add loyalty cards and IDs

At a developer conference earlier today, Google Wallet development manager Robin Dua announced that the mobile payment service will begin opening up the platform to allow businesses to integrate their services. Dua made it clear that the inevitable goal is for users to be able to go about their day without the need to lug around a wallet.

“One of the types of things we’re trying to do is make it easy for airlines, transit providers, and other types of issuers of credentials to make it super simple for them to get their credentials stored in the wallet…That’s the goal. We want you to be able to leave your leather wallet at home and carry your phone and transact with that as your primary transaction device.”

Additionally, Google wants to add geo-targeting to its Wallet service, potentially allowing for automatic loading of relevant tickets or passes as you arrive at a certain location. A release date for the new features wasn’t given, but with other mobile payment systems creeping up, we’d imagine Google would want to implement these ideas soon. For the full run-down, you can catch the full video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: TheVerge

Google hosting Google Wallet Q&A today at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST, Watch it live or recorded

Google will host a Google Wallet Q&A at 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST with Google Wallet Product Manager Robin Dua. Just hit the source link below to watch it live or as a recorded event later on. Anyone can submit questions, so if you have one, be sure to hit the link below as well. I think the top question has to be when will Google Wallet be available outside the U.S.?

watch event / ask a question

Google hosting Google Wallet Q&A today at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST, Watch it live or recorded

Google will host a Google Wallet Q&A at 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST with Google Wallet Product Manager Robin Dua. Just hit the source link below to watch it live or as a recorded event later on. Anyone can submit questions, so if you have one, be sure to hit the link below as well. I think the top question has to be when will Google Wallet be available outside the U.S.?

watch event / ask a question

Google hosting Google Wallet Q&A today at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST, Watch it live or recorded

Google will host a Google Wallet Q&A at 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST with Google Wallet Product Manager Robin Dua. Just hit the source link below to watch it live or as a recorded event later on. Anyone can submit questions, so if you have one, be sure to hit the link below as well. I think the top question has to be when will Google Wallet be available outside the U.S.?

watch event / ask a question

Three New Google Wallet Videos Released

With Google continuing to improve and push Google Wallet, more people are probably thinking about trying it out. But when it comes to your money, I’m sure you have a lot of questions before you trust this new-fangled black magic. Don’t worry… Google has you covered. They just released not one, not two, but THREE new Google Wallet videos to help you understand just how it all works.

So if you’re thinking about experimenting with something new but want some more info, hit the break to get your Wallet education.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

source: android police