Mobile Payments War Heats up as new Entrant mPowa Offers Europe-wide Solution
LONDON, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
mPowa now live for Android - iZettle unable to process Visa payments in several European countries
Mobile point of sale company mPowa announced today that its mobile payments service covers Android smartphones and tablets, as well as Apple iPhones and iPads. Customers with mPowa's card reader may simply go to the Android Google 'Play Store' and download the mPowa mobile payment app to their phones, for free, and then make and accept card payments - using any major credit or debit card - on the go anywhere.
This news comes as iZettle has announced that from 1st August it cannot process any payments using Visa in Denmark, Finland or Norway. iZettle's device apparently does not meet Visa Europe's standard acceptance requirements. Visa is a highly popular card across many European countries, so this is a major restriction.
Dan Wagner, CEO and founder of mPowa, said: "With mPowa we are allowing businesses everywhere, from the smallest to the largest, to take payments wherever business is transacted.
"mPowa is the first to offer such an innovative and exciting mobile payment solution for Android. The device accepts all major credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard and American Express."
"The recent extension to Android shows that mPowa is a truly universal way of making and accepting mobile payments, unlimited by geography, card issuer, operating system, device, currency or method of verification."
Sales of Android phones are increasing globally. Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reported in July that for the first time Android has taken at least half of smartphone sales in Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, US and Australia.[1]
mPowa's service includes a free mobile app and reader which turn any mobile phone into a mobile point of sale device. The reader connects to a smartphone or mobile device either by plugging into its headphone socket or via Bluetooth.
mPowa's reader can either swipe a card's magnetic strip or use Chip and PIN technology. Increasing numbers of credit card companies worldwide are introducing cards bearing a chip, so this is very important, both locally and internationally where in many markets it is a requirement for merchants.
For commentary or interviews contact Rani Gill [Rani@flamepr.com / +44-203-357-9746] or Vivienne [Vivienne@flamepr.com/+44-203-357-9747] at Flame PR on +44-7590534173. Alternatively email mpowa@flamepr.com
[1] http://www.kantarworldpanel.com/global/News/Android-maintains-Euro-dominance
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