Apple's Mobile Payments Initiative May Include Rewards Program

[xero9]

Funny how not even a week ago this site was filled with people saying NFC was garbage, that Androids have had it for years and it isn't taking off. Now suddenly people have nothing but great things to say about the technology.

 

[SMIDG3T]

I think this countdown timer may ease the pain:

http://www.apple.com/live/

That won't ease the pain, watching that tick down!

 

[tgarrison]

Funny how not even a week ago this site was filled with people saying NFC was garbage, that Androids have had it for years and it isn't taking off. Now suddenly people have nothing but great things to say about the technology.

The RDF is especially strong this week.

 

[Nicky G]

Funny how not even a week ago this site was filled with people saying NFC was garbage, that Androids have had it for years and it isn't taking off. Now suddenly people have nothing but great things to say about the technology.

So you're saying a high percentage of posts on an open forum on the internet are idiotic? INSANE!

Many of us have been watching NFC and related contactless technologies for years, were glad to see Google and Samsung do something with it, and have been waiting for Apple to get onboard for years.

 

[taptic]

That won't ease the pain, watching that tick down!

 

[Tech198]

....ya like Pay with your mobile to top up your Frequent Flyer Points

 

[lordofthereef]

Not really much to wait for... trust me

To each his own. I use it often at the gym and rather enjoy it.

 

[tito2020]

NFC will get better

 

[Arndroid]

I think we're seeing two different things conflated in this article.

From APPLE'S point of view, presumably they have some sort of goal where they want people to use their payments system. (The end point is probably something like a Bank of Apple, where I'm essentially using the equivalent of an Apple credit card; but the system launched this year will probably be more like the existing iTunes system which is based on my current credit card).

OK, so Apple have a problem. It may be cool to use my iPhone, iWatch and fingerprint together to buy something BUT when I use my existing credit card I get 1% cash back. If Apple can't match that, they're not of any interest except occasionally to amaze my stupider friends.
Which means that one part of a Rewards system is that they need to give me something that I consider at least as valuable as 1% cash back (or airline miles or Amazon point, or whatever your credit card gives you). The obvious way to do this would be Apple points that I can spend in either the Apple store or the iTunes store.

Meanwhile there is the other side of the equation, the merchant side. Apple want to give merchants some incentive to go to the hassle of supporting the system. IF they can (more or less) guarantee less fraud and overhead, that may be compelling enough for some use cases (like internet shopping) that the product sells itself. For other purposes, you want an additional gimmick and that seems to be what this post is about. Apple can for example, say that if you partner with us, then using our payment system at your hotel users will earn double Apple points, which (presumably) steers users to the hotel chain --- but the hotel chain can only cash in if they're set up to handle Apple payments.
Again you're probably aware of this sort of gimmick if you read the fine print of your card closely. Especially if your card is one that pays you in airline miles, it probably has these sorts of double points agreements with hotel chains, restaurants, auto rentals, and other travel type businesses.

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They've scrapped plans for iTunes Radio even in the US.
Expect a Beats radio at some point, I imagine.

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(a) You mean mainframes? No, I don't remember that.

(b) A computer is what *I* say a computer is.

(c) Apple changed its official name on January 9, 2007 from Apple Computer Inc to Apple Inc. Why do you think they did that?

You are missing a lot. You will still use whatever card you have assigned to iTunes payments. However because apple has managed to negotiate better rates on the backend, they will be able to provide an additional rewards program on top of your card.

So if your card gives you 1% on everything (virtually non existent these days) and apple gives you 1% loyalty points, you will end up with 2% by combining the two. Apple has no intention of being a bank (Walmart tried to become a bank but it was too difficult). They are partnering with credit card creators, credit card banks and credit card processors. Each of those groups take a percentage of every transaction. Your issuing bank is only involved in one of the three.

 

[Trapezoid]

Funny how not even a week ago this site was filled with people saying NFC was garbage, that Androids have had it for years and it isn't taking off. Now suddenly people have nothing but great things to say about the technology.

What's funnier is you drawing conclusions from the opinions of different people to bundle them as one.

 

[Arndroid]

Funny how not even a week ago this site was filled with people saying NFC was garbage, that Androids have had it for years and it isn't taking off. Now suddenly people have nothing but great things to say about the technology.

Well since NFC has died on the vine with android support but will finally take off under apple's extensive overhaul and advancement it is not surprising.

Apple introducing a much improved environment to make NFC succeed does not magically make the previous existence suck tactic. In fact all those android phones are not likely to even be able to join the party because of their inferior security implementation.

But in six to nine months when NFC usage increases by 10000% in the US compared to the previous several years with android I am sure you will come back and admit you were wrong.

Apple actually seems to have a very involved plan that goes way beyond just putting an NFC cheap in their phone. Which is literally all the android handset makers did.

When all these android handset makers find themselves incompatible with the new world solution because they are insecure and cost retailers significantly more money to accept, you will come back and apologize right?

If all this was was apple lazily adding an NFC chip to the iPhone 6 and calling it a day your point would be valid. Clearly that is not what is happening.

It will be amusing to see the android users whining their NFC phones are not being accepted at NFC terminals because they are insecure.

 

[Sonmi451]

Good idea by Apple. Rewards program will get more people on board.

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Funny how not even a week ago this site was filled with people saying NFC was garbage, that Androids have had it for years and it isn't taking off. Now suddenly people have nothing but great things to say about the technology.

Some people said that, many people did not. This gets brought up every thread and is mostly not true.

 

[Tanegashima]

I have a suggestion for a reward: when you're a machead like me, with a Mac, plus an iPad, and then an iPhone, give me something more than 5GB, thanks? Apple?

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

To each his own. I use it often at the gym and rather enjoy it.

Yeah, I mean it's fine. I've used it occasionally. But it's no better than the many other services that do the same thing.

 

[Pman17]

NFC is cool, till you run out of battery and can't pay for a cab. lol
I would love to get all of my rewards cards and gift cards on my phone though.

This feature would be great for using at the bar. Bar tender scans your phone, holds your account and you can close out whenever you'd like without having the bar tender get your tab. Or if you're too drunk, iBeacon will detect that you left the building and automatically sign your eCheck. The bar tender can focus on making more drinks. You can default your tip in settings too.

Now all we need is iDriversLicense, iPassport, iSocialSecurity, and iInsurance Card.lol

 

[kdarling]

Well since NFC has died on the vine with android support but will finally take off under apple's extensive overhaul and advancement it is not surprising.

NFC didn't "die on the vine". It just got a slow start until merchants all have their new readers in place... AND until Google found a way around the blockade that the Isis backers put up to try to control phones.

Both are no longer a big issue, so it's a good time for Apple to finally come in.

Apple introducing a much improved environment to make NFC succeed does not magically make the previous existence suck tactic.

Apple introducing their own proprietary additions in the USA does not magically make the world standard go away.

In fact all those android phones are not likely to even be able to join the party because of their inferior security implementation.

Join what party? Android phones are already making NFC payments using tokens.

But in six to nine months when NFC usage increases by 10000% in the US compared to the previous several years with android I am sure you will come back and admit you were wrong.

An increase would've come anyway once the banks and merchants began publicizing their new abilities.

However, absolutely, a bigger increase will come quicker because of more users and more public awareness, both due to Apple finally coming in and making a big fuss. That's what Apple does.

Google quietly set up an API so that anyone can add NFC abilities to their apps.

Apple did their own app, and will publicize the heck out of it.

They each have a different approach.

It will be amusing to see the android users whining their NFC phones are not being accepted at NFC terminals because they are insecure.

A strange comment, as they're already accepted.

 

[w0by]

Nfc

Oh wow, Apple finally has NFC payments...something Android phones have had for years.

 

[lordofthereef]

Yeah, I mean it's fine. I've used it occasionally. But it's no better than the many other services that do the same thing.

I agree. The only way it is better is if you already pay for match. You basically get the paid version of Pandora for free that way.