Barclaycard “Quick Tap” app: Brits get digital wallet

Barclaycard “Quick Tap” app

Today the Daily Mail reported that shoppers will soon be able to pay for purchases with a “Quick Tap” of their mobile phone thanks to Barclaycard. The not so humble credit card has been around for 40 years with little to no change in the way we use it but Near Field Communications technology is about to shake things up and will forever alter the way we pay for goods and services. Barclaycard, not to be outdone, is today following on the heels of Visa and its PayWave system by launching its own payment revolution in partnership with Orange.

Known as “Quick Tap”, the system effectively turns mobile phones into the holy grail of a digital wallet. For now “Quick Pay” allows people to make low-value purchases up to £15 but could eventually eliminate the need to carry coin. Initially, only Orange network phones, such as the Samsung Tocco, can be used. An app downloaded on to the phone allows you to see how much money you have to spend. It also provides a handy record of your purchases. If you are sporting a Barclaycard, Barclay’s debit card or Orange credit card you can download the app on to your Tocco and get started. You can transfer up to £100 to the phone account.

This magic happens when your NFC enabled phone sends out a very small signal carrying all of your credit card information to a receiver on the till / register after you boot up the app. This is only received when you place your phone very close to the NFC terminal at the till. They communicate with each other through a system known as NFC (Near Field Communication). This is a short-range high frequency wireless signal, (think Bluetooth, but weaker and with less distance and a faster connection speed) which enables the exchange of data between devices over a four to a theoretical 10 centimeter distance. The price to be paid is displayed on the terminal before you pay with a tap of the handset. If you are worried about security you can opt to tap in a four digit PIN. If the phone is lost or stolen, as you would expect the owner can contact Orange to close down the app and protect their money.

Barclaycard spokesman David Chan said: “Having a wallet on my phone has made it much more convenient to make purchases on the move.” Orange is declaring “This is going to start a revolution” and they are probably right in the mid to long term. But polls suggests 75% of people state they are confused by the technology according to industry experts Ingenico so a little back to school program at the till is probably in order. But who is going to accept Barclaycard’s “Quick Pay”? McDonalds, EAT, Pret-a-Manger, some Boots stores, Subway, Little Chef, Wembley, EAT and Wilkinson have already thrown their weight behind the scheme and more will surely follow.

You will need an NFC equipped smart phone to take advantage of Barclaycard’s Quick Tap.

Samsung has developed just such a phone to keep Brits happy. The Tocco Quick Tap handset will set you back £59.99 on pay-as-you-go but you can get it for free if you are willing to sign-up for a pay-monthly contract from £10 per month on the standard obligatory 2-year agreement. As smart phones go it’s has pretty modest specs including a 2.8 inch screen but does come with a 5 megapixel shooter. Better phones will follow this year with quite a few slated for release. I wonder will it allow you to pay-as-you-go as you pay-as-you-go? Ah, the price of convenience, convergence and progression!

Source: DAILY MAIL REPORTER