PC and Ultrabook NFC payments are coming thanks to Intel and Mastercard

PC and Ultrabook NFC payments are coming thanks to Intel and Mastercard

Intel and MasterCard are teaming to bring contactless and NFC payments to its line of Ultrabooks and future generations of Intel based PCs. Back at the beginning of last month we glimpsed a Medfield NFC tablet from Intel, which gave us some clues that the monolithic processor manufacturer has Near Field Communication on its mind. Today, Intel and MasterCard have announced that they are partnering to bring PayPass secure payments initially to its Ultrabooks, which is a huge step forward for NFC. We already know that Windows 8 is coming loaded with support for NFC and now Intel appears to be bringing some hardware and security support to make payments using your NFC phone or contactless card a reality.

We have known for sometime that paying for goods and services would happen through secure readers based in PCs. However, until now it has been a potential myth that we have been waiting to see. It makes complete sense that for NFC payments to become ubiquitous that our online purchases through our computers would need to support NFC payments if we carry our wallets on our phones. We have already seen NFC payments enabled gas pumps, vending machines, POS systems and NFC tag based stickers that can all handle payments, but many people research and buy products and services online using their home and work PCs. The Intel and MasterCard partnership opens huge potentials for e-commerce websites to enable frictionless payments, which will probably result in higher conversion rates as making your way through an online checkout becomes effortless.

How it works

When you are ready to complete an NFC payment on a e-commerce website you simply wave your NFC phone or PayPass enabled card or device over the NFC reader on your Ultrabook, or later your PC. This action then generates a six-digit code from the “Manageability Engine” which encrypts your details and then makes the transaction with the e-commerce site. Because to make a transaction you need an NFC phone and an enabled Ultrabook or PC, this creates another level of security that simply doesn’t exist today making the whole process more secure and a lot simpler than typing in a 16 digit credit card number and shipping details, or trusting a website to keep your details secure.

Intel and MasterCard bringing NFC payments to PCs is only as strong as the security provided

The fact that security is the make or break issue for NFC payments using readers embedded in PCs and laptops hasn’t been lost on Intel or MasterCard. Intel said in its release, “Intel Identity Protection Technology can enable consumers to use strong two-factor authentication and hardware-based display protection. This provides increased online security against malware. Additionally, when used with an Intel Identity Protection Technology-enabled reader, consumers will be able to pay for online purchases with a simple tap of their PayPass-enabled card, tag, or smart phone on an Ultrabook device.” This level of security is stronger than is available for online shoppers today and negates the need for browsers to remember sensitive data and also could mean that online stores no longer need to remember and store card details. That alone could protect consumers far more than any system available today.

“MasterCard is constantly working to improve the shopping experience for consumers and merchants,” said Ed McLaughlin, Chief Emerging Payments Officer at MasterCard. “The collaboration with Intel will deliver enhanced security and faster checkout – with the convenience of a simple click or tap.”

“Our goal is to enable users of Ultrabook devices and future generations of Intel-based PCs to enjoy the convenience of e-commerce while making online payments safer from malware and hackers with the advanced security capabilities of Intel Identity Protection Technology,” said George Thangadurai, General Manager of PC Client Services Division at Intel Corporation. “Online commerce is a key focus area for Intel, and through this partnership with MasterCard, we intend to deliver an innovative, personalized and safer e-commerce experience to consumers.”

Forrester reports that online sales reached $176.2 billion last year in the United States alone and that is expected to grow at double-digit percentage rates annually for the next 5 years. The Intel and MasterCard project is a multi-year undertaking, so don’t expect to buy a PC with a secure NFC reader this holiday season. However, we now know that secure PC and potentially Mac based NFC payments are coming for safer and easier online purchasing experiences thanks to MasterCard and Intel.