For a while now tech companies, brands and service providers have been exploring ways to allow consumers to pay for things using their mobile phones. Google is set to launch something later in the year, but which companies have already been making big strides into the mobile payment arena?
A few weeks ago I wrote about Google’s ambitious plans to turn our mobile devices into forms of payment, with the introduction of Google Wallet that’s set to be launched in certain parts of the US this coming summer. It seems that several other service providers, mobile phone networks and tech companies are all doing the same, look at the proposed joint venture between Vodafone UK, Telefonica and Everything Everywhere that appeared in the Telegraph last week.
However, in recent months some of our favourite brands have already introduced forms of mobile payment functionality in both the US and the UK with the help of Paypal, and the initial buzz seems to suggest they’re already working well.
Starbucks
Back in January Starbucks launched a mobile payment system in the US called Starbucks Card Mobile. The service allows users to register their Starbucks card onto their phones, enabling them to keep an eye on their balance, track their rewards and of course pay for their drinks solely using their mobile device and a Paypal account.
The service and the dedicated app have been available to those with Apple devices for some time, but in the past week Starbucks Card Mobile was also rolled out to Android users as well.
For the time being it’s only a US based service, so if you’re on that side of the pond and want to know which of your local branches accept Starbucks Card Mobile, then have a look at the Starbucks Store Locator.
Pizza Express
Last week in the UK, Pizza Express launched a similar kind of system for iPhone users in the form of the Pizza Express app, which allows customers to not only pay their bill with their phones, but also store offer codes and even find a restaurant and book a table!
Here’s a little cheesy but very handy video guide about what the app can do:
Although many other operators, tech companies and brands are hot on the heels of Pizza Express and Starbucks when it comes to mobile payment services, both brands do particularly lend themselves to this kind of quick, simple and hassle-free payment solution and Paypal has done a good job at making it possible.
Whether mobile payment will be as welcomed by other brands and in other places remains to be seen, but judging from the initial popularity of there offerings in both the UK and the US, it could certainly prove to be a very interesting space, regardless of the product or service on offer.
Becca Caddy is a BitchBuzz Tech columnist and freelance writer. She is also the UK editor of US-based tech blog Popgadget.net. You can follow her @beccacaddy or read her blog beccacaddy.com.
Images via the Apple store and Pizza Express.