Microsoft filed for the appropriate paperwork that would allow it to begin handling cashless transactions, a move that indicates that it is preparing to reveal its own e-payment service. This is not entirely a surprise, considering that Windows 10 will support both NFC and Host Card Emulation (HCE) payments.
Redmond has filed for a money transmitter license in all 50 American states, which would be the first move in getting its own service out the door. Despite this, the filings do not reveal any further details about the potential service. It should be noted that not all states have approved the license yet, and thus far only Idaho has given Microsoft permission.
This move into e-payment comes as both Apple and Google have been working to expand their own similar services. Apple Pay has been making huge strides in adoption rates since being announced with the iPhone 6, and could be credited with bringing NFC payments to the average consumer. Google Wallet has been around much longer that Apple’s solution, although it has had a much quieter time.
Both e-payment services have been working to revolutionise how people pay for things, and have had some success in dealing with getting stores to adopt the technology. Samsung has also announced its own Samsung Pay, and is preparing to join the fray. The South Korean company may face the issue having to deal with Google Wallet, which is also already available the Android platform.
We wouldn’t hold our breath on the service reaching Malaysia any time soon. Most of these services are only available in selected parts of North America and Europe, and are taking their time in trickling out to the rest of the world. Considering the challenges in dealing with financial institutions in various countries, any Microsoft powered e-payment systems will be a very long time coming.
[Source: Faisal Khan via WindowsCentral]
