“Japanese carrier NTT Docomo is using NXP’s new NFC, ultra wideband (UWB) and secure element chipset in a concept POS device that lets consumers make secure payments “while keeping your smartphone in your pocket or bag”.”

“Tired of cleaning up after take-out or getting hangry waiting at your table in restaurants? Well Uber Eats is barging into the dine-in business. A new option in some cities lets you order your food ahead of time, go to the restaurant, then sit down inside to eat, a tipster from competing dine-in app Allset tells us. We tested it, and Uber Eats Dine-In even waives the standard Uber delivery and service fees.”

“Since launching our Scan & Go two years ago, we’ve seen its popularity continue to increase. With the upcoming test, we’ll enhance the experience with the launch of a technology using computer vision and machine learning. Rather than having to locate the barcode and scan it just right, the camera in the app will identify the product with a simple hover and add it to the member’s shopping list. It’s as simple as that.”

“Discounts and other loyalty deals help explain the greater popularity of proprietary programs for restaurants, along with a desire among users to customize and streamline orders, NPD says.  Despite this lopsided result, third-party apps account for 40%, or “more than their fair share,” of the top 20 apps ranked by usage, whether third party or restaurant-branded, indicates the report, entitled “Delivering Digital Convenience.” The reasons consumers give for using third-party systems include functions like looking up items, paying for meals, and checking prices, NPD says. As might be expected, here, too, deals help boost usage.”

“Brown, Cony and the gang are coming to a credit card near you in Japan. Line, the messaging app company behind the cute sticker characters, announced today that it is bringing its payment service to plastic through a tie-in with Visa. Line is Japan’s largest chat app with an estimated 50 million registered users. The cards will be released later this year and they’ll allow Line Pay, the company’s digital wallet service, to stretch beyond its existing merchant base to allow users to pay at any retailer accepting Visa .”

“Research group Forrester attributes just 2.5% of total US retail sales to smartphone transactions. ⁴ It found that while 21% of US adults with a mobile phone purchased physical goods weekly via mobile in 2016, just 16% did so in 2017. ⁵  Indeed, when using their mobile phones to shop, consumers frequently abandon their carts without making a purchase. And recent research shows that most Americans would rather make ecommerce purchases from a desktop computer. ^6“

“More than $2 billion of Black Friday sales were done on smartphones this year — blowing past a $1.4 billion record set by last year’s Cyber Monday shoppers, according to an Adobe Analytics report. Purchases made on mobile devices now account for just over one-third of Black Friday’s $6.2 billion in online sales — versus 29.1 percent in 2017.”

“Retailers clearly understand shoppers’ interest in more targeted promotions: 77% of executives believe that customers expect them to anticipate their needs by analyzing loyalty, purchase history and brand interaction data. Cutting-edge retailers are leveraging AI to create systems that continuously learn from every visit, ensuring that the shopper is given the most relevant experience possible from the moment they load a page or step inside a store.”

“But that expectation is not limited to just one demographic as consumers of all ages expect simplicity and speed from mobile apps and devices. That said, what can financial institutions do to keep pace? USAA often is at the forefront of digital experiences because its unique place in the industry forces it to do so. The bank’s customers consist of military members, and their families, spread across the globe.”

“ControlScan, a leader in managed security and compliance solutions that help secure networks and protect payment card data, is partnering with P97 Networks, the leader in cloud-based mobile commerce, in-vehicle payments and digital marketing solutions, to provide enhanced security controls for mobile payment services in the convenience, fuel retailer, quick-serve restaurant and related industries.”

“Today, we have begun rolling out the ability for consumers to use PayPal within Samsung Pay and make purchases at the millions of retailers that accept Samsung Pay. Samsung Pay users can load their PayPal account with the debit card or bank account found in their PayPal Wallet for use in-store – all while continuing to earn Samsung Rewards points. It’s convenient for consumers, because Samsung Pay works with both NFC and MST—that is, it works almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card.”

“Responding to a new generation of automotive buyers who expect to transact quickly with easy-to-use digital tools, FordDirect is unveiling Maestro, a new mobile sales app for Ford and Lincoln dealers that provides a seamless “greet to deliver” sales experience, whether the customer starts the shopping process online or in the dealership.”