Tag Archives: payment

Microsoft’s Tag barcode service to end in 2015

Microsoft’s Tag barcode service to end in 2015

Just three years after Microsoft Tag got out of beta, it has been announced that the service will be terminated in two years, on August 19, 2015. Microsoft Tag is a barcode like …

Microsoft leaning less on Tag codes was reported on B&WS almost one year ago. That hunch seems to be correct as a Microsoft announcement revealed it has licensed off its proprietary format to another 2d code payment service. Current users have 2 years to transition before shutoff. Demonstrates the potential pitfalls of relying on a closed standard owned by a business entity. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7gzcVSLZoU

The Secret Sauce In Square’s Starbucks Partnership: Discovery, QR Codes

Interesting that Square, who already have a sophisticated payments platform established, should feel the need to include QR codes. This way the customer supplies the hardware/app combo, the merchant only needs the scanner to read it.

I expect more merchants will join a Passbook type payments services.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

Apple Announces New Passbook App to handle your storecards, tickets and passes

As part of the WWDC ‘12 keynote, Apple revealed a Passbook app which handles virtual store cards, e-tickets and electronic boarding passes. Most of these are displayed visually via QR code or barcode for the point of sale systems to read. Neat solution, reminiscent of the Square Cardcase App.

Update: Engadget has a good gallery of Passbook for iOS

The Next Web goes hands-on with the launch of PayPals inStore mobile payment service in the UK market. The process uses plain old barcodes for improved compatibility.

PayPal has opted for a barcode solution, not NFC. This allows the company to roll out the app to other platforms and bank on existing point-of-sale technologies instead of relying on wireless payment terminals.

eBay to Launch Temporary QR Code enabled pop-up store for Christmas

eBay to Launch Temporary QR Code enabled pop-up store for Christmas

This is eBays first physical presence, allowing customers to inspect some of the products before scanning QR codes to complete ordering and payment in time for Christmas.

It seems QR code assisted/enabled shopping is becoming more popular since the Tesco Metro Rail poster shop a few months ago. Retailers seem to be waking up to the idea, with music store HMV trialling QR posters [2d-code.co.uk] recently.