CreditCall is developing a payment app called CardEase Mobile that allows fully secured Chip & PIN (EMV) or magnetic-stripe transactions to take place on BlackBerry and other smartphones becoming available in autumn 2010 from the usual online resources.
The card is read and the user’s PIN entered on a separate Bluetooth-linked PIN Pad that can be paired to the smartphone. The data is encrypted while in transit and on a smartphone, then sent over a wireless network to authorize the transaction. A transaction receipt can then be sent to the customer by email, SMS or in paper format from an optional printer.
Truly mobile payment solutions are typically used by field service technicians and mobile traders, as well as queue-busting in busy retail environments. Although CardEase Mobile can be used as a standalone application, such as selling clothing and merchandise at a festival, it is aimed at third-party developers who can integrate with other smartphone apps such as retail order-taking or field service. An easy-to-use API will be available as well.
Marketing Director at CreditCall, Peter Alcock, said: “We have experienced huge interest in CardEase Mobile from across the globe; particularly in areas of the world where Chip & PIN credit cards are already in use. We have shown the solution to a number of potential partners, which has created a real buzz about its capabilities.”