Pair launch world's first off-the-shelf Chip & Pin card reader
Apple is distributing the first off-the-shelf Chip & Pin card reader in its stores, in partnership with payleven, a European mobile payment provider. The pair have announced they are making payleven's Chip & Pin card reader available for anyone to buy off the shelf in Apple retail stores and on the Apple online store across Europe.
This marks the first time ever that it has been possible to buy a card machine on the high street, lowering the barriers to entry for budding entrepreneurs wanting to start their own retail business.
The small gadget links up with an iPhone, iPad or Android device via Bluetooth to make it quick and easy for anyone to start taking card payments from major card providers such as Visa and MasterCard. It can be used anywhere with mobile or Wi-Fi signal, making it useful for plumbers, gardeners and electricians visiting homes, or markets and pop-up shops regularly on the move.
payleven's technology, high security standards, market potential and availability in several European core markets were key factors for Apple to distribute the payleven solution. The decision to include the payleven card reader in its retail stores is evidence of the growing importance of mobile payments, which is also highlighted by established players within the finance world.
'Apple's decision to sell Payleven Chip & Pin card readers in their stores is a great step forward for mobile card acceptance and we're delighted to see solutions emerge that can bring Chip & Pin out of the shop and into the hands of small businesses wherever they provide their goods and services to the public,' saidNeil Horseman, vice president for acceptance at Visa Europe. 'Payleven's solution helps to increase card acceptance while preserving the important Chip & Pin functionality and all the security benefits that it provides.'
Said Alston Zecha, co-founder and COO of payleven: 'Retailers need to be able to process card-payments securely, but they don't want to spend thousands and sign up to lengthy contracts with the banks. Today is the first time business will be able to walk into their local shop and buy a card reader off the shelf.
'Mobile payments are currently changing the face of the finance industry and payleven is spearheading this movement. We are hugely excited about Apple's decision to offer our product. Distribution is key to our success and to be included in all Apple's retail outlets show the mass appeal and potential our product has,' Zecha added.
