The information you need to start your day, from PaymentsSource and around the web:
Alexa, medicate me
Alexa is learning how to help consumers keep track of prescriptions, request refills and take medications on time.
Amazon has partnered with Omnicell, which specializes in autonomous pharmacy services, for a pharmacy reminder service initially available for Giant Eagle Pharmacy customers,
Privacy controls built into the process require both the Alexa voice profile and a personal passcode to access data, with details redacted from the mobile app. More pharmacies are set to come on board next year.
Big RED
Apple is going contactless with its longtime tradition of supporting the RED fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.
This year for the first time Apple will donate $1 to RED for every purchase made with Apple Pay on its website, app or at Apple Stores worldwide through Dec. 2, up to a total of $1 million, reports MacRumors.
Since 2006, Apple has raised more than $220 million through its partnership with RED, centering its donations in previous years on the sale of red-colored products and accessories.
Travel tools
Travelex has teamed with Transaction Network Services to power broader ATM acceptance at more than 1,000 ATMs in travel centers around the world.
ATMs operated by Travelex, now owned by Abu Dhabi-based Finabler, will also accept JCB, Discover, DCC and UnionPay cards at its ATMs for local and foreign currency, according to a press release.
Reston, Va.-based TNS will support Travelex’s ATM access through a managed hosting service, replacing Travelex’s in-house approach, for ATMs in 12 countries across Europe and Asia.
Reserved
Amex has rolled out a new dining-out tool in its mobile app to streamline restaurant reservation searches and bookings.
Powered by various technologies Amex acquired over the past few years including Resy, Pocket Concierge and Cake Technologies, the service delivers reservations for more than 10,000 restaurants globally,
The catch: The new capabilities, which build on Amex’s existing Global Dining Collection, are only available to Amex Platinum card customers, with the elite-level Centurion card customers to be added early next year.
From the web
COINDESK | Tue November 26, 2019
Payments startup Ripple has completed the acquisition of its $50 million stake in remittance platform MoneyGram, the companies announced.
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST | Wed November 27, 2019
Reports suggest people are growing concerned about being subjected to commercial facial recognition systems without consent, so Chinese tech companies are stepping up to standardize the industry.
KREBS ON SECURITY | Tue November 26, 2019
On Nov. 23, one of the cybercrime underground’s largest bazaars for buying and selling stolen payment card data announced the immediate availability of some 4 million freshly hacked debit and credit cards. KrebsOnSecurity has learned this latest batch of cards was siphoned from four different compromised restaurant chains that are most prevalent across the Midwest and Eastern United States.
More from PaymentsSource
Yale researchers have recommended several consumer banking products and services that could help those with mental health challenges manage their money.
A sector not known for its innovation or willingness to change is actually a shining example when it comes to creating hubs of engaging content, says On24's Mark Bornstein.
Interoperability has become a top priority in the minds of those advancing faster payments.
