First Data Makes a More Mobile Version of Its Tablet Point of Sale

First Data has released a portable version of its Clover tablet-based point of sale platform.

The device, known as Clover Mobile, allows merchants to perform a variety of business functions, including scanning inventory and taking payments, using a mobile tablet. Earlier versions of Clover, called Clover Station, were designed to be affixed to a countertop.

"Clover Mobile expands the powerful and versatile Clover family to bring the mobility, efficiency and integration that merchants require and consumers expect," said Guy Chiarello, First Data's president, in a Nov. 4 press release.

The mobile device supports chip-and-PIN EMV transactions. It also includes Near Field Communication capabilities, allowing merchants to accept contactless payments, including mobile wallets such as Apple Pay.

Clover Mobile is the latest in a string of recent additions to First Data's Clover payment system. The company added several small business tools in April. It also recently introduced consumer feedback capabilities, as well as the ability for merchants to sell digital gift cards.