Leaf to Update its Payments Tablet with Cameras, Other Tech

Leaf, which offers a tablet specifically for in-store card payments, has added new features designed to ease user experience and attract third-party developers.

The new version of the LeafPresenter tablet includes hardware enhancements, such as cameras capable of reading 1D and 2D barcodes, a second camera on the front of the tablet, an HD display and an improved battery. The display is also meant to be easier to view in sunlight, a feature designed for outdoor vendors such as food trucks.

LeafPresenter is aimed at small-to-medium sized businesses and accepts payments via a merchant's choice of processor. It also accepts PayPal, LevelUp and other digital wallets.

Leaf's new features are also designed to give third-party developers greater flexibility to build payments apps, the company says. Leaf announced the updates on May 14, and it expects the new tablets to be available by summer.

"Cameras on phones and tablets have been used in niche cases for payment and loyalty, but I'm sure we haven't even scratched the surface of how tablet hardware can improve the customer experience," said Aron Schwarzkopf, CEO of Leaf, in a release.

Leaf is operating in what's becoming an arms race for mobile card acceptance. Rival Square on May 14 also introduced new technology—its Square Stand is a new card reader that can house an iPad and be used in place of a traditional point of sale terminal.