The information you need to start your day, from PaymentsSource and around the web:
Pen number
The pens are being sold through Starbucks Japan's Touch product line, which doesn't focus on coffee as much as it does on NFC and web-connected devices, according to
The pens, which are called The Pen, will sell for about $40, and join other products in the Touch line, such as The Hug, an NFC-enabled purse.
Waking up
Another public official has weighed in on Facebook's pending Libra cryptocurrency, though with a take that's less angry than most
Benoit Coeure, an executive board member of the European Central Bank, called Libra a "wake up call" to central banks, which should collaborate on central bank-backed digital currencies,
Speaking in Luxembourg, Coerue spoke less directly about Libra, and more about the general threat of cross-border multinational "private currencies" to monetary sovereignty — arguing collaboration among central banks was needed to address that threat.
When in Rome
Contactless transit payments in Italy have expanded quickly beyond a recent deployment in
Payment technology company SIA has added contactless cards, smartphones and wearable devices to pay for tickets directly at turnstiles on Rome's metro and commuter rail stations. Milan also recently adopted contactless payments in its metro system. The technology additionally allows riders to calculate the best fare based on the rider's itinerary.
Italy's deployments join numerous cities globally that have updated their
On spec
Web-connected glasses maker North has released a showroom app that allows users to pick, order and pay for its line of Focals specs without an in-person appointment.
The company is using augmented reality and the technology behind Face ID to support the service, reports
From the web
TECHCRUNCH | Thu September 19, 2019
Google said today it is bringing its mobile payments app — Google Pay — to businesses in India as the Android-maker rushes to maintain its lead in one of its key overseas markets before its global rival Facebook sets off its payments play in the nation.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL | Wed September 18, 2019
Multifactor authentication provides an extra layer of security on top of a username and password. With multifactor—typically two-factor—authentication enabled, users are prompted to enter an additional piece of information before they gain access to an account. Companies should streamline how they use it to limit hits to productivity, cybersecurity experts say.
REUTERS | Thu September 19, 2019
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a controversial labor bill, AB 5, which spells out when companies must treat “gig economy” contract workers as employees. The new law has been opposed by companies that depend heavily on independent workers, including ride hailing and delivery services.
More from PaymentsSource
Retailers have raised the bar in how they attract customers through rewards and loyalty programs, but not all are well-versed in how their technology also lures fraudsters.
To eke out growth in the mature payments terminal market, Square is taking its newest NFC-enabled hardware to markets outside the U.S. with heavy contactless card penetration, where some merchants are likely to be behind the technology curve.
Arguing more work is needed in the wake of new security protocols, Nets will team with KPMG to jointly develop machine learning-powered fraud monitoring and prevention.
The big payment processor/bank technology mergers that were announced early this year are officially closing, setting the stage for complicated conversions and a fierce battle for customer share.
