VeriFone Systems plans to offer a new portable card terminal that can accept EMV-chip card payments and uses several wireless technologies.
The VX 690 is the company's first handheld EMV-capable payment terminal that uses Bluetooth, 3G and WiFi connectivity, VeriFone says in an April 9 news release. The VX 690 has dual SIM functionality, which enables the terminal to connect to multiple networks.
VeriFone plans to launch the device in late 2014 in North America, Australia and Asia.
The multiple radio types provide "a user experience that parallels that of a consumer electronics device," says Bill Nelson, executive vice president of Global Product Management for VeriFone. 3G, for example, "is critical in many markets where 2G networks are transitioning to 3G."
The device also has built-in GPS to allow merchants to track the location of every transaction. The terminal uses end-to-end encryption to protect data throughout the payment process.
"The user experience of the terminal combined with its robustness, flexibility, and technical communication capabilities will not only enable payments todayit will enable commerce tomorrow," said Bill Nelson, EVP of global product management for VeriFone, in the news release.
