Android-powered smartphones are now being used to collect payments for transit tickets in Kenya, according to NFCBrief. Kenyans can purchase a payment card, called BebaPay, and will simply be able to tap the card to an NFC-enabled Android smartphone carried by a conductor in order to pay for a travel fare. After the payment is collected, an SMS will be sent to the traveler with information on the fee charged to the payment card.
NFCBrief said that travelers can purchase BebaPay cards online and fill them up at any Equity Bank or by using their phones. Google plans to take the mobile payment system a step further by allowing any BebaPay card owner to pay another user using NFC. That would, for example, allow one user to transfer money to another’s BebaPay card simply by tapping his or her smartphone to someone else’s device. That will require an app from Google that has not yet been released, however.
Google tried mobile payments in the United States with its Google Wallet software but the entire system has generally been viewed as a failure as most U.S. carriers did not support the system and there were few retail outlets that accepted Google Wallet payments.
Thanks, Jon!
Win an iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch with the Reader's Choice giveaway!
What's the best phone of 2019? Is it the iPhone 11 Pro, Pixel 4 or OnePlus 7T? What about the best laptop, games console, tablet and more? Vote NOW in the Reader's Choice awards and win BIG in time for the holidays!
Here are the best products from IFA 2019!
Here are the products announced at IFA 2019 that were worthy of our Best of IFA 2019 awards. Also featuring MrMobile's single best product at the show!
Pixel 4 hands-on videos reveal all, including new 'Screen attention' mode
The Pixel 4 leaks continue to be fierce. Most recently, three hands-on videos showcasing the Pixel 4 in all of its glory have been uploaded to YouTube.
Keep that impressive Pixel 3 XL camera protected with these cases
If you have a Pixel 3 XL, chances are you're worried that its stunning glass and metal design will break during that first unexpected drop. We know the feeling, so we’ve compiled the best cases to keep your phone protected.
