Microsoft Wallet 2.0 Brings NFC Wireless Payments To Windows 10 Mobile Devices
One of the benefits of NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is the tap to pay feature that's supported on a bunch of mobile devices. Apple has Apple Pay for iOS handsets and wearables, Google has Android Pay, and Samsung is pushing its Samsung Pay as an alternative to both. What about Microsoft? The Redmond software giant will get in on the action when it releases Wallet 2.0.
Microsoft has sort of been sitting on the sidelines in the mobile payment arena, but the forthcoming Anniversary Update for Windows 10 Mobile, also known as Redstone 1, will introduce Microsoft's new Wallet 2.0 app, which itself will support NFC Tap to Pay. As of right now, it's a feature that's exclusive to the U.S. and available to some fast ring subscriber's of Microsoft's Insider program.
Daniel Rubino of Windows Central was able to obtain an internal build of the Wallet 2.0 app and give it a spin. Rubino says the app is broken down into two sections—one for credit and debit cards, and another for loyalty and membership cards. When you first launch the app, it will ping your Microsoft Account for any credit cards you might already have linked and optionally import those for Tap to Pay.
As with other mobile payment platforms, not all cards are going to work. In Rubino's case, his Bank of America Business MasterCard and American Express Corporate Platinum cards didn't work, though he mentions they also don't work with Apple Pay.
If you have a card that's compatible with Wallet 2.0, there's a verification process that entails sending a SMS code to complete the process. Once that's finished, you'll get a message saying your card's been added.
There are currently over 45 vendors that accept NFC payments via Wallet 2.0, including AAA, AARP, Ace Hardware, AMC Theater, American Eatle Outfitters, Barnes & Nobile, Best Buy, BevMo!, Big Lots, Bloomingdales, Cabela's, Champ Sports, Chico's, Craftsman, CVS Pharmacy, DSW, Eddie Bauer, Finish Line, Fred Meyer, GameStop, GNC, IKE, iPic Theaters, JCPenny, Lowes, Office Depot, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Panera Bread, Petco, Petsmart, Pro Sports Clug, QFC, Red Robin, Regal Cinemas, REI, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sports Authority, Staples, Shop and Shop, The Body Shop, Toys (& Babies) R Us, Ulta, Walgreens, and YMCA.
Microsoft has sort of been sitting on the sidelines in the mobile payment arena, but the forthcoming Anniversary Update for Windows 10 Mobile, also known as Redstone 1, will introduce Microsoft's new Wallet 2.0 app, which itself will support NFC Tap to Pay. As of right now, it's a feature that's exclusive to the U.S. and available to some fast ring subscriber's of Microsoft's Insider program.
Daniel Rubino of Windows Central was able to obtain an internal build of the Wallet 2.0 app and give it a spin. Rubino says the app is broken down into two sections—one for credit and debit cards, and another for loyalty and membership cards. When you first launch the app, it will ping your Microsoft Account for any credit cards you might already have linked and optionally import those for Tap to Pay.
As with other mobile payment platforms, not all cards are going to work. In Rubino's case, his Bank of America Business MasterCard and American Express Corporate Platinum cards didn't work, though he mentions they also don't work with Apple Pay.
If you have a card that's compatible with Wallet 2.0, there's a verification process that entails sending a SMS code to complete the process. Once that's finished, you'll get a message saying your card's been added.
There are currently over 45 vendors that accept NFC payments via Wallet 2.0, including AAA, AARP, Ace Hardware, AMC Theater, American Eatle Outfitters, Barnes & Nobile, Best Buy, BevMo!, Big Lots, Bloomingdales, Cabela's, Champ Sports, Chico's, Craftsman, CVS Pharmacy, DSW, Eddie Bauer, Finish Line, Fred Meyer, GameStop, GNC, IKE, iPic Theaters, JCPenny, Lowes, Office Depot, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Panera Bread, Petco, Petsmart, Pro Sports Clug, QFC, Red Robin, Regal Cinemas, REI, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sports Authority, Staples, Shop and Shop, The Body Shop, Toys (& Babies) R Us, Ulta, Walgreens, and YMCA.
