Reports suggest that Microsoft is inching closer to developing a competitor to Apple Pay. Last month, it showcased a ‘tap to pay’ feature integrated in the latest line of Windows 10 phones during a Windows Hardware Maker’s Conference in China, known as WinHEC. Faisal Khan, a banking consultant, recently found proof that Idaho has already approved Microsoft’s payment transfer system. However, the company has applied for licenses all across 50 states. It is quite safe to assume that Microsoft’s new payment transfer service don’t begin and end in Boise.
In time, the service will be spread and established all across United States and elsewhere. According to reports from BGR, Microsoft also showed a slide that revealed a few more details regarding their new service. Microsoft’s Tap to Pay will make use of a technology that doesn’t require carriers to get involved and add support to it. It will make use of a Host Card Emulation which doesn’t require a Secure Element on a SIM card.
The latest devices will also feature NFC, a similar wireless technology used by iPhone and Android. However, Microsoft hasn’t provided any official information regarding the upcoming release of their Apple Pay competitor. According to Microsoft, with a new money transfer service, the company will gain the flexibility to provide new and improved cloud services to their customers.
The information involving Windows Phone devices having their payment methods doesn’t come as a surprise. A few Lumia Phones could be used to make mobile payments until a few days ago through an application, made by Softcard. It was the outcome of a joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
In February, Google bought this company and revoked the application that served Windows Phones. In January, people witnessed a partnership between Microsoft and PayPal in order to feature support for PayPal Here Hardware. Bill Gates earlier said that Apple Pay was a great idea, and all future will smartphones will support similar services.