Visa has just unveiled a new contactless payment dongle to help it bring wireless payment solutions to Europe even on phones that are not NFC equipped such as the iPhone.
The dongle, otherwise known as the Wireless Dynamics iCarte accessory, simply slots onto the bottom of your iPhone. Once you have downloaded the Visa iCarte App from the App Store, you’re ready to make payments.
The iCarte payment dongle contains an antenna and an embedded Secure Element which safely stores the Visa mobile card. This then works with an iCarte to enable payments.
Once the Visa mobile card is activated, consumers can start making purchases by simply launching the app and touching their iPhone on any contactless-enabled point of sale terminal across Europe, without the need to enter their PIN*.
How the iCarte Dongle Enhances Payment Security
The iCarte dongle is designed with security in mind. The embedded Secure Element within the dongle ensures that your Visa mobile card information is stored safely and securely. This Secure Element is a tamper-resistant hardware component that provides a secure environment for storing sensitive data and executing secure transactions. This means that even if your iPhone is lost or stolen, your payment information remains protected.
Moreover, the iCarte dongle uses advanced encryption techniques to safeguard your transaction data as it is transmitted between your iPhone and the contactless payment terminal. This ensures that your payment information cannot be intercepted or tampered with during the transaction process.
Expanding Contactless Payments Across Europe
Visa’s introduction of the iCarte dongle is a significant step towards expanding contactless payment solutions across Europe. With the increasing popularity of contactless payments, this dongle provides a convenient solution for iPhone users who do not have NFC capabilities built into their devices. This is particularly important in Europe, where contactless payment adoption is growing rapidly.
For example, in the UK, contactless payments have become a common method of payment in various sectors, including retail, transportation, and hospitality. The iCarte dongle allows iPhone users to participate in this growing trend, making it easier for them to make quick and secure payments without the need for cash or physical cards.
Additionally, the iCarte dongle is compatible with a wide range of contactless-enabled point of sale terminals across Europe. This means that users can make payments at numerous locations, from small local shops to large retail chains, enhancing the overall convenience and accessibility of contactless payments.
More information on the iCarte systems can be found on their website.
Via Engadget
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