"This innovative mobile-payment sticker leverages the ubiquity and convenience of mobile phones, as well as the increasing comfort level among consumers with converging technologies on mobile devices," said Art Kranzley, chief emerging technology officer, MasterCard Worldwide. "Contactless [image-nocss] payment capabilities on the device will make life easier for mobile users who can quickly make purchases at retail locations without their wallets."
The Blaze Mobile MasterCard PayPass mobile-payment sticker is equipped with advanced radio-frequency technology, offering a high level of contactless-payment security.
Although the mobile-payment sticker is designed to work specifically with mobile devices, it functions just like other PayPass devices. The sticker transmits card information to the merchant's point-of-sale terminal via radio-frequency technology, allowing consumers to simply "tap" their mobile device with the sticker affixed on a PayPass reader to complete their transaction.
MasterCard sees this approach as a bridge to fully integrated contactless payment capabilities using NFC (Near Field Communications) technology. "Having a payment capability on the phone is a great way for consumers to see the benefit of having a payment capability in the phone," said Kranzley.
"We created this unique mobile payment sticker to meet the needs of today's busy consumer," said Michelle Fisher, CEO of Blaze Mobile. "With the help of MasterCard, we believe that this technology positions Blaze Mobile as a key enabler in the mobile-commerce marketplace."
The mobile-payment sticker was designed to complement the Blaze Mobile Wallet, an innovative mobile-commerce application. The Blaze Mobile Wallet, available for free, enables mobile phone users to purchase movie and event tickets, manage bank accounts at more than 8,000 supported financial institutions, view electronic receipts and create expense reports, all from the palm of their hand.
The Blaze Mobile Wallet also offers services such as maps and points of interest, including ATMs, restaurants and much more.
The Blaze Mobile MasterCard PayPass mobile-payment sticker is tied to a prepaid account, and is issued by MetaBank pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Inc. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.
As of Q4 2008, there are more than 50 million PayPass cards and devices in use at over 141,000 merchant locations worldwide, including participating BP, Best Buy, 7- Eleven, CVS, McDonald's, Petco and other stores.
Alameda, Calif.-based Blaze Mobile develops innovative mobile-commerce and -advertising solutions that enable secure, convenient, cost-effective transactions and promotions from the mobile device.
Purchase, N.Y.-based MasterCard Worldwide aims to advance global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide.
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