I really wish they would work on pushing a final version of their API.
Square Register
11–20 of 125 posts
Re: Square Register
#12I'm drawing up a design to make them a better stand. What they have just looks like it's waiting to get pushed off a counter. They are only a few blocks away, I could just drop it off.
Is it not just the iPad software and the card reader they are selling?
I thought the stand was for demonstration.
The video shows a different stand than the homepage pic.
Re: Square Register
#13One piece is missing: a much more robust card reader that doesn't swivel or threaten to snap in two after a day of swiping.
I saw a poor barista trying dozens of times to make the reader accept a card the other day (Square + iPad, not sure if they were using this exact set up). It got quite violent. The scanner does really seem to be far too flimsy to be the primary payment mechanism in a busy business.
Re: Square Register
#14I would love to see a slight modification to the design of their reader hardware. Keep the audio interface, obviously. But design a small plastic frame that the reader can fit into that fits flush against the edge of the top of the iPad/iPhone. Make it a bit longer with slightly sloped internal edges so that its easier to guide a credit card to the scanner. This will also have the benefit keeping the reader from swiveling around while in use. Actually sounds like a Kickstarter project if Square doesn't come out with it themselves soon.
Re: Square Register
#15One piece is missing: a much more robust card reader that doesn't swivel or threaten to snap in two after a day of swiping.
I noticed a local business (Blue Moon Burgers) using iPads as registers, using similarly flimsy (though not Square) card readers. They gave up after a few months and switched to a traditional POS setup. I don't know whether it was the card readers that were to blame, but I'm guessing they were part of it.
Re: Square Register
#16I wonder if they plan to open a web store interface, so users can purchase things without an iPad... I've been looking for a sexy place to set up shop, but my business doesn't have walk-in customers. I know that's not really square's game though
Re: Square Register
#17The Application looks amazing. Well done.
What I do wonder though, is why they're shipping this with such a terrible stand/card reader attachment? I can't see those lasting 6 months in a busy shop environment. I'd like to see a swivel stand that's locked to the counter which you can slide the ipad into, then bolt secure and lock with a key. While you're at it, build a robust card reader into the side of the case. Basically something similar in form factor to this: http://www.directindustry.com/prod/elo-touchsystems/touch-sc...
I could probably put something like that together in a weekend with a trip to fry's/home depot, but why should I have to?
Also, a question I'd have before using this - what happens in the event of a software crash? Where is my data, how quickly does stuff get backed up online?
Re: Square Register
#18The Application looks amazing. Well done. What I do wonder though, is why they're shipping this with such a terrible stand/card reader attachment? I can't see those lasting 6 months in a busy shop environment. I'd like to see a swivel stand that's locked to the counter which you can slide the ipad into, then bolt secure and lock with a key. While you're at it, build a robust card reader into the side of the case. Bas…
Most likely because a lot of their business relies on easily being able to provide a ton of people with free card readers. I'm sure they've explored a more robust option, but it's probably nowhere near as cheap as the current model.
Maybe a paid upgrade card reader is the next step, but if their goal is broad, cheap and easy distribution they'll probably be shipping with this model for a long time.
Re: Square Register
#19I don't like how, as the customer, I have no way of seeing what exactly is being charged to my card. For all I know, anything could be running on that ipad (foreground or background) and i could be charged any amount without knowing. Sure, I can ask for a receipt, but even the legacy till they replace in the video has a customer facing display, not a shiny piece of aluminum with some fruit. It's interesting that video never switches to the customer view either.
Re: Square Register
#20The Application looks amazing. Well done. What I do wonder though, is why they're shipping this with such a terrible stand/card reader attachment? I can't see those lasting 6 months in a busy shop environment. I'd like to see a swivel stand that's locked to the counter which you can slide the ipad into, then bolt secure and lock with a key. While you're at it, build a robust card reader into the side of the case. Bas…
Most likely because a lot of their business relies on easily being able to provide a ton of people with free card readers. I'm sure they've explored a more robust option, but it's probably nowhere near as cheap as the current model. Maybe a paid upgrade card reader is the next step, but if their goal is broad, cheap and easy distribution they'll probably be shipping with this model for a long time.
I'm not suggesting this is free, by any means. However, given the cost of buying existing POS hardware solutions, I'm confident I could handcraft bespoke ipad cases with card readers, sell them an ipad and still make a profit, all while undercutting a more traditional setup.