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Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

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Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#2
Can someone explain to me why FB chose to use credits over just actual money balances? Is it psychologically designed to get people more willing to fritter them in the same way it's easier to blow chips in a casino than real cash? Is it a way to funnel multiple currencies into one global currency?

It just seems like an extra unnecessary convoluted layer to me. Having a credit balance over real money balance is unnerving for me and would mean I would never put too much money on at any one time, there's too much risk of something bad happening like quick devaluation. Also it would probably be far less liquid and harder to convert back to cash.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#3
It will be really interesting if this gets approved for the iOS app store, as it's in flagrant violation of the "must use iTunes payments for in-app purchases" rule. But what's Apple to do — no Facebook on iPhone? That would be insane.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#4
post #3

It will be really interesting if this gets approved for the iOS app store, as it's in flagrant violation of the "must use iTunes payments for in-app purchases" rule. But what's Apple to do — no Facebook on iPhone? That would be insane.

The picture is clearly a web page: Apple has no say.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#5
post #4
post #3

It will be really interesting if this gets approved for the iOS app store, as it's in flagrant violation of the "must use iTunes payments for in-app purchases" rule. But what's Apple to do — no Facebook on iPhone? That would be insane.

The picture is clearly a web page: Apple has no say.

Would be interesting if users could make "in-app"-purchases via the fb app by momentarily going to mobile safari and then coming back. It's cumbersome but gets around Apple's policies.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#6

Can someone explain to me why FB chose to use credits over just actual money balances? Is it psychologically designed to get people more willing to fritter them in the same way it's easier to blow chips in a casino than real cash? Is it a way to funnel multiple currencies into one global currency? It just seems like an extra unnecessary convoluted layer to me. Having a credit balance over real money balance is unnerv…

Probably because FB is not a bank, and there are strict regulations in most countries for companies that store people's money like banks. Paypal is not a bank either, but I'd guess storing credits is still easier regulation-wise.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#7

Can someone explain to me why FB chose to use credits over just actual money balances? Is it psychologically designed to get people more willing to fritter them in the same way it's easier to blow chips in a casino than real cash? Is it a way to funnel multiple currencies into one global currency? It just seems like an extra unnecessary convoluted layer to me. Having a credit balance over real money balance is unnerv…

Generally it's to avoid credit card charges that cuts into the margins of micro-transactions.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#8
post #3

It will be really interesting if this gets approved for the iOS app store, as it's in flagrant violation of the "must use iTunes payments for in-app purchases" rule. But what's Apple to do — no Facebook on iPhone? That would be insane.

Hence, FB has been trying to create its own phone/mobile OS.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#9
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The picture is clearly a web page: Apple has no say.

Would be interesting if users could make "in-app"-purchases via the fb app by momentarily going to mobile safari and then coming back. It's cumbersome but gets around Apple's policies.

Don't worry, if this workaround is popular enough, Apple will change its policy again.

Re: Facebook Launches Simple Mobile Payments

#10
post #8
post #3

It will be really interesting if this gets approved for the iOS app store, as it's in flagrant violation of the "must use iTunes payments for in-app purchases" rule. But what's Apple to do — no Facebook on iPhone? That would be insane.

Hence, FB has been trying to create its own phone/mobile OS.

If this is true I wonder how closely fb is working with Microsoft? Given that Microsoft owns a small part of the company they could be collaborating.
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