This is definitely cool, but I'm really holding out for Stripe to come to Japan. An easy API for web app monetization would make a big difference.
Square now in Japan
11–20 of 38 posts
Re: Square now in Japan
#12At the HN meetup in Tokyo just last week people were complaining about the lack of something like Square in Japan. I guess things will get better now. Transforming your iPad/iPhone into a register is also pretty neat. I wonder if they'll look into putting an NFC reader in there and interface with all the IC cards here. Most people don't pay for their coffee by credit card.
[deleted]
Re: Square now in Japan
#13At the HN meetup in Tokyo just last week people were complaining about the lack of something like Square in Japan. I guess things will get better now. Transforming your iPad/iPhone into a register is also pretty neat. I wonder if they'll look into putting an NFC reader in there and interface with all the IC cards here. Most people don't pay for their coffee by credit card.
Coming from somebody who has always wanted to visit Tokyo, I can only imagine what the HN meetups are like.
Re: Square now in Japan
#14I'm looking forward to having them launch in the UK! Does anyone here have access to the beta?
I don't think Square can come to the UK in their current form. The card reader, although could technically work, will not be allowed by the credit card companies here. Square would need to make a small chip and pin reader for phones, similar to what PayPal have done. Are confusing Square with Stripe? If so I am in the beta and its brilliant. You can get in the beta by emailing them.
And you can't 'just' have a small chip reader. The PIN can only be entered in hardware, so you end up with something ridiculous like this http://www.ingenico.com/en/products/payment-terminals/mobili...
Re: Square now in Japan
#15So I take it that Japan doesn't have EMV chips in their bank cards yet? I'm curious to see how Square tackles that when they hopefully expand to Europe and Australia.
Been to an Apple Store in the last month (In Australia, at least)? This is how Apple tackles it http://www.ingenico.com/en/products/payment-terminals/mobili...
Re: Square now in Japan
#16So I take it that Japan doesn't have EMV chips in their bank cards yet? I'm curious to see how Square tackles that when they hopefully expand to Europe and Australia.
Been to an Apple Store in the last month (In Australia, at least)? This is how Apple tackles it http://www.ingenico.com/en/products/payment-terminals/mobili...
Interesting, it seems a little too bulky to get consumer traction but it's definitely a cool approach.
Re: Square now in Japan
#17At the HN meetup in Tokyo just last week people were complaining about the lack of something like Square in Japan. I guess things will get better now. Transforming your iPad/iPhone into a register is also pretty neat. I wonder if they'll look into putting an NFC reader in there and interface with all the IC cards here. Most people don't pay for their coffee by credit card.
Coming from somebody who has always wanted to visit Tokyo, I can only imagine what the HN meetups are like.
you can look at #hntokyo tag for some tweets about the events/pics. patio11 was there in all his glory as well.
Re: Square now in Japan
#18So I take it that Japan doesn't have EMV chips in their bank cards yet? I'm curious to see how Square tackles that when they hopefully expand to Europe and Australia.
Many don't, and basic debit accounts don't offer 'standard' cards (VISA, etc...). Japan also has a culture of using cash everywhere (I have seen people handling the equivalent of 1000s $ in cash numerous times), and it will be interesting to see what square can do there. Interesting challenges, and definitely something that needs improvements in Japan.
Cash usage is mostly because people feel they are more likely to get cheated by the banks then be robbed (which is probably a pretty fair assessment of risk ;).
I remember in the past making a $6,000 bank transfers by going to the convenience store ATM taking out money and going to the bank ATM. I don't know anywhere else in the world where I would feel safe doing that.
There is also a lot of electronic money usage. Many people carry hundreds of dollars on their rail cards.
Credit cards are considered risky in Japan. My understanding is that chargebacks are not enshrined in law so its not guaranteed and whether it is or not most people presume they will have to pay if their credit card is fraudulently charged.
Convenience store payments are also popular because they are low risk and convenient.
Re: Square now in Japan
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think Square can come to the UK in their current form. The card reader, although could technically work, will not be allowed by the credit card companies here. Square would need to make a small chip and pin reader for phones, similar to what PayPal have done. Are confusing Square with Stripe? If so I am in the beta and its brilliant. You can get in the beta by emailing them.
And you can't 'just' have a small chip reader. The PIN can only be entered in hardware, so you end up with something ridiculous like this http://www.ingenico.com/en/products/payment-terminals/mobili...
This is curious, why can it only be entered in hardware? Is it a safety precaution?
Re: Square now in Japan
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
And you can't 'just' have a small chip reader. The PIN can only be entered in hardware, so you end up with something ridiculous like this http://www.ingenico.com/en/products/payment-terminals/mobili...
This is curious, why can it only be entered in hardware? Is it a safety precaution?
You need control of the hardware to insure security. Think about what you could do if you run the credit card verification software in a debugger.