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Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

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Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#21

Post by puls »

dangrossman wrote: post #7
fudged71 wrote: post #3

Are there any wires needed to hook into receipt printers, cash boxes, etc?

The receipt printer is a network printer; it needs an ethernet cable. The iPad connects to the printer over wifi. The receipt printer is connected to the cash drawer by, essentially, a telephone cable. The printer tells the drawer to open through that line; the iPad does not directly communicate with the cash drawer. Unfortunately I paid $499 for this stuff from Square just last month, and I'm not going to spend $299…

The Square Stand actually includes a USB hub to plug the printer, cash drawer, and barcode scanner in via USB. It's much simpler than setting up everything to talk on the network.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#22

Post by joezydeco »

masonhensley wrote: post #17
joezydeco wrote: post #11

So what happens with signatures? I recently visited a cafe where they were using an iPad as a checkout, and the cashier had to constantly swivel the thing around to let customers sign for their purchase. I know it's not that big an inconvenience, but it just seemed like an awkward conclusion to a transaction that's supposed to be simplified by these devices.

My coffee shop has a wooden case they made that they flip over for the user to sign and add a tip amount while the coffee is being prepared. This is just much less ghetto and has a more substantial card reader built into it.

That's a pretty cool idea.

I'm still wary about the whole concept of letting the customer access the POS interface. What's to keep the customer from subtracting a few items off the tab while the barista is away and working?

Flipping the case over and letting the UI switch into a "signature capture only" mode might be a nice way to solve that.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#23

Post by astrodust »

joezydeco wrote: post #22
masonhensley wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My coffee shop has a wooden case they made that they flip over for the user to sign and add a tip amount while the coffee is being prepared. This is just much less ghetto and has a more substantial card reader built into it.

That's a pretty cool idea. I'm still wary about the whole concept of letting the customer access the POS interface. What's to keep the customer from subtracting a few items off the tab while the barista is away and working? Flipping the case over and letting the UI switch into a "signature capture only" mode might be a nice way to solve that.

Bolting a second iPad into the system, like a Mini, might solve this problem, where it's locked into the signature mode unless doing something like advertising.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#24

Post by tghw »

joezydeco wrote: post #22
masonhensley wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My coffee shop has a wooden case they made that they flip over for the user to sign and add a tip amount while the coffee is being prepared. This is just much less ghetto and has a more substantial card reader built into it.

That's a pretty cool idea. I'm still wary about the whole concept of letting the customer access the POS interface. What's to keep the customer from subtracting a few items off the tab while the barista is away and working? Flipping the case over and letting the UI switch into a "signature capture only" mode might be a nice way to solve that.

That's exactly how it works. The barista puts in the items and then it goes into signature mode where you choose a tip and sign.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#25

Post by astrodust »

mattermill wrote: post #6
meerita wrote: post #5

Here in Barcelona we're using wireless for paying. Each card has a chip you just get your card close to the read and bam, you payed the bill. It's nice and confortable.

That sounds sketchy as hell.

Here it's known as "Paywave" (http://www.visa.ca/en/personal/visa-paywave/index.jsp)

On a credit card you have the safety of being able to appeal transactions. I wouldn't want this on a debit card.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#26

Post by hkmurakami »

dangrossman wrote: post #20
joezydeco wrote: post #11

So what happens with signatures? I recently visited a cafe where they were using an iPad as a checkout, and the cashier had to constantly swivel the thing around to let customers sign for their purchase. I know it's not that big an inconvenience, but it just seemed like an awkward conclusion to a transaction that's supposed to be simplified by these devices.

Buying an iPad stylus makes it a little less awkward than asking the customer to sign with their finger.

Also, some customers probably can't stand touching the surface of an iPad that's been touched by a hundred people before them.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#28

Post by bhups »

hkmurakami wrote: post #26
dangrossman wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Buying an iPad stylus makes it a little less awkward than asking the customer to sign with their finger.

Also, some customers probably can't stand touching the surface of an iPad that's been touched by a hundred people before them.

Doesn't that apply to ordinary pens too, though?

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#29

Post by brandon272 »

meerita wrote: post #5

Here in Barcelona we're using wireless for paying. Each card has a chip you just get your card close to the read and bam, you payed the bill. It's nice and confortable.

I have been using the "tap to pay" feature on my credit card here in Canada increasingly. So convenient versus inserting the card, typing the PIN, etc.

Re: Square Debuts its Latest Hardware, a $299 Card Swiper for iPad Registers

#30

Post by [deleted] »

puls wrote: post #21
dangrossman wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The receipt printer is a network printer; it needs an ethernet cable. The iPad connects to the printer over wifi. The receipt printer is connected to the cash drawer by, essentially, a telephone cable. The printer tells the drawer to open through that line; the iPad does not directly communicate with the cash drawer. Unfortunately I paid $499 for this stuff from Square just last month, and I'm not going to spend $299…

The Square Stand actually includes a USB hub to plug the printer, cash drawer, and barcode scanner in via USB. It's much simpler than setting up everything to talk on the network.

[deleted]
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