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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

#31

Post by dangrossman »

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.

It's all plug-and-play, there are no drivers, software installs or any other setup. You literally just plug the printer into your switch/router, the cash drawer into the printer, and pair the bluetooth barcode scanner with the iPad. Then they just work. I'm not sure how USB devices would even work with an iPad, or why anyone would want cables running across the checkout counter of their store.

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

#33

Post by tehwebguy »

bhups wrote: post #28
hkmurakami wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

My assumption is that it's not as big of a deterrent because greasy smudge marks are so much easier to spot on a screen vs a pen.

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

#34

Post by bullfightonmars »

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.

Check out the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5...!

They show the whole stand spins around on a center axis for the signature.

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

#35

Post by Groxx »

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.

they're probably also trying to get more places to use Square, period. in that case, you also have the hands-free pay-with-your-name/face thing that presumably works here too, and means they basically just have to tap your image and it's done.

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

#36

Post by jguimont »

MrDOS wrote: post #16
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.

In Canada, virtually all credit card transactions now take place via chip insertion, not swiping, and chip transactions require PIN entry, not signing. Unless they get an external numpad to handle such things, this is going to be a security nightmare.

In Canada, most in store transaction are using Interac and not credit cards. I wonder when Square will accept both. I guess europeen countries have something similar to Interac as well (french's blue card?).

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

#37

Post by stbtrax »

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.

I always found the ritual of the cashier handing you two receipts, and a pen, then you struggling to find counter space to sign it with the non-functional pen, then trying to had back the pen and the receipt without giving them your copy, all with one hand since you're holding a drink in your other hand, to be even more awkward.

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

#38

Post by bhitov »

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.

At least on the cards I have looked into in the US, there is a purchase price limit and the card info is transmitted with ECC.

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

#39

Post by mrweasel »

MrDOS wrote: post #16
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.

In Canada, virtually all credit card transactions now take place via chip insertion, not swiping, and chip transactions require PIN entry, not signing. Unless they get an external numpad to handle such things, this is going to be a security nightmare.

It's going to useless in Europe as well. I doubt that the credit card companies will approve a terminal of any kind that relies on the magnet strip, rather than the chip.

I actually had a meeting with a guy from a credit card clearing company yesterday. His comment was that the credit card companies have pretty much given up on introducing chip and PIN to the US. They'll just let the US keep the magnet strip and signature until they can replace the credit card with things like VISA Wallet, NFC or whatever the solution will be.

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

#40

Post by kelvie »

jguimont wrote: post #36
MrDOS wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Canada, virtually all credit card transactions now take place via chip insertion, not swiping, and chip transactions require PIN entry, not signing. Unless they get an external numpad to handle such things, this is going to be a security nightmare.

In Canada, most in store transaction are using Interac and not credit cards. I wonder when Square will accept both. I guess europeen countries have something similar to Interac as well (french's blue card?).

That's not true, at least not here in Vancouver (though a lot of the Chinese here still tend to prefer cash). Many American banks have quite attractive rewards for using credit cards, so many people opt to use credit cards instead.
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