Great news for shopkeepers, now the hassle of swipe machine is over, iPhone has become the weapon for taking payments.

News India Live, Digital Desk: You have gone to a shop to buy goods, the shopkeeper does not have a big card machine, rather he takes out his iPhone from his pocket, touches your card on it and the payment is done. Yes, this is not a scene from a spy movie, but a new exploit of Apple.

Apple has launched an amazing feature ‘Tap to Pay’ in Hong Kong, which is going to change the world of payments. Let us understand in simple language what this new technology is and how it will benefit small shopkeepers.

Now iPhone has become a ‘mobile’ bank machine

Till now, if a shopkeeper had to take card payment, he had to get that heavy black or blue colored ‘POS machine’ or card reader from the bank. One also had to pay its fare and there was a separate headache of charging it.
But this new one from Apple ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’ The feature has changed the game.

• How does it work?: Now the shopkeeper only needs to have an iPhone (with the latest iOS).
• Process: When you buy the item, the shopkeeper will enter the payment amount in his iPhone. You just have to touch (tap) your credit/debit card or your mobile (with Apple Pay) on the merchant’s iPhone.
• Technology: With the help of NFC technology, it transfers money securely, without any wire or machine.

Boon for small traders

This service, which started in Hong Kong, has brought joy to the small cafes, taxis and small store owners there.

1. Saving money: Now they will not have to spend on buying or renting card swipe machines.
2. Ease: You can take payment anytime, anywhere. No need to carry heavy machines to fairs or even during home delivery.

Will this system come to India also?

Currently this service has started in countries like America, UK, Japan and now Hong Kong. Apple may also be preparing to bring it in India where UPI is prevalent. If it comes to India, it could be the next big revolution for shoppers after ‘Paytm Soundbox’. At present, Hong Kong users are now carrying around their ‘payment counter’ in their pocket.

This move by Apple shows that plastic cards will probably be around in the future, but the machines that grind them may go to museums!