Blaze Mobile and MasterCard Worldwide Offer Innovative Payment Sticker for Tap & Go(TM) Payments Using Mobile Devices
30 Março 2009 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Users Enjoy Fast, Convenient Checkout at Over 141,000 Merchants
without Carrying their Wallets ALAMEDA, Calif., March 30
/PRNewswire/ -- Blaze Mobile and MasterCard Worldwide today
introduced the Blaze Mobile MasterCard(R) PayPass(TM) mobile
payment sticker. The small mobile payment sticker can be affixed to
any mobile device, enabling it to be used for "Tap & Go"
purchases at any of the over 141,000 merchant locations accept
PayPass. The mobile payment sticker is tied to a prepaid account
and is issued by MetaBank. "This innovative mobile payment sticker
leverages the ubiquity and convenience of mobile phones, as well as
the increasing comfort level among consumers with converging
technologies on mobile devices," said Art Kranzley, Chief Emerging
Technology Officer, MasterCard Worldwide. "Contactless payment
capabilities on the device will make life easier for mobile users
who can quickly make purchases at retail locations without their
wallets," he said. The Blaze Mobile MasterCard PayPass mobile
payment sticker is equipped with advanced radio frequency
technology, offering the highest level of contactless payment
security. Although the mobile payment sticker is designed to work
specifically with mobile devices, it functions just like other
PayPass devices. The mobile payment sticker transmits card
information to the merchant's point-of-sale terminal, via highly
secure advanced radio frequency technology, allowing consumers to
simply "tap" their mobile device with the sticker affixed on a
PayPass reader to complete their transaction. MasterCard sees this
approach as a bridge to fully integrated contactless payment
capabilities using NFC (Near Field Communications) technology.
"Having a payment capability on the phone is a great way for
consumers to see the benefit of having a payment capability in the
phone," added Kranzley. "We created this unique mobile payment
sticker to meet the needs of today's busy consumer," said Michelle
Fisher, CEO of Blaze Mobile. "With the help of MasterCard, we
believe that this technology positions Blaze Mobile as a key
enabler in the mobile commerce marketplace." The mobile payment
sticker was designed to complement the Blaze Mobile Wallet, an
innovative mobile commerce application. The Blaze Mobile Wallet,
available for free, enables mobile phone users to purchase movie
and event tickets, manage bank accounts at more than 8,000
supported financial institutions, view electronic receipts, and
create expense reports, all from the palm of their hand. The Blaze
Mobile Wallet also offers valuable location based services such as
maps and points of interest, including ATMs, restaurants and much
more. The Blaze Mobile MasterCard PayPass mobile payment sticker is
tied to a prepaid account, and is issued by MetaBank (TM) pursuant
to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard
is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.
To learn more about Blaze Mobile Wallet and the Blaze Mobile
MasterCard PayPass mobile payment sticker visit
http://www.blazemobile.com/. About MasterCard PayPass MasterCard
PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where
speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless
technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants,
drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores,
sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems, taxis, parking
garages and more. As of 4Q 2008, there are over 50 million PayPass
cards and devices in use at over 141,000 merchant locations
worldwide, including participating BP, Best Buy, 7- Eleven, CVS,
McDonald's, Petco and many other stores. PayPass also is accepted
at numerous professional football and baseball stadiums. For more
information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of
participating merchants, visit http://www.mastercard.com/paypass.
About Blaze Mobile Blaze Mobile develops innovative mobile commerce
and advertising solutions that enable secure, convenient,
cost-effective transactions and promotions from the mobile device.
The Blaze Mobile Wallet enables fast and easy "contact-less"
purchases - including movie and event tickets - as well as fund
transfer, banking, and personal finance management. It can manage
bank accounts at more than 8,000 supported financial institutions,
view electronic receipts, and quickly and easily create expense
reports. Blaze Mobile Wallet also offers valuable location based
services such as maps and points of interest, including ATMs,
restaurants and more - all in the palm of your hand. The Blaze
Mobile Advertising Network enables companies to target specific
mobile advertisements and promotions to their most important
customers, delivering unparalleled marketing and branding
capabilities. Blaze Mobile applications are available through the
Apple iPhone, T-mobile, AT&T, NTelos, and for more information,
please visit http://www.blazemobile.com/. About MasterCard
Worldwide MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by
providing a critical economic link among financial institutions,
businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor,
processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment
solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each
year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting
services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered
by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of
brands, including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R),
MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210
countries and territories. For more information go to
http://www.mastercard.com/. About MetaBank(TM) MetaBank is a
federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Meta Financial Group, Inc.(R) is the holding company for MetaBank,
Meta Payment Systems(R), and Meta Trust Company(R). The Meta
Payment Systems (MPS) division of MetaBank based in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, is a recognized leader in the prepaid card industry
and provides innovative payment solutions delivered nationally in
collaboration with market-leading partners. MPS focuses on offering
specific product solutions in the following areas: (i) prepaid
cards, (ii) credit cards and lending solutions, and (iii) ATM
sponsorship. Meta Financial Group is traded on the NASDAQ Global
Market(R): CASH. For more information visit
http://www.metacash.com/. Press Contact: Jim Campbell Blaze Mobile
Tel. 1-877-232-5293 Tristan Jordan MasterCard Worldwide Tel.
1-914-249-5724 DATASOURCE: MasterCard Worldwide CONTACT: Jim
Campbell of Blaze Mobile, +1-877-232-5293, , or Tristan Jordan of
MasterCard Worldwide, +1-914-249-5724, Web Site:
http://www.mastercard.com/
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