Windows 10 mobile users will be able to make contactless payments using their devices with the introduction of Microsoft Wallet to the preview version of the operating system.
The cloud-based technology will initially be available to Windows Insiders running build 14360 or later on a Lumia 950, 950 XL or 650 handset.
Like rival wallets Android Pay and Apple Pay, Microsoft Wallet stores credit, debt and loyally cards and promises a secure connection that can help minimise fraud as no card number is shared with retailers.
“In our digital stores today, whether it’s Xbox, Office or the Windows Store, our customers enjoy the ease of signing in with a Microsoft account and having their secured payment information on hand to quickly and more safely purchase products.
“Our customers have asked us to extend similar experiences to their phones and we are excited they can now enjoy easy, more secure transactions with Microsoft Wallet and tap to pay on their Windows 10 Mobile phone. To help making shopping a breeze, Microsoft Wallet also provides one convenient place to store reward and membership numbers so all customers have to do is reference or scan them right from their phone.”
Microsoft is urging retailers to let people know they accept Microsoft Wallet, but Windows market share lags significantly behind iOS and Android. Figures from IDC published in March claimed Windows has a 1.6 percent share of the global smartphone market and could drop to 0.9 percent by 2020, meaning the company’s hopes rely on Windows 10 for a revival.
Lacklustre sales had led many to question the future of Microsoft’s mobile platform, but Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and devices group, has told staff it remains committed to supporting Windows 10 Mobile for ‘many years’, and that it is currently working on a number of new products featuring the software.
TechWeekEurope has asked whether the platform will be coming to the UK.
What do you know about Windows 10? Try our quiz!
Investor appeasement? Apple unveils huge $110 billion share buyback program, as sales of iPhone decline…
Tesla retreats from pioneering gigacasting manufacturing process, amid cost cutting and challenges at EV giant
No skynet please. After the US, UK and France pledge human only control of nuclear…
Microsoft's AI investments continue in south east Asia, after investments in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, as…
New chapter for LastPass as it becomes an independent company to focus on cybersecurity, after…
US FCC seeks to ban Chinese telecom firms at centre of national security concerns from…
View Comments
Does anyone even care about Windows phone OS. Its dead !!!