Mobile payments is really kicking off this year, especially in light of Square’s latest app for the iPad, centering on new payments services ana analytics.  What started as a payment service offered by a handful of tech startups has since expanded to incorporate banks, mobile operators, credit card networks, payments startups, tech companies, and now, even retailers offer the service since they can offer a more secured mobile wallet program.

Everyone wants a piece of the mobile wallet action, and it’s starting to get complicated and confusing in today’s competitive landscape.  The result is a surge in new programs and gimmicks to reel in mobile retailers and end users alike.  Here’s the latest in mobile payments:

Square Register

Square launched a new, free iPad app called Square Register, that comes with a new user interface and better integration to Square’s Card Case, which lets you “pay with your name.”  Aside from accepting credit card payments via Square’s free card reader, it also allows merchants to customize and create a mobile version of their store and control which features can be accessed by the employees for added security.

But the highlight of the new app is its in-depth analytics, which allows merchants to segment consumer payments data and transactions.  The dashboard provides a glance of basic sales information and recent transaction history, including the number of payments, subtotals, tax, tips, refunds, account deposits, etc. The data can then be broken down by sales for month or day, time of day, and even the size of payment.  Merchants can access and explore these analytics when they log into their Square account online as well.

VeriFone

VeriFone, which might be Square’s number one nemesis, will be integrated into an array of POS services, along with support for the Isis Mobile Commerce Application.  Isis is the joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless and Ingenico, ViVOtech and Equinox Payments will also join in.

“VeriFone retail customers are already embracing the convergence of online shopping and the physical point of sale with new mobile payment options, digital couponing, loyalty, location-based social media and value-added services,” said Jennifer Miles, VeriFone executive vice president, North America.

“NFC-enabled payments allow merchants to engage their shoppers in new and powerful conversations, and Isis’ open platform and scale are helping make mobile commerce a reality.”

Girl Scouts of America Goes Mobile

For the centennial celebration, Girl Scouts of America partners with mobile payments platform provider Sage North America which will enable 40,000 Girl Scouts to accept mobile payments for cookies.  Like we need even easier ways to buy Girl Scout cookies…

Movilway Expands To Rural America

Movilway comes to aid rural merchants in Central and South America with their new Android tablet Point Of Sale (POS) terminal as well as a new MoviPIN system for online purchases.

“It’s a common problem in rural and remote areas of the world, where many people simply do not have access to bank accounts,” said Movilway strategist Daniela Morgenstern. “How do you order and pay for online goods when you don’t have a credit card or a bank card?”

The customized Movilway tablet allows shop keepers to manage inventory, manage Movilway account “top ups” as well as run other Android apps that may be useful, while the MoviPIN system for pre-paid accounts lets customers purchase items online, buy digital content or games or even make purchases at participating vending machines.