Alipay, China's leading mobile payment service operated by Ant Group, has launched a new tap-and-pay feature called Tap! to streamline the checkout process and improve user experience on Android and iPhone devices. This feature, available in major cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Hangzhou, allows users to complete transactions by simply tapping their smartphones on a merchant’s USB device. Unlike traditional Near-Field Communication (NFC) methods used by Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, Alipay’s Tap! turns smartphones into NFC tag readers, simplifying the QR code payment process with a single tap.
This development reflects the growing trend towards contactless payments, highlighting the significant influence tech companies have over consumer payment options.
Source: Digital Watch Observatory
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