MasterCard bringing mobile payments to multiple gadgets

MasterCard has announced a programme that will see mobile payments enabled in multiple consumer gadgets – not just the usual smartphones and watches.
Most people are still getting their heads around making payments with their smartphones, but MasterCard already wants to take things further.
The financial services giant has just announced a new initiative to get mobile payment technology into key fobs, jewellery, and even clothing. The idea is to let people pay with the things they actually use each day – whatever shape they might take.
It’s launching with a number of partners from across the spectrum, including fashion designer Adam Selman, car giant General Motors, wearables company Nymi, smart ring maker Ringly, and Bluetooth locator company TrackR.
There’ll be prototypes from several of the above on display at the Money 20/20 conference in Las Vegas this week.
Related: Apple Pay vs Samsung Pay
“As more and more ‘things’ become connected, consumers will have endless possibilities when it comes to how they pay, and will need all of their devices to work seamlessly together,” said MasterCard’s Ed McLaughlin. “This program eliminates the boundaries of how we pay by delivering a secure digital payment experience to virtually anything – rings, fitness and smart bands, car key fobs, apparel, and whatever comes along next.”
The first of these smart payment-enabled devices will rollout in the US next year, whilst MasterCard adds that there are also “plans to expand to other markets.”