Application developers for the iPhone can now add credit card payment capabilities to the apps they develop, enabling eCommerce merchants to use the iPhone as an additional channel for the first time.
WorldNet, the Dublin-based provider of secure online and mobile payment services to eCommerce merchants, today launched iPay for the iPhone, allowing developers embed credit card payments into iPhone applications for the first time.
To date, all payments from iPhone apps have been processed by Apple, who retain up to 40% of the revenue. The iPay solution allows payments to be processed by the merchants' existing card acquiring bank, without having to go via the Apple payment infrastructure.
Speaking at the DEVDAYs seminar for iPhone Developers, in Dublin, WorldNet Head of Product Innovation John Clarke says "I am delighted to announce the development of the first open card payment library for the iPhone, as our latest product innovation for our customers. The iPhone has the potential to be a game-changer in enabling mCommerce. This innovation unlocks that potential, and opens the iPhone up to a whole new audience, allowing eCommerce merchants to sell as efficiently via an app as they currently do via their web sites".
"Currently mCommerce on the iPhone is restricted to smaller ticket items, and digital goods, as the iPhone charging structure make it unattractive to eCommerce merchants. The release of iPay marks a major expansion of the potential reach of the iPhone, and a real step forward towards making mCommerce a reality".