By Andrew Liszewski
It lacks the subtlety of the Square payment system’s iPhone/iPod Touch credit card reader, but there’s just something about Macally’s new Swipe It Reader that makes it look so much more reliable and trustworthy. Maybe it’s because of the Swipe It Reader’s slightly bulky design that looks like the credit card readers we’ve been using at stores all these years? I’m not sure. But part of that bulk comes from the device’s spring-loaded arm which cleverly allows it to hold iPhones and iPod Touches wrapped in cases, or whatever future designs Mr. Ives comes up with.
The Swipe It Reader is compatible with Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover cards, and all swiped data is encrypted before it’s passed from the reader to the custom Swipe It app running on either device. Transactions can be wirelessly completed either over a cellular data connection or Wi-Fi, and while the reader supposedly only draws minimal power from the iPhone or Touch, I’m sure it won’t do any favors to the battery life of either of those devices, so an included AC adapter can also be used. As for pricing and availability info? That’s currently listed as ‘Coming Soon’ on the Macally website.
[ Swipe It Reader ] VIA [ ChipChick ]
Words fail me how to describe this!
Is it April 1st already?!
Surely this is prop/photoshop for the an upcoming article on The Onion.
This is a great product for those that run their own business that travels a lot.
This is a great product for those that run their own business that travels a lot.