Mobile payment processor Square just launched its first chip-and-signature card reader that plugs into smartphones and tablets, thereby allowing merchants in the US to accept payments from both chip-based cards and magnetic-stripe cards. At $29 apiece, Square says the new Reader for Chip Cards is the cheapest chip-enabled reader on the market.
The new reader works with iOS and Android devices, and encrypts transaction data from start to finish to ensure secure payments. This offering comes well in time for merchants to make the mandatory switch to chip-based card-compatible payment terminals before October next year.
Square Stand owners who use their iPads to receive payments via magnetic-stripe cards, can also purchase the new Chip Card Accessory, which plugs in via USB and accepts chip cards, for $39.
Both products are available for pre-order today from Square’s online store, and buyers can expect delivery early next year.
➤ Square Shop
LG’s G Pad 7.0 tablet arriving in Europe this week, G Pad 8.0 and 10.1 to follow
LG has confirmed that the first of its new range of G Pad tablets will go on sale in Europe starting this week.
Initially, the 7-inch model will be the only one available to buy this week, but the South Korean device manufacturer said the 8-inch and 10.1-inch version will be following along “over the next several weeks”.
Announced in May , the trio of tablets share some common features, like the inclusion of Knock Code, Smart Keyboard and a simplified LG-tweaked UI, but there are slight differences in hardware.
The 7-inch model will come with a 1280 x 800 pixels display, 1.2GHz quad core processor, 8GB of storage and a 3-megapixel camera. The two larger models will offer the same resolution display and processor, but more storage and a 5-megapixel camera. The 10.1-inch model also has a larger battery capacity.
All three will be available in black, white, red, orange or blue.
The company didn’t specify exactly which European countries would be the first to receive the 7-inch model or other non-EU availability, but we’ll let you if LG gets back to us.
Microsoft says all current Surface Pro accessories will work with the next version of the tablet
Microsoft wants to make more inroads into the enterprise world. To that end today it announced tools for IT departments, information about future versions of the tablet and a deal for just for business customers.
Microsoft has cemented its commitment to the Surface Pro line with an announcement that all current Surface Pro accessories would work with the next generation of the device. This includes the Type Cover and docking station .
The company has also announced that all firmware and drivers will be available to IT departments so custom images can be created. Custom images are key to mass deployment in business environments. This will include Windows 10 when it is released.
Finally Microsoft announced a deal for corporate customers. If they purchase a Surface Pro 3, Type Cover and a docking station together, Microsoft will know $150 off the total price. Unfortunately the deal isn’t available for end users. The offer is available in the US now and will be available worldwide in the coming weeks.
Image credit: AFP/Getty
➤ Surface Pro 3 is for Business Especially [Microsoft]