I would try this new mobile wallet, just because it reminds me of that ancient goddess, otherwise it's another wallet under the sun. Isis will be launched in Austin, with a very generous promise that will be available worldwide during the months to come.
Isis Mobile Wallet Launched
Isis Mobile Wallet app hits the Google Play store today, but only in select markets: T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and AT&T customers in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you are interested by the idea, you can pick up a free Isis NFC SIM card, download the Isis Mobile Wallet app and get started.
T-Mobile has already announced that only three of its supported phones will run Isis: Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S Relay 4G and Galaxy S II. By the end of the year, probably HTC Amaze 4G and Samsung Galaxy Note II will help the company draw more attention on the issue. One more thing, don't try it at home, just to make sure you will save more money, rooted devices won't work with Isis.
Isis Mobile Wallet Launched
On Verizon, Isis works on HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE, while Motorola Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD will have to wait until the end of the week, when they will be enhanced for the new financial app. AT&T keeps it quiet, but it's obvious it won't miss the chance to gather more customers, thanks to this app.
How did Isis appear after all? It seems that the app with such an exotic name is a joint venture between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, tired of Google and Apple's hegemony in this field. The three mighty carriers united their forces and created Isis, officially allowing customers to make purchases and transactions with a simple tap of their smartphone. Thanks to NFC technology, consumers and merchants can transfer money, make payments or offer discounts. It's simple, quick and funny!
Austin and Salt Lake City Android users can download the required free apps for their gadgets, supported by one of the carriers, via Google Play. According to your carrier, you will get a bonus too, for instance T-Mobile customers can get $10 of free Isis eCash when activating the application. It will work with almost any possible card such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Chase, Capital One and Barclaycard cards.
Wireless carriers were initially interested in mobile payments, because they saw it as a potential revenue source. Merchants, such as WalMart and Target, which announced their plans for their own mobile payment system, try in this way to avoid interchange fees that credit card companies charge them. Everybody wins from this financial app race, both the customer and the merchants, which is why this field will become extremely crowded as soon as possible.
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