PayPal Here Reader Adds Windows 8.1 Support, With App Integration Later This Month

PayPal Inc. updated its reader for its PayPal Here mobile point-of-sale service with Windows 8.1 support and separately plans to release software to integrate reader support into iOS and Android apps.

Introduced in 2012, PayPal Here enables merchants to use their smart phones and tablets as payment-acceptance devices. The inclusion of Windows 8.1 support means that merchants now will able to use the service with Microsoft Surface tablets and other Windows devices, PayPal says in a blog post. Windows Phone OS 8.1 holds approximately a 1.1% market share among smart phones and tablets, according to NetMarketShare.

PayPal says it also is working with two POS system developers, Canvas, a vendor of paper-to-digital conversion software, and iConnect POS, a POS equipment provider, to integrate PayPal Here into their custom business apps.

PayPal, which eBay Inc. intends to spin off later this year, also says the PayPal Here software development kit will be updated so developers can integrate PayPal Here payment functionality directly into apps.

“With this flexibility, small-business owners can enjoy the full range of innovative PayPal checkout benefits, including the ability to take credit card, debit card, and other forms of payment on the go, manage CRM and inventory, create and maintain invoices, and more, in a way that addresses the specific needs of their unique business,” says Brad Brodigan, vice president and general manager of retail, in the blog post.

And, later this year, PayPal will add Europay-MasterCard-Visa (EMV) and contactless payment support to the reader.

Earlier this week, PayPal added features to its PayPal Credit service that allow merchants to offer a monthly payment option and determine the number of months and interest rate appropriate for their customers. Interest-free options are available, too.