Having realized that your phones can be used for things other than making calls, like paying for goods on the go, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile teamed up to create a joint venture called Isis Mobile Wallet. It’s goal is to become your one and only NFC-based mobile payment system. While the service hasn’t rolled out nationally, it is being tested in two markets:  Salt Lake City and Austin. For those who live in these two cities, you can test the service to your heart’s desire this very minute as long as you have a phone with an NFC chip inside. The rest of us, we have to wait until it gets the thumbs up for a bigger rollout.

In the mean time, we thought we’d put together a little tutorial on the app since we were able to get a hold of one of Isis’ requirements, an NFC SIM card. We typically like to do our best at preparing the DL community for what’s to come. So let’s talk about it.

NFC SIM Card

With Isis Mobile Wallet, you are required to use a brand new NFC-equipped secure SIM card. We aren’t fully sure the reasoning behind this, since there is an NFC chip in most phones, but it likely adds a level of security that Verizon and its partners feel more comfortable with. In fact, if you try to load up Isis on your NFC phone, it’ll fail as it looks to the Secure Element of an NFC SIM for approval. Once you drop an NFC SIM in, the app fires right up, and starts the setup process.

If you live in Salt Lake City or Austin, you can pop into your local Verizon store and they’ll give you an NFC SIM at no charge. If you live outside of those areas, you can call into customer care and request one, which usually takes a couple of days to arrive.

Setup Instructions:

1.  Once you have inserted your NFC SIM and it has activated, you are ready to setup Isis.
2.  Install the app from the Google Play store.
3.  Upon first launching the app, it’ll check your phone to see that you have a correct SIM inserted.
4.  Once verified, you will walk through a brief setup that asks for account, password, and PIN.

5.  Isis will work on preparing the secure element of your phone which takes a few minutes.
6.  Once finished, they will notify you via text that you can use Isis.

7.  Now, open the app, input your PIN, and get to the real goods – setting up cards and offers.

Isis App Tour

Once you are inside the app, it’s time to navigate around, setup cards, find offers, and figure out how to use the damn thing. For most, you should initially see the Isis Cash prepaid card. This is a VISA that can be loaded with as much cash as you wish, but to get you into using the service, Isis will give you $10. Well, unless you are me, who they apparently decided wasn’t worthy of this perk. All I could do was add credit cards – there was no prepaid card for me.

On a credit card front, we should point out that you can’t add any card of choice. At this time, Isis only supports Capitol One, Chase, and American Express cards. We hope they open it up to all cards at some point, but for now, this is what you get.

I should also point out that the setup process isn’t all that simple. Both Capitol One and American Express redirect you to outside websites for setup. Once you walk through the process, you have to wait for the credit card company to process your request to add the card to Isis, which could take several minutes. Once approved, you will receive notice and your app will then show your card connected. Definitely not as seamless as Google Wallet.

Beyond cards, depending on your locale, Isis will also show you local offers and a feed of nearby deals from companies or businesses they have partnered with. For me, Macy’s was it, however, once I changed my zip code, I was able to see a number of deals for places in Salt Lake City.

When viewing an offer, you are able to use a barcode that can be scanned in store (I’d assume because the store doesn’t have Pay Pass or pay-to-tap capabilities) or you can hit the button to give you the power to tap.

The app itself is setup with panels that can be accessed by selecting the appropriate button at the bottom for Home, Isis Feed, Directory, or More. On the main page of the app, you have a top portion that allows you to flip between cards and a bottom portion that allows you to flip between offers. Other than that, it’s a pretty self explanatory service.

I’ll hopefully have some time to test the actual functionality of the app in the coming days, but so far, it seems a bit more difficult than I had imagined. There are toggles to activate things, no way to add your normal bank card, and some bugs that will more than likely be addressed.

I can help but compare this to Google Wallet, which in my early opinion, is a far superior mobile payment system to Isis. Google Wallet allows you to add any card in your wallet, and also makes it incredibly simple to pay for things with it. There are no on/off toggles – just tap, pay, and go. Too bad Google Wallet has been banned from our lives by the companies behind Isis.

Cheers Jason!

How to: Setup Isis Mobile Wallet on Verizon is a post from: Droid Life

Last week, we put together yet another new piece that discussed Verizon’s reasoning for not allowing Google Wallet to work on their NFC-equipped devices. In a response to an FCC complaint, VZW argued that since Google Wallet requires interaction with the “secure element” of a phone, that it’s different than normal applications, including other m-commerce apps. Since it needs to access this “secure element” in order to function, Verizon isn’t OK with it and has asked Google to make sure that it doesn’t work on their phones. However, with their own mobile payment app, they appear to be 100% behind an app using that same “secure element.” 

As you all know, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T have been working on their own NFC-based mobile payment system known as Isis Mobile Wallet. It’s essentially identical to Google Wallet. Many of us have argued over the last year that these three carriers are simply blocking Google Wallet because they have their own payment system in the works, something that they all deny. While we may never know the complete truth to the story, this latest find by one of our readers who installed Isis on his Galaxy S3 is certainly worth mentioning.

In the screenshots above, taken directly from the Isis Mobile Wallet app on a Verizon Galaxy S3, you can see mentions of the previously talked about “secure element.” In fact, the phone requirements for the app speak of this “secure element” as a “dedicated component in your phone” used to store payment cards and everything else needed to properly run a mobile payment app with NFC. Basically, that’s everything that they said was bad about Google Wallet, and that if Google removed this requirement, that its app could be used on Verizon phones.

We had initially tossed out the idea that maybe Verizon was asking Google to add in NFC-SIM requirements to the app, since Isis works with newly created NFC-SIM cards. Whether that is or was the case, it doesn’t appear to matter, as Isis will still use the “secure element” inside your phone, which again, is the same “secure element” that Verizon mentioned as the reasoning behind their stoppage of Google Wallet. They clearly are OK with their own mobile payment app accessing this.

Look, we could probably argue and complain about Verizon and other carriers’ ridiculous control over smartphones for days, but in the end, these are all just more reasons to think about leaving your carrier and buying an unlocked phone like the Nexus 4. Once you have freed yourself from contracts and the subsidy cycle, your mobile experience will be so much more open and free.

Cheers Christopher!

Verizon is OK With Isis Mobile Wallet Accessing the Secure Element on Your Phone, Just Not Google Wallet is a post from: Droid Life

Google Wallet originally launched in September of 2011. Here we are over a year later, and the mobile payment app is still not available to Verizon’s NFC-equipped phones. Even after refuting reports that they were blocking the app, when they actually were blocking the app, it’s still an app that is only available to select unlocked phones and a couple of others on Sprint. Why is that? 

Verizon has continued to argue that they aren’t stopping you from installing the app (which is now true thanks to the FCC), but that the app hasn’t been approved to work with their devices because it’s different than the thousands of other apps in the Google Play store. Their argument, which is laid out in a response to an FCC complaint (pictured below), suggests that since Google Wallet uses the “secure element” on your phone, it needs to go through a separate approval process of theirs, one that Google apparently knows about already. The letter also mentions that Google is free to remove the secure element requirement from the app, and join the likes of PayPal and Square that have approved payments apps. Yeah, because that doesn’t defeat the entire purpose of Wallet.

We aren’t exactly sure what this special “process” is that Verizon is referring to, but if we look at their own Isis Mobile Wallet app, we might have an idea. Isis – the joint venture between T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon – is the first mobile payment system to use NFC-equipped SIM cards that appear to add an additional level of security to NFC payments. Google Wallet doesn’t currently work this way, it only uses the secure NFC chip attached to your phone. If building in NFC SIM support is all Google needs to do, you would think they would have gone that route already. Unless of course, it’s not that straightforward, which it likely isn’t.

At this point, it’s become a bit ridiculous. We all know that Verizon has a competing service that’s on the way. For Google Wallet to have been released over a year ago and still find itself left off of the hundreds of NFC phones that are available, it feels like this is much bigger than Google following a special “process.”

Via:  XDA

Cheers ItsASamsung!

Verizon Responds to FCC Complaint Over Blocking of Google Wallet, Says Google Needs to Change the App is a post from: Droid Life

About an hour ago, Verizon updated the support doc for the DROID RAZR HD 0.7.2 update to include a mention of Isis Mobile Wallet. As was expected, the RAZR HD and MAXX HD were to be “Isis ready” shortly after launch, and this update makes that happen. Nothing else changes in the update, as it is still 6MB.

We should point out that if you are not in Salt Lake City, UT or Austin, TX, that the Isis piece to this update means very little. Those are the only two markets that currently support Isis.

RAZR HD Update 0.7.2 Now Includes Isis Wallet Support Too is a post from: Droid Life

As was announced by Isis PR briefly last week, the first two test markets for their Isis Mobile Wallet application go live today, October 22. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon all have “Isis Ready” handsets available, so if you live in either Salt Lake City, UT or Austin, TX, you will want to stop by a store to receive a new NFC SIM card. After that, you will need to download the Isis app from the Google Play store, before you take off on a shopping spree.

There are a total of 11 devices that are “Isis Ready” today, only one from Verizon – the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. Isis plans to have 20 available by the end of the year, between all carriers.

Update:  Verizon released a statement moments ago, detailing their plans for Isis. In it, they mentioned that the DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD will have Isis support by the end of the week (only in the test markets, of course).

ISIS, a joint venture among Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile, is doing just that. On Monday, Oct. 22, customers in Salt Lake City and Austin will be able to download the ISIS Mobile Wallet from Google Play to the DROID Incredible 4G LTE by HTC, visit stores in Austin and Salt Lake City to get a new SIM card, then add their credit, debit and loyalty cards into the Wallet and begin using it at many retailers in both cities. ISIS Mobile Wallet will be available on the DROID RAZR HD by Motorola and DROID RAZR MAXX HD by Motorola this week.

Still no word on a nationwide rollout of the service. 

Play Store Links:  Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile

Info:  Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile

Isis™ Launches in Austin And Salt Lake City; as many as 20 Isis Ready™ Handsets to be Available by Year End

AUSTIN, TEXAS and SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – October 22, 2012 – Isis™, the mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, today announced the availability of the Isis Mobile Wallet™ in Austin and Salt Lake City. Starting today, consumers can visit their AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon retail location and select from nine Isis Ready™ handsets, with an expected 11 additional handsets coming to market by year end.

“The launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet in Austin and Salt Lake City represents a milestone for both Isis and the mobile commerce industry,” said Ryan Hughes, chief marketing officer, Isis. “With as many as 20 Isis Ready handsets headed to market by year end, we are experiencing an unprecedented level of support for NFC and consumer choice.”

How to Get Started With the Isis Mobile Wallet on October 22:

1. Visit an AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA or Verizon Wireless retail store in Austin or Salt Lake City to receive a secure element SIM and ensure your handset model is Isis Ready
2. Download the Isis Mobile Wallet application from Google Play
3. Load an eligible American Express, Capital One or Chase credit card into the Isis Mobile Wallet or get started with the Isis Cash™ card that comes in every Wallet.
4. Get out and get tapping at any of the hundreds of locations across Austin and Salt Lake City where contactless payments are accepted, a full list of which can be found at www.paywithisis.com.

“The launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet is an important step toward accelerating mobile payments in the United States and maximizing convenience for consumers” said Bill Gajda, head of mobile product, Visa Inc. “Isis’ open approach directly aligns with Visa’s strategy of enabling consumers to make mobile payments with whatever device they choose using the trusted accounts they already have.”

“MasterCard has been working with industry partners like Isis to turn mobile phones into secure payment devices and create better shopping experiences for both consumers and merchants,” said Mung Ki Woo, group executive, mobile, MasterCard Worldwide. “The use of NFC technology is a path to an improved consumer experience, and the launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet – combined with the growing number of NFC-enabled handsets – will help make mobile commerce a reality for millions of consumers.”

“Today’s launch of the Isis Mobile Wallet is a significant achievement in terms of enabling consumer adoption of mobile payments,” said Suzan Kereere, senior vice president and general manager, American Express, Global Network Business.  “Mobile commerce holds the promise of dramatically enhancing consumers’ shopping experience, and American Express’ first priority as a network is to provide choice and flexibility for all industry participants as we work together to influence the speed and growth of mobile NFC payments in the U.S.”

For more information on specific Isis Ready handsets, please visit an AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA or Verizon Wireless retail location in Austin or Salt Lake City.

About Isis

The joint venture is between AT&T Mobility LLC, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless and is based in New York City. The venture is chartered with building Isis™, a national mobile commerce venture that will fundamentally transform how people shop, pay and save. The Isis™ mobile commerce network will be available to all merchants, banks, payment networks and mobile carriers. ISIS is a trademark of JVL Ventures, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries.  Other logos, product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Isis Mobile Wallet Goes Live Today in Austin and Salt Lake City – Devices Available From Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T is a post from: Droid Life

It’s official, Isis Mobile Wallet is going live in its first two test markets (Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX) on October 22. This matches up to the date that our sources gave us last week, along with a detailed list of additional launch details. What Isis would not confirm, is specific device compatibility, carrier details, or how long they plan to test in these couple of markets.

The head of marketing at Isis, Jaymee Johnson, had this to say:

Isis will be launching in Austin and Salt Lake City on Oct. 22. By year end, as many as 20 Isis Ready handsets are expected to be in market.  We look forward to sharing more details on Oct. 22

So, October 22 is the day that we’ll find out all of the dirty details. Can’t wait.

Official: Isis Mobile Wallet Launching in Test Markets on October 22 is a post from: Droid Life

The Isis Mobile Wallet app for T-Mobile is now live on Google Play. Rumors across the web are suggesting that T-Mobile is going to launch the mobile payment service on October 22 in two test markets, the same day that our sources said Verizon plans to. The app going live early is a bit surprising though, especially since T-Mobile and Isis haven’t actually announced that the service will go live on the 22nd. 

For now, the app itself is sort of useless. In order to use Isis, you have to have an NFC-SIM card, a supported device, and shop at a retailer that is “Isis Ready.” For T-Mobile, the supported devices will be the Galaxy S3, Galaxy S2, and Amaze 4G, all of which are NFC-equipped. To see the Isis “ready” phones for all carriers, hit up this link.

It shouldn’t be long now. With the app going live, T-Mobile and Isis will likely make an announcement any day.

Play Link

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Mobileburn

Cheers Nick!

T-Mobile’s Isis Mobile Wallet App Appears on Google Play is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon announced a new update for the DROID Incredible 4G LTE last week, one that would include global roaming, their Remote Diagnostics tool, and support for Isis Mobile Wallet. In a semi-confusing move this morning, they tweaked the changelog for the update so that it no longer includes a mention of Isis.

We reported last week that Isis was set to kick off on October 22 in two test markets and that the Incredible 4G LTE would be the signature launch phone from Verizon for it. This move doesn’t necessarily mean that this phone isn’t going to be the lead device, but maybe that Verizon doesn’t want the entire country of Inc 4G owners asking about Isis when only Austin, TX and Salt Lake City, UT owners will be able to use the mobile payment service.

No matter what, this shouldn’t be cause for  concern. Isis will rollout nationwide before we know it, and our wallets will soon be replaced by phones. Assuming they are accepted into the program, that is.

Verizon Tweaks Changelog for Incredible 4G 2.17.605.2 Update, Removes Isis Support Section is a post from: Droid Life

Isis Mobile Wallet, the mobile payment solution created by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, will launch in its first test markets on October 22, according to sources of ours. As previously announced by Isis, those markets are Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX. Isis, as many of you know, is a similar service to Google Wallet, in that it aims to turn your smartphone into a virtual wallet, giving you a place to store credit cards, loyalty cards, and find special offers. Below, we have additional details you may not have heard, but will likely see soon when the service goes live. 

• Virtual Cards:  As expected, Isis will hold virtual versions of credit cards, an Isis Cash Card (prepaid card), store loyalty cards, and a section for special offers and promotions.
• Bonus Cash:  When you first activate Isis, there will be a $10 bonus card for you to use. If you want even more cash, you can upgrade the Isis Cash Card to “reloadable” status which will land you an additional $15.
• Security:  If your phone is lost or stolen, you can call Verizon and they will freeze Isis from working.
• Merchants:  Isis will work at merchant locations that use Visa PayWave, MasterCard Paypass, Discover Zip, American Express and Google Wallet.
• NFC-SIM Cards:  From what we have been told, Verizon will use new NFC-SIM cards on their Isis approved devices. We aren’t sure why they aren’t satisfied with simply using the on-board NFC chip, but this likely creates an additional level of security. It’s also a level of security that they can have intense control over, I would assume.
• Devices:  The official “Isis ready” device is the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. As you will recall from this morning, the device is set to receive an update to make it Isis ready. Additional devices will be made available at a later time, but you should note that not all NFC phones can support Isis. If you live in a trial market and purchase an Incredible 4G LTE on or after October 22 (launch day), it will be activated with a new NFC-SIM card. If you already own an Incredible 4G LTE and live in a test market, you will be able to obtain an NFC-SIM to replace your current SIM.
• Incredible 4G Purchase + $50 in Cash:  From October 22 to November 20, you can buy an Incredible 4G LTE and receive a $50 Visa Pre-Paid card. From what we understand, you will have to activate Isis and submit a rebate form in order to get the card.

Again, October 22 is launch day for the two test markets. Isis and their partners have not released details for a nationwide rollout. It could be months for all we know.

What are your thoughts on not all NFC devices being “Isis ready”?

Isis Mobile Wallet Launch Details – NFC SIM Cards, Free Cash, and Limited Device Support is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon has approved the first update for the DROID Incredible 4G LTE as build 2.17.605.2. The update will introduce a couple of major items – global roaming across 220 countries and support for Isis Mobile Wallet. It will also include Verizon’s Remote Diagnostics tool, improved LTE and WiFi connectivity, and support for Tango. The big players, again, are the global goodness and Isis readiness. 

With Isis set to kick off in its first test markets any day, we had actually heard that this device was going to take the lead. We’ll have more details on this later. Also, HTC and the Incredible line have been known as global roaming devices, so we’ll happily welcome in its new global capabilities.

Once these support docs go live, we tend to see the update in a matter of days. Let us know if you see it!

The update is 154MB in size.

More info.

DROID Incredible 4G to Receive First Update – Includes Global Roaming, Support for Isis, and More is a post from: Droid Life

Isis, the NFC mobile payment system created by Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, will not launch this summer and has been delayed. The payment system was initially supposed to arrive in testing markets – Salt Lake City and Austin – this month, but because they haven’t checked everything off of their “punch list,” we will have to wait longer.

Their marketing head, Ryan Hughes, said that their focus has been on making sure that when they launch, that they “do it properly and do it right.” He wouldn’t provide a reason for the delay, but did mention that they were not experiencing any major issues.

He also mentioned that he doesn’t believe that Isis will struggle without the new iPhone 5. While that may be true to a point, it certainly would have been much more highly adopted had Apple decided to toss an NFC chip in their newest smartphone.

Additional “market momentum news” is going to come in October. Hopefully we have good news then.

Via:  CNET

Isis Mobile Payment System Delayed, Update on Progress Coming in October is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, T-Mobile announced that a new update for the Galaxy S2 would include support for Isis, the mobile wallet app that they have teamed with AT&T and Verizon to create. For months, Isis news had cooled, but today is apparently the day for it all to come out. Bloomberg is reporting that Isis’ CEO has said that they are planning for a launch in their first markets, Austin, TX and Salt Lake City, next month. This is technically a delay, but the slow rollout has to do with a change in approach from having carriers process payments to putting that side of the business on the credit card companies. 

In related news, we have a list of devices on each carrier that MasterCard has given Isis approval to. The list isn’t extensive, but then again, NFC equipped phones haven’t exactly started flooding the market yet as mobile payment systems like this have taken their sweet time. For Verizon, we get the Incredible 4G and Galaxy S3. The Galaxy Nexus is not listed. Soooooo, if Verizon won’t allow Google Wallet to work on it and MasterCard won’t give it Isis approval, where does that leave us?

Verizon:

• DROID Incredible 4G LTE
• Samsung Galaxy S3

AT&T:

• Samsung Galaxy S3
• HTC One X

T-Mobile:

• HTC Amaze 4G
• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy S2

Now all we need is for this trial period in SLC and Austin to take place so that the rest of the country can get in on the fun.

Via:  MasterCard | Bloomberg | NFC Phones

Here are the Isis Approved Devices From Each Carrier, Service Launching in September is a post from: Droid Life

Is Isis, the mobile payment joint venture between Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, finally ready for prime time? According to a changelog for a new software update that is headed to T-Mobile’s Galaxy S2, it may very well be. For those not familiar, Isis is an NFC-based mobile payment system that 3 of the 4 major U.S. wireless carriers (Sprint excluded) partnered up to create. It’s essentially the reason that Google Wallet won’t work on any of your phones. 

In this changelog for the Galaxy S2, we see an improvement listed as “ISIS/NFC update.” This could mean a couple of things – that the app will be included in the update or that T-Mobile is simply prepping the phone to be able to use the Isis app. Either way, this is move we should all be excited to see.

The last we heard, Isis was still in or about to go into testing in Austin, TX and Salt Lake City, UT. The time frame for those markets to have all of the fun, was “summer.”

Ready for Isis? Or should I phrase that, “Are you ready to finally take advantage of that NFC chip and ditch your wallet?”

Via:  T-Mobile | Android Police

T-Mobile’s Galaxy S2 the First to Receive ISIS NFC Mobile Payment App? is a post from: Droid Life

Ready for mobile payment systems to take off and become a major part of your life? If today’s newly formed Mobile Payments Committee can come together and establish policy and develop a business strategy for the industry, you should start to prepare yourselves for them to be. According to a report out of VentureBeat,  the four major U.S. carriers – Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T – have joined together, along with Google, Isis, Paypal, Verifone, and Intuit, to create the previously mentioned MPC.

This doesn’t mean for a second that Google Wallet is all of a sudden going to be available on all carriers, but it does mean that key players in the industry are starting to realize that they can’t do this alone. With the help of each other, they can establish business relationships that will drive the mobile payment industry forward, work with policy makers to set up industry standards, and most importantly, teach consumers about the benefits of paying with phones.

I just hope this committee actually does something, unlike the Android Alliance. Mobile payments have been around for far too long to not have become mainstream yet. Let’s do it, MPC.

Via:  VentureBeat | The Verge

Cheers tjrulz!

Big Four U.S. Carriers Along With Google and Isis Form Mobile Payments Committee is a post from: Droid Life

Reports show that Sprint is looking to create their very own mobile payments system for customers, so what is the future of Google Wallet? According to sources, Sprint is reaching out to banks and other service providers to create a service to equal that of ISIS. At this time, Sprint is the only carrier to pre-load Wallet on their devices, but Google seems to continually work and build on the service, as if they have other plans. 

According to this report, with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile committed to ISIS, Google is looking to put more emphasis on the “cloud” side of Wallet and will try to bring more deals to customers. More than likely, Google will take their time at Google I/O to show off some new Wallet ideas to developers.

Do you think that Wallet 2.0 will succeed when ISIS arrives and if Sprint creates their own mobile payment system? Frankly, we think it’s time Google lays down some law and forces Wallet to be supported across multiple carriers.

Via: The Verge

Google Reportedly Working on Wallet 2.0, But Who Will be Able to Use It? is a post from: Droid Life