ROAM Data develops device agnostic mobile NFC and magnetic card reader

The industry’s first device agnostic NFC and magnetic stripe card reader

The solution, dubbed NFC Swipe, is, according to ROAM Data, the industry’s first device agnostic card reader equipped with NFC and magnetic stripe combined (view press release). Due for official launch mid-year, the solution connects with smartphones, tablets and PCs via the audio jack and turns them into mobile POS devices. ROAM Data claims its technology will advance the adoption of NFC and contactless technology whilst simultaneously supporting existing mag stripe technology.

NFC Swipe features end-to-end encryption and is compliant with Visa payWave and MasterCard PayPass regulations. The reader functions in conjunction with ROAM’s card acceptance application, ROAMpay X, and the applications of its white label partners. Third parties will also be able to integrate an API into their own applications to leverage the reader.

The launch follows an investment in the company last month from Ingenico which has sped up the company’s R&D and product commercialisation plans. “The additional capital is accelerating our growth plans and helping us speed up our innovations and product roadmap,” said ROAM Data CEO Will Graylin. “Beyond our planned launch of NFC-Swipe in mid-year, we plan to release an EMV Swipe for contact chip cards with magnetic stripe reader in the same package, as well as other turn-key virtual mobile commerce solutions for our distribution partners such as Mobile Checkout, Mobile Marketing and Mobile Wallet that they can offer their merchants.”  

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