Paypal to split checks and collect money

PayPal has launched an updated version of its new Send Money application for iPhone.

Version 2.0 of the PayPal Send Money app allows PayPal and iPhone users to access to their money securely, including bump money transfers, split check and collect money.

With bump users can put two iPhones together, and funds are transferred between their PayPal accounts. The split check feature allows users to divide and reimburse each other for the cost of a meal, including a tip, for up to 20 people. Collect money lets users request money from multiple people for a joint gift, concert tickets, and more. Users can send gifts of money on the spot for birthdays, anniversaries or any moment of impulsive generosity.


Smartphone sales have surpassed 172.4 million units in 2009*, and consumers worldwide are expected to spend $119 billion** by 2015 via mobile phones. PayPal mobile transactions have increased almost six-fold, from $25 million in 2008 to $141 million in 2009.

“Today, you leave the house with three critical things: your phone, your wallet and your keys,” said Frerk-Malte Feller, MD of PayPal Australia.

“PayPal Send Money lets consumers access their wallets through their phones. Because with PayPal, the wallet lives in the cloud – the mobile phone is just one device customers can use to access it.”

Send Money users can set reminders for recurring payments, donate money to, and manage their PayPal accounts from the iPhone. For international transactions, it also features a global currency calculator and 15 languages. A PIN or password is required for every transaction to prevent unauthorised use.

The application is available to download free at the Apple iTunes store.

Pizza Hut on the go

Pizza Hut has launched an Australian iPhone app to enable mobile ordering of products.

The app features an augmented reality function or ‘GPS Store Finder’, giving iPhone 3Gs users with the ability to find their nearest Pizza Hut store. Users can hold up their iPhone 3Gs, the camera opens and the screen shows what is in front of the user, as well as small tabs highlighting the direction and distance of Pizza Hut locations nearby.


All iPhone users will have fun with the exclusive racing game – a great way to be entertained while waiting for their orders to be delivered.

The app gives customers the ability to order a selection of food including pizza, tuscani pasta, sides, and drinks. Orders can be saved as an ‘ifav’, making it quicker to order in the future.

Pizza Hut’s iPhone app has been specially created for the local market and is based on the popular US version.

The app can be viewed at http://www.pizzahut.com.au/iphone and downloaded from the iTunes store.

Pizza Hut will also launch a new ordering service for a variety of other 3G mobile phones in the near future.

To see a demonstration of the app, go to www.pizzahut.com.au/iphone.

From Inside Retailing March 17

Google opens online store

Google will sell the online services of other business software makers in an effort to fill its own product gaps and persuade more companies to rely on applications piped over the Internet.

The online store unveiled late on Tuesday in the US marks another step in Google's crusade to convert the world to "cloud computing".

The term refers to applications that run in Web browsers instead of individual hard drives.


More than 50 software makers have agreed to sell their Internet programs through Google, which will keep 20 per cent of the sales. The prices are expected to range from $US50 ($A54.73) to several hundred dollars per user annually.

Intuit and Concur Technologies are among the best-known software makers in Google's store.

From Insider Retailing 11/03/2010