PayPal Mobile

Wow.. a lot of news came through over the weekend which resulted in a busier than usual Monday. For everything that we couldn’t get through we’ve placed here — in the Android Overload. This is where you can come and read up on all the handpicked Android/Google/mobile related stories that just didn’t make the cut but still deserve to be read. So have a look around and if you see anything you like, drop us a comment. Read More

It’s no secret that everyone’s talking about NFC, and rightfully so. It’s a really interesting technology that could be one of the ways people will pay and get paid, but that’s all it is – a technology. As we just showed at the PayPal shopping showcase in New York the future of shopping is much more than just NFC. At PayPal, we’ve been working with NFC for some time and we realized that one of the most immediate ways it could be used was to make it easier for friends to just tap their phones together to pay each other. We have had this facility using Bump for many months but using NFC is even easier (for those with NFC enabled phones). This summer we announced plans to unveil our own peer-to-peer (P2P) NFC solution and today I’m happy to report that those capabilities are now live with the 3.0 release of the PayPal Android app, which you can download now from the Android Market. In order to use the new NFC feature you and a friend will each need any NFC-enabled Android phone and the PayPal app with the Request Money widget installed. Requesting money is a simple process: just enter an amount, and then tap phones. Once your friend receives the request they simply enter their password to send money. For the techies among you, we use NFC P2P mode. This means the PayPal app can work with the dozens of NFC enabled phones out there today, not just the Samsung Nexus S. Also, we maintain our industry leading security because financial information (your digital wallet) is stored in the cloud. As with every app update, we always look to improve performance and reliability, add new features and respond to customer requests. With this new release of our Android app, we’ve redesigned the landing screen, simplified the process for sending money, and added some nifty features like auto-complete from your address book. We’ve also got some great improvements for our international customers in Europe plus PayPal customers in Brazil can now take advantage of all the features we offer there as well. Each one of our engineers, quality testers, designers and writers take ownership and pride in what they do. Without a doubt, the themes for this latest release are stability, performance, and ease of use, all of which are critical to the customer experience. Some of these you Read More

Take care of your money-matters on the go with the PayPal app. This official PayPal app allows you to acces your vital information any time, anywhere. You can check your account balance, spending history, and the like. Sending money to your friend’s PayPal accounts for whatever reason is a cinch. A very cool feature is the ability to snap a picture of a check and have that amount automatically added to your PayPal account, though this feature is glitchy. The app is great when it works, but it’s riddled with bugs and issues. There are plenty of account related errors that can keep you offline, uploads that fail, and more. Still, it’s great for your basic PayPal needs, on the go. Manage your account anywhere with the PayPal app on your tablet device. Read More

Oft nachgefragt: ein Beitrags-Update über meine ‘Homescreens‘. Seit März 2011, als die letzte Aktualisierung dieser Artikel-Serie erfolgte, hat sich die eine oder andere App verschoben, geändert und aussortiert. Der derzeit aktuellen Stand ist an dieser Stelle festgehalten. Vielleicht finden an diesem Montag ja speziell frische 4S-Käufer, die einen ersten Grundbedarf an Software benötigen, die eine oder andere Anregung. Ich persönlich ziehe jede individuelle Empfehlungen allen generischen ‘Hitlisten’ vor. Genau deshalb soll mein privater Einblick auch nicht alleine bleiben: Wer Screenshots oder Tipps von seinen verwendeten Apps in den Kommentaren kundtun möchte, ist dazu herzlich eingeladen. Zwei Anmerkungen noch: Die zwei benutzten Hintergrundbilder gibt es hier und hier. Auf meinem Standby-Screen befinden sich dieses und dieses Bild. Außerdem führe ich zwei Ordner mit ‘Review’-Software, die ich mir für dieses Blog noch genauer anschauen möchte. Da diese Programme (noch) keine Empfehlungen sind, verbleiben sie für diesen Artikel ohne Erwähnung. Außerdem verstecken sich in den iPhone-Ordnern: Delivery Status touch (3.99 €); Dropbox (kostenlos); eBay (kostenlos); iCab Mobile (1.59 €); Skype (kostenlos); WeatherPro (2.99 €); Tumblr (kostenlos); Verbs (0.79 €); WhatsApp (kostenlos); PayPal (kostenlos); Analytics Pro (4.99 €); Boxcar (kostenlos); Articles (2.39 €); Instapaper (3.99 €); Facebook (kostenlos); Kicktipp (kostenlos); Flickit Pro (3.99 €); 360 Panorama (0.79 €); Lab (0.79 €); Halftone (0.79 €); Instagram (kostenlos); Finnish English (2.39 €); Evernote (kostenlos); Reeder (2.39 €); CrashPlan (kostenlos); Meine Freunde suchen (kostenlos); Shazam (kostenlos); Synonymwörterbuch (19.99 €); iSSH (7.99 €); Handoff (1.59 €); Screens (15.99 €); Google+ (kostenlos) und AirPort Dienstprogramm (kostenlos). Außerdem verstecken sich in den Ordnern: Evernote (kostenlos); iOutBank (9.99 €); Pages (7.99 €); iSSH (7.99 €); Dropbox (kostenlos); iMovie (3.99 €); Skype (kostenlos); Numbers (7.99 €); Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery (3.99 €); Bumpy Road (2.39 €); Cut the Rope (1.59 €); Emberwind HD (1.59 €); Groove Coaster (2.39 €); The Last Rocket (2.39 €); Contre Jour HD (2.39 €); ShadowGun (3.99 €); Comic Zeal (5.99 €); Flipboard (kostenlos); Kindle (kostenlos); Tagesschau (kostenlos); Wired (2.99 €); Zeit Online (kostenlos); Big Picture (2.39 €); Color Splash (1.59 €); Instagallery (1.59 €); Instamap (1.59 €); PhotoSync (1.59 €); Remote (kostenlos); Boxee (kostenlos); iCab Mobile (1.59 €); Simplenote (kostenlos); Air Display (7.99 €) und PDF Expert (7.99 €). * Alle Affiliate-Links (Danke!) führen direkt in den App Store. Read More

Android Apps Alert is typically about new apps making their way into the Android Market. But many of the big names in Android must have wanted to grab our attention this week because we saw major updates. In fact, there were so many things changing that we were forced to do a mini Alert episode in the mix of our regular app reviews. Heck, even the place where you get apps –  the Android Market – was refreshed. Fret not, folks. We’ve still got some recommendation for new or under-the-radar Android apps to check out. That’s still the lifeblood of our weekly recap, so let’s take a look at a few things we recommend testing. Craigslist is great if you want to search through dozens of sections and eBay is great if you want to search the whole world. But if you just want a marketplace for items and sellers in your direct area, Zaarly is a market worth browsing. Zaarly lists products and services nearby for a set price and limited amount of time. So if someone wants to sell a used car for $1,900, Zaarly users can send a message to the seller to broker a deal. The same can be done for event tickets (hey, scalpers!), gadgets, furniture, and even massages. Zaarly can search for a particular item in an area (within driving distance) or browse for goods and services based on expiration of listing or price. Users can also create listings to find potential buyers for their possessions or services. The app can be a useful way of buying something you may not know you wanted or selling something you no longer need. However, like all online platforms or activities that require exchanges, be cautious and protect yourself. I know, I know: you’re ticked off that Netflix is hiking its price so much that you’re fully-prepared to cancel your membership in September when the changes go into effect. But until then – or if you aren’t one of the picket sign wielders – keep track of your Netflix queue with this clever app. Netflix Guide HD is a Honeycomb-optimized app that searches both the Instant Streaming and DVD libraries. The Guide has lists for movie genres, favorites from friends, saved searches, and recommendations based on your previous viewing history. Users can then add those videos directly to their Instant or disc queues, and change the order or Read More

Be careful your PayPal app doesn't fall into the wrong hands, as update 3.4 now displays previous transactions, easily jumpable from the new homepage screen. [iTunes via SlashGear] Read More

For those of you who rely on PayPal, especially on the iPhone, you’ll be glad to know that the mobile app for the iOS smartphone has been updated. PayPal has been listening to customer feedback, and brings the following updates to the mobile app: Perhaps the biggest thing for PayPal for iPhone users is the ability to check history. I know that when I’m checking any accounts online or on my phone, I want to see what’s going on and where money came from, and where it went. Mobile commerce is an exponentially growing business, and staying relevant and keeping mobile apps updated, like PayPal just did for the iPhone, is a good way to keep happy and satisfied with the service. Check out the release below, and also check out the app in the iTunes App Store. The latest version of the PayPal Mobile app for iPhone is available for download today.  It features some great enhancements based on feedback straight from our users and general fixes for an even smoother experience.  Here are the highlights: Everyone says that they use customer feedback to inform the evolution of their products, but for us, that’s not just lip service. We conduct intense usability research in order to bring you the best PayPal Mobile experience possible. Since the debut of the PayPal iPhone App three years ago – the very first day iTunes Apple app store opened for business! –  we’ve been listening to our customers and doing everything we can to improve and expand our offerings. Our latest research findings indicated that our customers wanted easier access to their History to increase efficiency on the go.  We also learned that ALL of the App’s great features needed to be  right up front, where they’re easy to find.  We’ve taken this feedback to heart and we think you’ll notice – and really like! – the adjustments we made. Get the updated app from iTunes now, and feel free to check out www.PayPal.com/mobile for more information. Do you already use the PayPal Mobile iPhone app?  Tell us what we can do to improve! –Jeff Loman, Senior Product Manager, PayPal Mobile Marc has been a mobile fanatic for the better part of a decade and has had more devices pass through his hands than he would care to count. Originally from Los Angeles and briefly in San Francisco, Marc now lives in Brooklyn where, Read More

Every so often, Android’s Market is graced with a premier app once reserved for iPhone users. Brands like Netflix often take longer to release Android versions due to the separate requirements for Google’s mobile OS, but when the long-awaited apps finally hit the Android Market, it’s always a good sign. Also moving to validate Android’s marketplace is ESPN, with a live-streaming app to keep up with sports news and game updates. Netflix has finally made its way to the Android Market, representing a defining move for the company and Google’s mobile marketplace. With accessibility being Netflix’s competitive advantage, an established presence on Android is a necessary move, albeit not a swift one. Launched late last week, the Netflix app is initially limited to a handful of Android devices, including the HTC Incredible and Evo 4G, as well as the Nexus One and Nexus S, all requiring Android 2.2 or higher. Access your movie queue, resume films where you left off, and generally enjoy the app’s vast catalog of movies and TV shows whenever, and wherever you want. WatchESPN delivers live streaming access to events and programs, letting you take the familiar news desk with you on the go. From the NBA Playoffs to The Masters, you’ll get up-to-the-minute news, highlights and analysis with this newly released app. Your favorite shows, including SportsCenter, PTI, SportsNation and Mike & Mike are streamed through this app as well. Navigate to news about your favorite team, staying abreast of the updates that matter to you. As with many cable-gone-mobile channels, ESPN is limited to Bright House and Time Warner customers, though Verizon FIOS and High Speed Internet users can access the full content of this app as well. You’ll also need Adobe AIR to run WatchESPN -- the restrictions are high, but the end-result is worth it. Next Issue brings Android tablet users a collection of magazines, which can be purchased as individual issues or periodical subscriptions. The magazine titles are a short stack in this preview app, but Android users are hopeful for more publications to catch on to the tablet craze. Unfortunately Next Issue is only available for Samsung Galaxy tablets, offered through Verizon’s Vcast app store. But Next Issue’s preview launch is significant because it looks to bring Android tablets on par with the iPad, attracting publishers to the digital forefront. Until Next Issue extends its Android device support list, try Issuu Read More

The official PayPal Android app now lets users add funds to their online money account by snapping a picture of a check. The feature is the latest in mobile banking apps that offer remote check deposits. Read More

Greg Kumparak is the Mobile Editor at Techcrunch. Greg has been writing for the TechCrunch network since May of 2008. Greg was born just outside of San Jose, and now lives in the East Bay of California. → Learn More Back in October of last year, PayPal tucked a fancy new trick into their iPhone app: Photo-based Check Depositing (or, as they call it, “Mobile Check Capture”.) You know the idea: snap a picture of a check’s front and back, the money automagically appears in your account, and you’ve saved yourself a trip to the ATM (and, more importantly, avoided going out into that nasty, nasty sunlight.) Since this feature was rolled out, we’re told they’ve been seeing right around a million bucks per month come in via this route — and yet, the iPhone app has thus far been the only version to get it. That ends today, it seems. Later this morning, PayPal will be announcing and releasing a new version of their Android app, complete with Mobile Check Capture. Oh, and for all the folks out there who can just never seem to find enough on-device storage space: this latest build also supports “Move To SD Card”. Take that, having-to-go-outside! Sponsored Ads Sponsored Ads Sponsored Ads Read More