Ford’s Mobile Wallet TipToes Into IoT Payments

When Ford rolled out its mobile wallet this month, it took to heart the concept of contextual payments, focusing on paying for parking from within the vehicle as well as leasing alternative vehicles. But it’s view of mobile was using a smartphone, rather than making the payments automobile-embedded. Although iPhones may weigh much less than two tons, few Apple Pay transactions will work at 80 MPH.

“FordPass, part of Ford’s transformation into an auto and mobility company, aims to do for car owners what iTunes did for music fans,” Ford said. “Launching in April, FordPass reimagines the relationship between automaker and consumer. Membership is free—whether you own a Ford vehicle or not—by registering online.” *Sigh* It’s not a good sign for business when Visa talks about integrating payments in cars and Ford thinks it can accomplish anything with a mobile app on someone else’s hardware. It owns the cars and that’s where its customers are. Why not place the payments apparatus right there in the car’s dashboard, in a place where rivals can’t reach?

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