Android payment terminals are trending – but what’s driving that trend? In the continually changing payments space, leading payment technology companies are finding that Android payment terminals can best meet the needs of their partners, merchants, and consumers.
An Android payment terminal is a device with an Android-based operating system (OS). It gives developers an open, flexible option to develop unlike proprietary platforms such as iOS or Windows. Furthermore, open Linux platforms may not have the support behind them for commercial applications.
Why Android Payment Terminal Adoption Is Increasing
Consider these five reasons Android payment terminal implementations are increasing.
- Ease of Development
The Android OS makes development easier than when designing a terminal with proprietary systems. With Android, developers can innovate and create hardware and software that works with the OS while still adhering to all Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards and regulations. Android payment terminals are easier to customize and scale, giving developers a path to providing solutions that align perfectly with a merchant’s operation. Additionally, many developers have created apps for Android OS, making it easier to build a team with the expertise you need.
- Familiarity and Usability
With 2.5 billion Android users worldwide – the most popular OS in the world – the Android user interface (UI) is familiar to merchants’ employees and new hires. In markets where employee turnover is common, an easy-to-learn system is key to fast, efficient training and helping new hires work independently. The Android UI makes it easy for employees to catch on quickly.
- Flexibility
Android’s flexibility enables payment technology companies to accomplish more. For example, Android payment terminals can run business applications and integrate with third-party solutions, such as loyalty programs software, buy now, pay later (BNLP), or cryptocurrency payments. Android devices also provide a seamless gateway to cloud based applications and services. Merchants can also choose Android smart terminal solutions that combine a portable payment solution with point of sale features for seamless checkout anywhere in the store. Of course, Android payment terminals also enable consumers to pay with EMV chip cards, contactless cards, mobile wallets, and other in-demand payment methods.
- Security
While Android payment terminals are easy to develop and flexible, they’re also highly secure. The Android OS is highly secure, built with multilayered security, including security controls that decrease the burden on developers. And the finished product provides merchants and consumers with a reliable device that keeps payment data secure. As the market and use cases continue to evolve, there is still a need for PCI certified devices in retail and restaurant. The Android OS helps to accelerate that compliance through inherent security capabilities.
- Continual improvement
Android is always updating features and functions, empowering developers to enhance customer interactions with speed, efficiency, and security – all keys to the experiences that consumers want. A line of Android payment terminals can keep wowing users with new capabilities. Android payment terminal developers can create innovative tools, then lock them down to protect payment and consumer data.
It's All About Experience
The COVID-19 pandemic drove and accelerated changes in customer behaviors. Consumers expect technology to do more, from accommodating them curbside, taking payments anywhere throughout the store, and allowing them to use their preferred payment method, including alternative payments.
Android payment terminals can deliver customer-pleasing, loyalty-building experiences that make merchants more competitive. Developers have more freedom to innovate and create secure payment solutions that deliver the tools that merchants need to create exceptional customer experiences and make progress toward their business goals.
And that’s a big deal.
Contact us to learn more about our Android payments solutions designed for the new world of commerce.
