4 ms·

Out of curiosity, why did he think Apple had far superior payment system? I personally think Apple's payment gateways no better than Amazon Checkout or Google C

by dm8 13y ago

Out of curiosity, why did he think Apple had far superior payment system? I personally think Apple's payment gateways no better than Amazon Checkout or Google Checkout experience.

fleitz 13y ago
On an iOS device they already have your payment details due to the inability to use the device with out providing a credit card. 9/10 times the user is already signed in to that AppStore/iTunes account and thus just needs to enter their password. Thus when buying on iOS it's always easier to use Apple's system because you're already half signed-in and they already have your credit card. But yes, if you re-enter your credit card details then they are pretty much the same except for having to re-enter your details.
- Oletros 13y ago
  Well, you don't need to reenter your payment details if you want to buy an Amazon book or a Google book. They also already have them
  - fleitz 13y ago
    Yes, if Apple required you to enter payment details for Amazon and Google, and remember your Amazon/Google accounts to use an iOS device, then it would be the same. But since they don't it isn't. Have you ever thought that Android in app purchases are lower because they allow developers to use Paypal to buy stuff, and don't require a credit card to use the device?
    - Oletros 13y ago
      Wait, why Apple has to allow enter payment details? The app (Kindle, GMail, etc) have your account so it has your payment details
nickconfer 13y ago
Three reasons. 1) Apple has more active credit cards than Amazon. 2) If someone were to purchase a book on an iOS device it is more likely they have an active credit card on their account than an Amazon account with an active credit card. 3) One payment system is easier for customers to understand and trust. Steve's wording here may have indicated better technology in his mind, but I doubt that is true, given amazons incredible focus on taking credit card payments accurately and quickly. Reasonably though the reasons outlined above would be good reasons it was better overall, even if it really wasn't consumer friendly in the end because of the lock-in.
- MatthewPhillips 13y ago
  #1 #2 state the same thing, and although it may be true, I can't think of any way this makes the payment system "far superior". Is Amazon something you only use once and it's a hassle to have to enter in your credit card? #3 is not something anyone believes, even you. I'd counter with iTunes hysterically bad receipt notifications. Typically you get a receipt between 3 days to 2 weeks after you buy something. Every time I receive an iTunes receipt I have to strain to remember way back when I bought the thing the receipt is for.
  - wavefunction 13y ago
    iTunes is a horrible store front, so I had to vote you up. Maybe it was acceptable for what was available when it launched but it's coming up on 10 years later and basic features that would aid discovery are still missing.
- etler 13y ago
  Amazon is huge. Do you have anything backing your first claim? I wouldn't feel comfortable claiming either side has more cards without a source.
  - fleitz 13y ago
    http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/apples-stash-of-credit-card-numbers-is-its-secret-weapon/?_r=0 http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/apples-stash-of-cre...
etler 13y ago
I would argue that Amazon and Google are better because I can use their payment system on things other than my phone as well. Whenever I'm on a new site that's selling something, I'm very relieved when I see the amazon or google checkout logo. Other than having to sign up once (which there's a good chance you already have if you've ever bought anything on amazon, and google wallet is spreading more), I don't see how apple's system is better at all, let alone "far superior".
gte910h 13y ago
At the time of writing, google checkout worked in like 8 countries, and had tons of issues

by dm8 13y ago

Out of curiosity, why did he think Apple had far superior payment system? I personally think Apple's payment gateways no better than Amazon Checkout or Google Checkout experience.

fleitz 13y ago

On an iOS device they already have your payment details due to the inability to use the device with out providing a credit card. 9/10 times the user is already signed in to that AppStore/iTunes account and thus just needs to enter their password. Thus when buying on iOS it's always easier to use Apple's system because you're already half signed-in and they already have your credit card. But yes, if you re-enter your credit card details then they are pretty much the same except for having to re-enter your details.

Oletros 13y ago
Well, you don't need to reenter your payment details if you want to buy an Amazon book or a Google book. They also already have them
- fleitz 13y ago
  Yes, if Apple required you to enter payment details for Amazon and Google, and remember your Amazon/Google accounts to use an iOS device, then it would be the same. But since they don't it isn't. Have you ever thought that Android in app purchases are lower because they allow developers to use Paypal to buy stuff, and don't require a credit card to use the device?
  - Oletros 13y ago
    Wait, why Apple has to allow enter payment details? The app (Kindle, GMail, etc) have your account so it has your payment details

nickconfer 13y ago

Three reasons. 1) Apple has more active credit cards than Amazon. 2) If someone were to purchase a book on an iOS device it is more likely they have an active credit card on their account than an Amazon account with an active credit card. 3) One payment system is easier for customers to understand and trust. Steve's wording here may have indicated better technology in his mind, but I doubt that is true, given amazons incredible focus on taking credit card payments accurately and quickly. Reasonably though the reasons outlined above would be good reasons it was better overall, even if it really wasn't consumer friendly in the end because of the lock-in.

MatthewPhillips 13y ago
#1 #2 state the same thing, and although it may be true, I can't think of any way this makes the payment system "far superior". Is Amazon something you only use once and it's a hassle to have to enter in your credit card? #3 is not something anyone believes, even you. I'd counter with iTunes hysterically bad receipt notifications. Typically you get a receipt between 3 days to 2 weeks after you buy something. Every time I receive an iTunes receipt I have to strain to remember way back when I bought the thing the receipt is for.
- wavefunction 13y ago
  iTunes is a horrible store front, so I had to vote you up. Maybe it was acceptable for what was available when it launched but it's coming up on 10 years later and basic features that would aid discovery are still missing.
etler 13y ago
Amazon is huge. Do you have anything backing your first claim? I wouldn't feel comfortable claiming either side has more cards without a source.
- fleitz 13y ago
  http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/apples-stash-of-credit-card-numbers-is-its-secret-weapon/?_r=0 http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/apples-stash-of-cre...

etler 13y ago

I would argue that Amazon and Google are better because I can use their payment system on things other than my phone as well. Whenever I'm on a new site that's selling something, I'm very relieved when I see the amazon or google checkout logo. Other than having to sign up once (which there's a good chance you already have if you've ever bought anything on amazon, and google wallet is spreading more), I don't see how apple's system is better at all, let alone "far superior".

gte910h 13y ago

At the time of writing, google checkout worked in like 8 countries, and had tons of issues