The Poynt Smart Terminal is like a one-size-fits-all payments system. It has an NFC antenna, a magnetic swipe reader, a Bluetooth antenna, a QR code reader, a printer for receipts, and even an Android tablet to boot. So not matter how the future of payments pans out, you’ll be able to get your dang cup of coffee.
Developed by ex-Google Wallet chief Osama Bedier, the Poynt terminal is available for pre-order for $US300 (plus tax and shipping). It’s positioned for retailers who are uneasy with the many different payment options that are cropping up. Besides compatibility with basically every payment option that’s being used or considered, the terminal’s built-in quad-core Android tablet — It’s very weird-looking hardware, huh? — will allow merchants to integrate the payment systems with all manner of inventory and accounting solutions. Additionally, Poynt is a platform, so developers will be able to adapt their applications to the tool.
Compared to the $US100 Square Stand you’ve probably seen at coffee shops and art fairs, Poynt certainly feels expensive. But considering the high cost of comprehensive point-of-sale systems, merchants are getting a lot for the money here. And as new technologies emerge — from Apple Pay to Beacon — these types of cross-compatible terminals might become increasingly necessary. Because nothing’s worse than that old feeling of getting to the register and realising the store won’t take your card. [Poynt via The Verge]