Top News In Payments: Mastercard Added To Marco Polo Network; Apple Gains Watch Patents

Today in the payments news roundup, Mastercard announced it has joined the Marco Polo Network. Also, Apple has gained three separate patents related to the Apple Watch. And Amazon is testing out a new payment system that uses handprints for checkout instead of a card or an app.

Apple Patents Biometric Watch Band

Apple has gained three separate patents related to the Apple Watch, which would allow for biometric identification, lighted indicators and automatic tightening of the band. A biometric sensor would take an infrared “picture” of a person’s wrist and use the identifying characteristics as an unlocking device.

Investors Sour on Uber, Lyft

Lyft and Uber shares hit their lowest levels ever on Tuesday (Sept. 3). Lyft was down 7.2 percent to $45.42, while it had a previous low of $48.15 on May 13. Uber, on the other hand, closed down 5.7 percent to $30.70, while it had a previous low of $32.57 on Aug. 30.

Mastercard Joins Marco Polo Global Trade Finance Network

Mastercard announced it has joined the Marco Polo Network. The network — along with its more than 25 member banks — seeks to unlock a potential $1.5 trillion global trade finance opportunity.

Australia Gets Taste of Digital Food Delivery With DoorDash

DoorDash is moving beyond North America and is now accepting orders in Melbourne, Australia, taking on Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Menulog. Australia is the world’s 14th biggest economy, and Melbourne is the country’s second-largest city with 4.5 million people.

Amazon Trials Hand Recognition Payment Method at Whole Foods

Amazon is experimenting with a new payment system that uses handprints for checkout instead of an app or a card. The technology will reportedly scan human hands to ring up purchases.

How TD Bank Uses Voiceprints to Personalize — and Secure — Call Center Interactions

Businesses have to make sure they are offering customer service experiences that are safe and seamless, regardless of the channel. Mobile app users may have different authentication preferences than those who call the contact center, which could lead to frictions if companies are not prepared. As a result, banks like TD Bank are approaching call center security needs with tools like multifactor authentication (MFA).

Marketplaces Bet That a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Sales

In a PYMNTS interview, Richard Noguera, chief information security officer at Yapstone, discusses the findings of the playbook titled “Meeting the Millennial Need for AI-Powered Visual Shopping.” Noguera said artificial intelligence (AI) can prove to be useful at both the front end (in which the interaction with the consumer takes place and suggestions are presented for the next purchase) as well as the back end (in which information is collected and analyzed). “They are equally important, just different,” he said.