14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is still working hard to bring Windows 10 for Phones Technical Preview to as many Lumia smartphones as possible, but at the same time, the Redmond-based company is looking for ways to improve its customers' experience with Windows Phone.
The first step is the actual release of Windows 10 for Phones, which is supposed to happen later this summer. The next one would be to bring some of the promised convergence to the mobile OS with the Windows for desktops environment.
But Microsoft will not stop here. Word is that Redmond plans to offer its Windows Phone customers access to a money service.
There's a new report that claims Microsoft Payments applied for a money transmitter license back in February 2015. But that is not all, as it seems that banking consultant Faisal Kahn spotted an application submitted by Microsoft at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which would allow them to be a Money Service Business (MSB).
Basically, this means that Microsoft is trying to create its own mobile payments service, just like Google, Apple and Samsung.
Microsoft does not deny the possibility of launching a mobile payments service
One particular state, Idaho, has already approved Microsoft's license for this mobile payments service, and the rest should follow soon.
Another piece in the puzzle has been recently confirmed by Microsoft, which announced last month that Windows 10 for Phones would provide support for Host Card Emulation, which allows for credit card information transmitting.
Ars Technica reports that a Microsoft spokesperson said that it's too early to talk about Microsoft Payments, but since the tech giant is a “mobile-first, cloud-first company,” it wants to provide both its commercial partners and consumers with all the solutions they need.
“Becoming a money service business gives us the flexibility to provide new, innovative cloud services to our customers but we do not have any product announcements at this time,” said Microsoft's rep.
