Credit card reader gets broader distribution

Square credit card readers are today officially on sale at US Apple Stores, says company founder Jack Dorsey. The accessory costs $10, and can be bought at either a physical location or Apple's online store. Previously the main way of ordering a reader was through the accompanying app, which updated yesterday with support for the iPad 2 camera, as well as sales tax on the iPhone and iPod touch.

Buying a reader provides $10 of Square credit, used against early transaction charges. Square should notably be the only company with third-party payment gear selling in Apple Stores for the foreseeable future. Rival VeriFone recently attempted an attack campaign, claiming that it would be possible to create a fake Square app that steals credit card data from customers. Dorsey retaliated, for instance arguing that it may be as easy or easier to steal information when processing a credit card manually.

by MacNN Staff