New leaks shopw MasterCard and CSI uniting on a new mobile payment app. CSI Virtual MasterCard will let Android, BlackBerry, iPad, and iPhone users pay with their phones instead of plastic. It’s unknown from the Engadget mention whether or not it will use NFC wireless or if it will work purely through software.
If it requires or can benefit from NFC, the app may be a clue as to future device plans. Both the Google Nexus S and Nexus S 4G, as well as upcoming Sony Ericsson phones, support NFC. BlackBerrys will only start supporting NFC once the Bold 9900 ships in late summer, and Apple hasn’t mentioned any plans outside of rumors of an NFC iPhone 5.
CSI and MasterCard could just be using a software-based solution. However, Google Wallet usually depends on NFC to work and only turns to software alone if the hardware isn’t an option.
The app should go live in July, before either Apple or RIM will be ready to show their own hardware.
