Amazon is taking direct aim at mobile payment systems such as Square, PayPal Here and Intuit's GoPayment by introducing the Amazon Local Register, a credit card processing device and mobile app designed to help small-business owners accept payments through their smartphones and tablets.
Amazon's technology includes a card reader that attaches to a smartphone, Kindle or tablet. The reader processes credit or debit card payments via a secure Amazon network, the same one that processes Amazon.com purchases.
The service is designed to serve on-the-go small business owners who might otherwise only accept cash or checks, including massage therapists, food truck operators and artists who sell their work at outdoor fairs.
