Mobile Payment Move Forward? Not with Walmart Pay

I don't know if it's just in my head but more and more merchants are accepting NFC tap to pay payments whether that be Android Pay, Samsung Pay, or Apple Pay. Though, I am shopping in actual retail stores much less since online shopping is where I am majority of the time.

But it seems that mobile payments is finally getting some growth as more phones are getting the support.

Then, Wal-Mart recently announced they are releasing Walmart Pay. Walmart Pay is a step back for mobile payments. This is how it's going to work, you open your Walmart app, take a picture of a QR code that's on the register, and the transaction is complete. While not too complicated, it's significantly more difficult for the user than NFC payments which is holding the phone close to the payment terminal and authorizing it with your fingerprint or pin.

The biggest issue I see with Walmart Pay is that it will most likely require an internet connection to complete the transaction. This is not an issue for Android/Apple/Samsung Pay as they do not rely on an Internet connection. MCX's CurrentC (currently only used in Columbus, OH) also requires an Internet connection but the user has their QR code scanned by the merchant (so the opposite of Walmart Pay). MCX is company created by a conglomerate of retailers which prohibited the use of Android/Apple/Samsung Pay at some retailers (including CVS, Walmart, and Target).

And, QR codes? Didn't we try this already many many years ago?

I do not believe that Walmart Pay or CurrentC will be the primary mobile payment system solely based on the required Internet connection. Maybe the folks at Walmart have data that back up the usefulness of Walmart Pay and how their users use technology that disagree with my logic...