Tap to Pay: Get on Board
Among one of the iPhone rumors (for what seems like constant 24/7 rumors/leaks) is the inclusion of NFC. It seems that Apple has resisted the technology for the longest time; the majority of Android devices already have it (for a couple years now). It has been one of the most underutilized aspects of Android device; I don't even think the majority of users know they have it on their phones. Heck, even Windows Phone has NFC and have tap-to-pay applications.
One of the main uses for the NFC technology is the ability to tap-to-pay. You simply unlock your phone and place it near the merchant's sensor. Then you're done. No need to swipe your card or even put in your credit card with the smart chip. Most major retailers accept this form of payment but it's not implemented in small to medium sized business. But with the low adoption rate, those businesses have no reason to switch over.
With the likely possibility of the next iPhone having NFC, mobile payments will grow in number. Even if the iPhone community doesn't adopt the technology, the awareness of NFC payments will have grown in the Android (and Windows Phone) community.
As a tap-to-pay user myself, I would love it were to grow to all business so I don't have to carry any of my credit cards around. But I understand the obstacles that it must overcome. First and most importantly, consumers must have security and privacy. Then, they have to get over the change of using a different method of payment. This was the hardest part for me; I didn't want to be THAT GUY to hold up the line or cause commotion due to the mobile payment not functioning correctly. After the second time, that feeling of fear was gone. Instead, I enjoyed the reaction by the people around me. Most of time it's eyes opening wide or verbal expressions like "That's Amazing!"/"That's so cool"; other times, there are faces of confusion on the entire situation. I have pledged to use tap-to-pay whenever it is possible!!!
Tip: On Google Wallet, you only need an Internet connection once a day to input your PIN to use mobile payments. Otherwise, you don't need an data connection to process the payment. This was very important since T-Mobile doesn't get the best service all the time...
The best known mobile payment application is probably Google Wallet. But Google Wallet isn't only for its tap-to-pay function. It's one of more comprehensive money services out there. Like PayPal or Venmo, Google Wallet allows you to send/receive money to/from people (there are fees for payments using credit cards but sending from bank accounts are free). You can even send money through GMail!
Google Wallet also lets you save gift/loyalty cards so you don't have to carry them around everywhere. It even syncs so your gift card balances are up to date and it tells you the benefits that your loyalty cards give you.
Of course, Google Wallet is used in the Google universe (e.g. Play Store), but it can also be used in numerous other merchants (similarly to PayPal).
You can even get a Google Wallet Card! Keep in mind Google Wallet is compatible with the major credit card types: VISA, American Express, MasterCard, Discover.