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PayPal today introduced a new mobile SDK that allows iOS app developers to integrate PayPal checkout and mobile credit card payment mechanisms directly into their apps.
Currently, iOS developers can include PayPal payment buttons into their apps, but users are redirected to Safari to complete their transactions. Now, users will be able to pay without ever leaving the app, including using PayPal's card.io technology that allows users to pay with a credit card by taking a picture of it rather than manually entering the credit card number.
Apple does something similar in iTunes 11 with iTunes Gift Cards.
Mobile SDK – Everyone knows that mobile is changing the way consumers shop and pay, and no one more than developers who must have a mobile presence to compete in today’s environment. We’re launching a mobile SDK so that developers can deliver great experiences for their customers by reducing friction when it comes to payments. Customers never leave the developer’s app experience to pay and they have more choice in the way they want to pay – simply click a PayPal button or scan a credit card using our card.io technology. We’re making it available for iOS developers first, but we’ll expand to other platforms soon.
PayPal promises more APIs and capabilities through the rest of 2013.
Top Rated Comments
Both of these are disallowed by the App Store guidelines.
1. You can't sell physical goods from within an application. Which is why Amazon kicks you out to their mobile page to check out.
You say this very authoritatively, but I have never seen any indication that it is true.
This is what Apple has to say on the subject:
11.1 Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected.
11.2 Apps utilizing a system other than the In App Purchase API (IAP) to purchase content, functionality, or services in an app will be rejected.
11.3 Apps using IAP to purchase physical goods or goods and services used outside of the application will be rejected.
So, you cannot unlock features or functionality in your app without using the App Store. You cannot purchase content, functionality, or services IN YOUR APP without using IAP. And you can't use IAP to purchas physical goods or goods and services used outside the application.
Nowhere, as far as I can see, does it say that you cannot use your own payment system to purchase real-world goods and/or services from within an app.
Google is making inroads into iOS sacred samctity
What does this have to do with Google?
I thought that was against Apple's policies? It was either iTunes or GTFO.
If that was the case, apps like Amazon, Apple Store, eBay, Square, and Walmart wouldn't be allowed on the App Store.