PAX Technology – Why an Android Payment Terminal is the Next Big Thing

A payment terminal may only seem to be a POS device that processes credit card payments but it’s becoming much more. New, intelligent Android-based SmartPOS devices are redefining the merchant acquiring space bringing more functionality and new business opportunities to attended and self-serve locations from parking to EV charging stations. This is being driven by new demands brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers’ expectations of technology.

The flexibility of the Android platform makes it easier to build a wider range of apps that run in parallel with the traditional payment functions, adding more value for merchants. In contrast, developing software for proprietary payment terminal platforms is a complex task that requires specialist knowledge.

For developers and the payments industry, a key benefit of Android is that it enables them to piggyback on the scale and investment already made by smartphone hardware manufacturers. This allows faster implementation of the latest chip sets and features like cameras, barcode scanners, high-definition screens, microphones and memory cards.

Unlike legacy POS terminals, Android devices are designed with smartphones-like features that offer a more intuitive user experience, which leads to increased adoption and accelerated market uptake. PAX Technology has a leading portfolio of Android SmartPOS devices, including the battery-powered AMS1 with 2G, 3G and WiFi communication; the S1E with a camera and a built-in barcode reader; and the rugged APOLLO, which is both water and dust resistant, and offers a 3.5-inch multitouch screen for electronic signature capture. android payment terminal