New PayPal ‘super app’ includes messaging at last
New digital wallet app will offer functionality beyond mobile payments
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PayPalwill be moving forward with its plans to transform itsmobile payment appinto a “super app” according to the company’s CEO.
AsreportedbyTechCrunch, during a recent Q2 earnings call PayPal CEO Dan Schulman told investors that the initial version of its new consumer digital wallet app is now “code complete” and this means it is almost ready to be rolled out.
By transforming itsmoney transfer appinto a super app, PayPal could eventually resemble China’s WeChat or Alipay or India’s Paytm which provide a number of services in addition to supporting mobile payments. The company has previously said that its super app will include a number of new features such as enhanced direct deposit, check cashing, budgeting tools, bill pay,cryptocurrencysupport, subscription management andbuy now, pay laterfunctionality.
PayPal also plans to add ecommerce features using the mobile shopping tools it obtained after acquiring the popular online shopping extensionHoneyfor $4bn back in 2019. While the company has ran Honey as a standalone app, website and browser extension since its acquisition, its super app could include the service’s deal-finding and price-tracking features.
Messaging functionality
During the company’s recent earnings call with investors, Schulman also revealed that messaging will be another feature available in PayPal’s super app.
With the addition of messaging functionality, PayPal users will be able message back and forth with friends, family and sellers without having to leave its app. They’ll also be able to send thank yous directly from the app after receiving funds without having to use a differentmessaging service.
Schulman provided further details on all of the new capabilities that will be available in PayPal’s super app in the company’s earnings call, saying:
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“Obviously, the [user experience] is being redesigned. We’ve got rewards and shopping. We’ve got a whole giving hub around crowdsourcing, giving to charities. And then, obviously, buy now, pay later will be fully integrated into it. … The last time I counted, it was like 25 new capabilities that we’re going to put into the superapp.”
While PayPal’s super app is now code complete, the company did not provide any details as to when it will begin rolling out to consumers though it did say that the app will be constantly updated with new features even after its release.
ViaTechCrunch
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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