Passbook, released in 2012, has capabilities that support non-payment activities – managing tickets, coupons, events and code scanning – but never truly came through as the hoped-for "Apple mobile wallet" for payments.
The service works on top of PayPal for now, but plans for mobile wallet integration are on the company's roadmap.
In exchange for giving up their time, users are rewarded with free credit for their phone, top-ups for mobile wallet services.
Charles S. Golvin, a Forrester analyst who focuses on mobile technology, said that in order for a mobile wallet product to gain traction, it would need to be an open system that allowed customers to pay for anything, anywhere.
Is it setting the stage for a mobile wallet?
Paytm is best known for its mobile wallet, but also runs online marketplaces for products and local services.
The expansion comes at a time when Apple is riding on a growth high for its mobile wallet.
Carrier-backed mobile payments initiative Isis is gearing up support for its mobile wallet platform ahead of the nationwide launch later this year.
Isis, the joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, recently announced support for its mobile wallet system from the majority of leading device makers, including HTC, LG, Motorola, RIM, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
According to Reuters' report, Target has been in discussions with credit card companies for its mobile wallet and is considering using scanning technology to link the wallet to point-of-sale transactions.
