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They're disrupting cash register manufacturers, not card issuers.

They are still a long way from that.

So does that mean for example starbucks will buy iphones and ipads and pay monthly fee for data plans and use iphone as their cash register?

Starbucks already has wifi. Don't most payment processors use some sort of Internet connection these days?

I would hope they are connected via a network cable, not wifi.

You hope the iPhone or iPad doing the payment processing with the Square device is connected via network cable? I'm afraid I have some disturbing news for you.

You hope the iPhone or iPad doing the payment processing with the Square device is connected via network cable?

No. I was replying to this...

Starbucks already has wifi. Don't most payment processors use some sort of Internet connection these days?

I think some, but not all, will pay data plans. Square doesn't require a data plan, as evidenced by it being compatible with the iPod Touch, which has no radio:

> Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/square/id335393788?mt=8

Ipod touch has wifi.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com