Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 10 | Page 10

NEWS Social network, Nextdoor, launches across Italy and Spain Thanks to Boon, Google Pay is now available to all Android users in Italy W irecard, a global leader in innovation for digital financial technology, is making its mobile payment solution, Boon, available to download in the Google Play store for the launch of Google Pay in Italy. As a result, Italian users will benefit from a fully digitised prepaid Mastercard for mobile payments, regardless of which bank they are with. According to a recent survey, 74% of all consumers in Italy already use their smartphone for mobile banking. As of now, Android users in Italy can make secure contactless mobile payments at the till with Google Pay and Boon. With the new Boon Android app, customers can simply add their digital Mastercard to Google Pay. With Boon, all Android smartphone users can register in a matter of minutes and then securely pay via Boon and Google Pay. N 10 extdoor, the world’s leading private social network for neighbourhoods, has announced its launch in Italy and Spain. Nextdoor’s mission is to bring neighbours together all over the world to build stronger communities and ultimately happier and more meaningful lives. Similar to the member experience in all Nextdoor markets, Nextdoor Italy and Spain have been fully localised and optimised for neighbourhoods across the country on web, iOS and Android devices. “We are excited to bring Nextdoor to Italy and Spain, countries where local connections have always been one of the most valued aspects of everyday life,” said Nirav Tolia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor. Italy and Spain are demonstrating strong early interest. Tens of thousands of new members and more than 600 new neighbourhoods have already been established during Italy and Spain’s initial private beta offerings. The highly engaged members in Nextdoor’s six European countries represent a level of adoption unparalleled by any of the multiple smaller competitors seeking to emulate the platform’s success. Neighbours create private and secure online communities where they can ask questions, get to know one another and exchange local advice and recommendations. For example, neighbours across Europe are already using Nextdoor to get trusted recommendations for babysitters and handymen, give away clothing, sell unwanted items and organise neighbourhood gatherings. INTELLIGENTCIO “The local pride and sense of community shared by both Italians and Spaniards are perfectly aligned with the practical ways our platform enables richer personal connections in real life.” Florence Diss, Head of EMEA Commerce Partnerships, Google, added: “Boon users can link their card to Google Pay once and then use Google Pay to make safe, fast and delightful purchases in millions of places in Italy and around the world including on their favourite apps and sites.” Users can top up their Boon account using any Mastercard or Visa and via bank transfer. As a result, it is not necessary to already own a credit card from a bank supported by Google Pay. Furthermore, Boon facilitates free, real-time money transfers between Boon users. Thanks to the Google Pay integration, Android users can use Boon especially quickly and easily: users simply take their mobile end device, hold it over the till terminal – without even having to open up the app – and the payment is complete. www.intelligentcio.com