Reliance to Make Payment Sound Boxes? – All we know so far
Unified Payment Interface, commonly referred to as UPI, has solidified its position as the dominant mode of payment within the nation. A plethora of vendors now display UPI QR code scanners, with an increasing number equipped with sound boxes. These compact devices feature built-in speakers that emit an alert whenever a successful payment is received.
Notably, Paytm pioneered the implementation of sound boxes, soon followed by its competitor, PhonePe. Emerging reports now suggest that Reliance might soon join this league, introducing its own sound box for Jio Pay transactions.
All About the Reliance Payment Sound Boxes
According to a recent TechCrunch report citing an informed source, Reliance has initiated trials of its proprietary sound box device. This preliminary testing is being conducted internally, involving a select group of employees within specific campus stores. The anticipated functionality of Reliance’s sound box would cater to payments executed through Jio Pay, Reliance Jio’s UPI payment application. This mirrors the approach adopted by Paytm and PhonePe, whose sound boxes facilitate payments on their respective platforms.
As of now, limited information is available regarding the specifics of Reliance’s sound box. The public release date remains uncertain, contingent upon the outcome of internal testing and feedback received. For those unfamiliar with the concept, sound boxes are compact devices equipped with a speaker and Bluetooth connectivity. When a buyer completes a UPI payment to a seller, these devices emit a voice announcement upon successful payment reception.
The announcement also includes the payment amount, aiding sellers in verifying the credited sum. The simplicity and portability of these devices have garnered substantial popularity among sellers. Sound boxes streamline the payment process, eliminating the need for sellers and buyers to manually inspect transaction details on their smartphones. Furthermore, they prove beneficial for vendors less comfortable with smartphone usage and app operations.
In the earlier mentioned context, Paytm pioneered the adoption of sound box devices. Their offering boasts a 7-day battery life, supports 11 regional languages, and services over 6 million merchants. In contrast, as Reliance enters the field with its inaugural soundbox iteration, Paytm recently expanded its lineup to encompass two new variants.
These iterations, namely the Pocket Soundbox and Music Soundbox, cater to varying preferences. The former’s ultra-portable design enables it to be carried in pockets, featuring 4G connectivity, a 5-day battery capacity, and an integrated torch. The latter variation, in addition to its core functionality, enables music playback by linking a smartphone via Bluetooth.
