Ultrabooks to see tap-and-pay technology in 2012

Chipmaker Intel® and credit card company MasterCard® have announced a partnership that aims to ease the payment process of online shopping for upcoming Ultrabook™ devices and other Intel-based computers.

According to a joint statement from the companies, by 2012, Ultrabook owners will be able to pay for items online by tapping their specialized credits cards or smartphones to their computers.

The partnership is being introduced at a time when online shopping is skyrocketing. Citing figures from Forrester Research, MasterCard and Intel note that US online sales surpassed $175 billion in 2010, and will see double-digit growth through 2015. Providing a tap-and-pay option to online shoppers will only make the process that much easier and will likely fuel further growth in the ecommerce market.

"MasterCard is constantly working to improve the shopping experience for consumers and merchants," says MasterCard chief emerging payments officer Ed McLaughlin. "The collaboration with Intel will deliver enhanced security and faster checkout -- with the convenience of a simple click or tap."

The first wave of Ultrabooks is expected to hit in early 2012, and according to IHS iSuppli, the devices will be a near-instant success. In a November 2011 report, the research firm estimates Ultrabooks will account for 43 percent of notebook sales by 2015.