Essential App #4: PayPal

Eli Milchman ()

Essential App #4: PayPal

Money makes the world go ’round, right? If that’s the case, then there’s no more essential app than PayPal; and here in the U.S., it’s really the closest thing we have to a virtual wallet — a concept other cultures (like Japan) have enjoyed for years.

If you have a PayPal account (you don’t? Really?) you can perform all the core functions via the app: sending and requesting money, transferring funds and checking your balance. About the only functions missing are those that relate to account settings.

And there’s also the cool bump-to-pay function that PayPal introduced a few months ago that transfers funds between two iPhones bumped together, similar to the way Bump transfers contact info between two iPhones.

But that’s not all — there’s a tool for splitting the check and calculating tip after eating, a bill-reminder and a function that lets you send out requests to collect money from a group.

DON'T MISS
“Bumping” Contact Details Via iPhone Is Popular at Macworld

Of course, it’s only useful to those with PayPal accounts — but the amount of people using the service is growing, and this app is just another reason for that growth to accelerate.

11 comments »

About the author

Eli Milchman

When he was eight, Eli Milchman came home from frolicking in the Veld one day and was given an Atari 400. Since then, his fascination with technology has made him an intrepid early adopter of whatever charming new contraption crosses his path — which explains why he's Cult of Mac's technology editor. He calls San Francisco home, where he works as a journalist and photographer. Eli has contributed to the pages of Wired.com and BIKE Magazine, among others. Hang with him on Twitter.

(sorry, you need Javascript to see this e-mail address)| Read more posts by .

Posted in iPhone Apps, News, Reviews | Tagged: , , , |

  • Ian

    How much did paypal give you to publish this?

  • Eli Milchman

    Ian, as much as their competitors gave you to troll this post.

  • Alexis

    hahaha love it when authors respond.

    I assume it does work with the iPad? It would looks kinda weird bumping your iPad, but still could be nice. Paypal is not very huge in Canada yet, but I find it very usefull.
    You’re talking about a tool for tip and such, can you really pay in restaurant using Paypal?

  • Keith

    > If you have a PayPal account (you don’t? Really?) …

    I don’t. Really. I’ve heard too many horror stories. I also know a few people who work there, and wouldn’t trust their code with my money. And, finally, I have a credit card that works just fine, so don’t see the need for PayPal.

    Frankly, I’d love to see some competition in this area. PayPal’s had a free ride for too long.

  • Joseph

    Huh? Paypal is horrible experience for the person paying, and useless too because to use it you’ve got to use your credit card anyway.

  • tom

    so funny to hear from people bashing pp with comments like “I already have a credit card” or “I’ve read horror stories” or “there’s no competition”. fine, don’t use it, your choice

  • Nathan

    I’ve only ever used PayPal to buy things online from websites or eBay or whatever.

  • Keith

    > fine, don’t use it, your choice

    I don’t. But I fear you missed the thrust of my post. My intent with my comments was to counterpoint the “(you don’t? Really?)” comment, and give my reasons why.

  • Micheal

    Being a canuck I have found paypal the only easy way to manage ebay and amazon purchases in the US. (no one wants our loonies)
    I hat paypal as it seems to cause my email account to fill with spam and pishing attacks. As a result I am very wary of it.

  • Eli Milchman

    Keith, I’ve heard the horror stories about PayPal, but can’t say I’ve ever really experienced any myself; I’ve only ever had a problem once, it was minor, and it was corrected fairly quickly.

    As to its usefulness: Beside the fact that one can buy things with a PayPal account, it’s also somewhat common for freelancers (writers, photographers) to get paid via PayPal, especially if there’s great distance involved — making it an invaluable tool of the trade.

    But I agree with you, It’d be nice to see a competitor.

  • bubbakush

    not an essential are you dense?
    pay pal is for stupid people.
    only use it when i HAVE to they are jerks and they will steal your money.