Amazon debuts mobile payment app and card reader

NEW YORK — Amazon is taking direct aim at mobile payment systems such as Square by introducing the Amazon Local Register, a credit-card processing device and mobile app designed to help small business owners accept payments through their smartphones and tablets. Businesses must buy Amazon’s card reader for $10, and download the free mobile app from the Amazon app store, the Apple app store or Google Play. “I’ve actually heard some business owners say the only thing that would make them change systems is cost savings,” said Matt Swann, vice president of local commerce for Amazon. Baird Equity analyst Colin Sebastian said Amazon’s move was partly expected since the company bought mobile payment company GoPago in 2013.