Online payment service PayPal has launched a new iOS SDK for developers. The tool should let iOS apps integrate PayPal checkouts directly, including optional direct credit card payments. For those, apps will have to rely on PayPal’s card.io system, which involves taking a photo of a credit card for scanning purposes.
PayPal is already a supported shopping option in some apps, but only indirectly. Currently tapping a PayPal button will open Safari, where a person can complete a transaction using the web. PayPal is promising more new functions and APIs throughout 2013.