Block creating new Square Stand for iPad with built-in tap to pay

A new Square Reader appears to be on the horizon, capable of letting users tap to pay directly on the device itself.

Block Inc, the payment company formerly known as Square, appears to be working on a third-generation Square Stand. The yet-unannounced iPad stand features a tap to pay NFC contact and a card reader built directly into the outer edge of the stand.

An image was unearthed by Steve Moser and shared with Bloomberg. It was hidden inside the company's point-of-sale app.

Image Credit: Steve Moser via Bloomberg

Currently, merchants who wish to use the Square App on an iPad must attach an external card reader. By integrating the card reader into the iPad itself, merchants would have fewer pieces to keep track of.

Apple recently announced its new Tap to Pay feature, allowing users to take Apple Pay and "other contactless payments" simply by using an iOS app.