Category: Mobile Payments

Apple may stay competitive in mobile commerce with Passbook

| October 27, 2012

Apple turns away from NFC technology in pursuit of alternatives

Much of mobile commerce revolves around the use of NFC technology. The technology has proven itself useful in facilitating mobile transactions, but has also been the target of criticism because of its perceived security faults. Some of the potential problems that can be found with NFC technology were reason enough for Apple to abandon NFC in pursuit of alternatives. Apple received harsh criticism for its decision to not include NFC technology with the new iPhone 5, but the company may still have a trick up its sleeve concerning mobile commerce.

Passbook provides consumers with services concerning aspects beyond mobile transactions

Mobile commerce is often conceptualized simply as the payment for goods or services using a mobile device. There are many facets to the world of mobile commerce, however, some of which are embodied by Apple’s Passbook. Passbook is a mobile application that was introduced with iOS 6, Apple’s latest operating system. The application allows consumers to receive, manage, and use special offers they receive from retailers and loyalty programs.

Passbook proves popular with businesses and consumersApple Passbook

Passbook has already proven to be popular with consumers and businesses alike. Though the application cannot facilitate mobile payments, it can foster a connection between consumers and businesses and address some of the less-known aspects of mobile commerce. Indeed, Passbook is part of Apple’s new approach to mobile commerce and may be one of the company’s strongest weapons when it eventually confronts large names in the rapidly growing industry.

Apple unable to compete with Google and Isis until alternative to NFC technology found

Apple has adopted a slow and steady approach to mobile commerce that has cost it a strong position in the industry today. Because the company has chosen to forgo the use of NFC technology, it is unable to compete with Google and Isis. Though Passbook ensures that Apple retains a modest presence in the mobile commerce industry, the company will not be able to compete at the same level as Google and Isis until it can find a way to facilitate mobile transactions that does not rely on NFC technology.

EnStream teams with RIM to make mobile commerce more secure

| October 25, 2012

 EnStream works to make mobile commerce in Canada secure

EnStream, a mobile solutions provider based in Canada, has reached a deal with Research In Motion (RIM), creators of the BlackBerry platform, concerning a new system that could make mobile commerce in Canada more secure. In 2009, EnStream, which is comprised of Canada’s three largest telecommunications companies, introduced the Zoompass mobile payment platform. The platform enables consumers to use their smart phones to pay for goods and services. As mobile commerce becomes more popular, security concerns are threatening to derail mobile payments in Canada, thus RIM has been tapped for its acclaimed security technologies.

RIM technology will help EnStream create new services

Through this new deal, EnStream will be able to make use of RIM’s Secure Element Manager, a system that will allow the company to manage the credentials of NFC-enabled smart phones in Canada. This move comes after EnStream finalized the sale of Zoompass to Paymobile, thus opening up the companies resources for the development of a new mobile commerce platform that may be better suited for the latest generation of NFC-enabled mobile technology. BackedMobile Commerce by RIM’s technology, the company may be able to help bring more security to mobile commerce in Canada.

Security continues to be serious concern for consumers

Security is one of the most significant problems facing mobile commerce today. Consumers have shown interest in the concept of their mobile devices doubling as payment platforms, but have also expressed extreme concern regarding the safety of their financial information. Security faults with NFC technology and the fact that many mobile commerce platforms can be easily exploited by hackers has caused some turmoil in the burgeoning industry. EnStream believes that bringing more security to the industry may also provide it will more stability.

EnStream to bring mobile payment services to MTS customers

EnStream has also signed an agreement with Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) to bring its mobile payment technology to MTS customers by 2013. Once these services have successfully been incorporated into the MTS network, customers will be able to make purchases for goods and services using EnStream’s technology, as long as they have NFC-enabled mobile devices.