Monitise, a developer of mobile payments technology, has announced that it has secured a partnership with a leading bank in the United Kingdom as well as extending a commercial contract with one of the country’s leading financial organizations. The company notes that the demand for mobile payments technology has been growing dramatically over the past year. With 2013 over, many retailers and other businesses have been exposed to the benefits of mobile commerce and these organizations are showing their eagerness to embrace the mobile space in 2014.
Mobile commerce continues to grow
Mobile payments are not only growing more popular among businesses. Consumers have become quite interested in mobile commerce and the demand for new services is beginning to reach new heights. Companies are beginning to feel the pressure to accommodate consumer demand or risk losing ground to their competitors that are more mobile-conscious. Mobile commerce is growing at a quick pace due to the importance smartphones and tablets have come to play in the daily lives of consumers.
Monitise has high hopes for 2014 and beyond
Monitise expects to see its revenue increase by 50% in 2014 as it forms new partnerships in Europe and the U.S. The firm expects 2014 and 2015 to be major years in terms of mobile commerce, but also notes that it will likely see fierce competition emerge onto the scene. Companies like Square, which currently only operates in North America, have established a strong presence and major retail organizations like eBay and Alibaba are beginning to take mobile payments more seriously. While Monitise is behind the technology that is used by several large brands interested in mobile commerce, it is just one among several similar firms that are vying for attention.
Uncertainty lingers in the mobile commerce space
The future of mobile commerce is often painted as bright and fortuitous, but there are still many uncertainties and risks that exist in the sector. Security threats abound as malicious groups become more focused on mobile commerce and stealing financial information from businesses and consumers alike. The capabilities of mobile commerce platforms and how they provide a positive experience to consumers is also called into question quite frequently as retailers and other groups continue to struggle with their adaptation to the mobile space.
This latest version of the device is lighter, more compact, and produces twice the number of prints.
LG has now developed a new version of its mobile printer, the Pocket Photo 2.0, that is being applauded a s a considerable improvement over the design and capabilities of its predecessor.
This device has improved on several different levels over the one that came before it.
The Pocket Photo 2.0 mobile printer is lighter than the first one, is more compact, which makes it easier to carry around, but it will also print twice the number of photos that its predecessor was capable of producing. For every charge, this little machine is capable of printing thirty prints. Furthermore, the developers have been able to shave a half hour off its charge time.
The mobile printer may be an LG device, but it is compatible with several operating systems.
The LG Pocket Photo 2.0 is compatible with Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows, and can produce wireless printing through near field communication (NFC technology) and even through Bluetooth connectivity. The older version of this device was capable of supporting only NFC for Android smartphones, which had considerably limited its compatibility.
The printouts produced by this product feature a resolution of 313 dpi, and they measure 51 by 76 millimeters. It is now accompanied by an enhanced companion app that comes with a brand new set of features, including new filter effects and an option for augmenting frames. This model uses Zink printing technology, and its design has eliminated the need to have to replace ink, which is a very costly part of many printing devices.
This mobile printer is already available on retail shelves in China and will work its way around the rest of the world throughout this year. It is expected that the Pocket Photo 2.0 will also be showcased in Las Vegas at the CES 2014, which will run from January 7 through to January 10. Its increased compatibility with smartphones and other devices, as well as its more practical features could make it a considerable hit and will be certain to draw a lot of attention.
