Movaluate turns to NFC and QR codes to cut down on waste
Movaluate, a company specializing i
n promoting the re-use of old smart phones and mobile devices, has launched an ambitious new initiative that aims to get people to sell their old smart phones rather than just throw them away. The company has begun giving away from NFC-QR tags that, when scanned, can instantly determine the market value of a smart phone. The information provided to the consumer through these tags is meant to give them an idea of what they can gain from selling their old mobile devices.
New campaign allows consumers to determine the value of their smart phones
The new campaign from Movaluate is meant to raise awareness of the rising value of smart phones. More mobile services are emerging that can only be accessed through smart phones and other advanced devices. The availability of these devices is high, but many consumers have yet to justify the purchase of such technology due to its high cost or the fact that they must commit to a usage contract to obtain a smart phone. The second-hand market can be a viable place to find a smart phone without having to pay a large amount of money upfront.
Old technology presents environmental risks
Old smart phones present a fairly significant environmental problem. Many consumers simply discard their old mobile devices when they purchase a replacement. These devices are not made out of biodegradable components, however, and can even release toxins into the environment, poisoning soil and wildlife. By recycling or selling old smart phones, the environmental implications of discarding these technologies can be mitigated significantly.
Campaign may help consumers get their hands on smart phones
Through its new NFC-QR tags, Movaluate aims to help consumers get a fair market price for their mobile devices. The tags can be easily accessed by devices with a barcode scanning application or an NFC reader. This campaign may help increase people’s access to new mobile devices, in the long run, while also helping protect the environment from dangerous technological waste.
NFC technology can be used for more than mobile payments
NFC technology gets a great deal of attention for its uses in mobile commerce. The technology has been a cornerstone of mobile payments for some time, but can facilitate other services beyond this realm as well. As NFC technology becomes more popular, and more prone to criticism, those interested in NFC are looking for new ways to make use of it. Steve Gurley, president of Pyrim Technologies, is keen to encourage the use of NFC technology outside of mobile commerce, or at least raise awareness of its other capabilities.
Peer-to-peer communication facilitated through NFC
According to Gurley, NFC technology has three uses beyond mobile payments. The first is peer-to-peer communication. This capability is beginning to attract more attention, especially as technology giant Samsung begins marketing this aspect of their new NFC-enabled products. NFC technology allows for devices, such as smart phones, to share information without being connected by wires. Two such devices can share information to one another digitally, allowing smart phone users to share songs or contact details with each other.
Security could be controlled through NFC chips
Another use of NFC technology is secure card emulation. Hotels often rely on keycards to control access to rooms and some services, a practice that is growing increasingly common on university campuses around the world. NFC technology can make this practice more efficient, according to Gurley. By embedding an NFC chip into a card, access can be granted in a quick, efficient, and more secure manner, removing the need for traditional methods of security. NFC technology can also act in a wide range of read/write practices and facilitate the exchange of information easily.
NFC technology expected to continue playing a large role in mobile commerce
NFC technology is likely to continue playing a major role in mobile commerce, but will not be restricted to this industry for long. Already, the technology has become an emergent part of numerous industries, especially in those that put a high value on interaction with consumers. Marketing is currently the most popular platform for NFC technology, outside of mobile commerce.
