Tag: nfc phone

Windows Phone 8 launches with NFC capabilities

| November 1, 2012

 Windows Phone 8 includes NFC technology

Android and iOS may hold sway over the majority of the mobile market, but Microsoft is keen to re-establish itself as a major contender with the launch of Windows Phone 8. The new smart phone, which was launched earlier this week, may not have received the same fanfare that usually accompanies the launch of an iPhone, but it has still managed to generate a great deal of buzz in the mobile technology world. Much of the interest Windows Phone 8 is receiving is thanks to its use of NFC technology.

Microsoft sees potential in NFC

Microsoft has brought NFC technology to the Windows Phone platform in order to address growing demand for the technology amongst consumers. Microsoft does not share the same concerns as Apple regarding NFC technology and believes that it can be used to provide better services to consumers. Thus, Windows Phone 8 boasts of several features that are based on the technology, such as a mobile wallet that will serve as a platform for mobile commerce.

Wallet application serves as a commerce hub for consumersWindows Phone 8

The Windows Phone 8 Wallet, as it is called, provides consumers with a wide range of services. Through the Wallet, consumers can store boarding passes for trips, loyalty rewards from retailers, movie tickets and other such materials on a single platform. This digital information can be accessed and used at any time. The Wallet is also able to store the financial information of a consumer, allowing them to make purchases for goods and services using nothing more than their Windows Phone 8.

Windows Phone 8 able to interface with Android platform

While Windows Phone 8 boasts of many features that have won favor of consumers, it is the device’s NFC capabilities that may solidify it as a favorite amongst the tech-savvy. By adopting NFC technology, Microsoft is putting the Windows Phone 8 in direct competition with Google’s Android platform. The company, however, is not keen to shut out Google in any way. In fact, Windows Phone 8 is able to interface with any version of the Android platform that supports NFC technology, allowing the two platforms to share digital information in a seamless manner.

Google Wallet wins support from MetroPCS

| October 24, 2012

 MetroPCS now supports Google Wallet

Google Wallet has finally won the support of MetroPCS, a mobile service provider in the U.S. The company is one of many service providers that offers the new Samsung Galaxy S III. Like others in its industry, however, MetroPCS did not support Google Wallet, meaning that consumers with the powerful new smart phone were unable to make use of Google’s mobile commerce platform. That has changed, now that Google has struck a deal with one of the few companies that still do not support its platform.

Google continues work to improve mobile commerce platform

Google is keen to get as much support for the Google Wallet as possible. The mobile commerce platform has been available for little more than a year now, but has not yet entered the mainstream. Google has been working to resolve many of the issues that plagued Google Wallet when it was first launched last year, going so far as to introduce a new cloud computing structure that provides more security for the platform.

More Galaxy S III users now get access to Google WalletMobile Commerce News on Google Wallet

Google Wallet has proven somewhat popular amongst consumers and fans of the technology company, but many have been unable to use the platform because of two big problems. The first is the fact that many network operators do not support Google Wallet, thus making the platform unavailable to consumers in these networks. The second, and perhaps most serious problem is the limited availability of NFC-enabled mobile devices. The Galaxy S III was expected to bring NFC technology to more consumers around the world and help expose them to mobile commerce. The smart phone accounts for only one NFC-enabled device, however, in a market that is thriving due to diversity.

Google to clash with Isis

The support of MetroPCS is considered a significant victory for Google’s mobile commerce plans. Google Wallet will soon clash with Isis, an as yet unreleased mobile commerce platform that has already garnered a great deal of support from financial institutes. Isis is backed by AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile, giving the platform immediate access to a wide range of consumers.