Author: BWild

Amazon makes a move on mobile commerce with its own virtual currency

Amazon - Mobile CommerceAmazon aims to set itself apart in the mobile commerce field

Amazon is beginning to feel the weight of mounting competition in the field of online retail. Competition is beginning to heat up as more companies begin embracing mobile commerce for the sake of consumers that rely heavily on smartphones and tablets. Amazon is among the earliest adopters of mobile commerce as its position as an online retailer made the company well suited to meet the needs of mobile consumers. With competition from other retailers, however, Amazon has moved to set itself apart from other companies and has introduced its own virtual currency.

Amazon Coins could be an effective mobile commerce and loyalty tool

Virtual currency is not particularly popular with consumers. This type of currency is most often seen in the world of gaming, where consumers can purchase and use this currency to unlock additional content in the games they enjoy. In retail, virtual currency is somewhat rare as most retailers are content with handling actual money. Virtual currencies are not typically associated with mobile commerce as these currencies are not often associated with mobile platforms of any kind. Amazon believes that its virtual currency, called Amazon Coins, could be quite effective at capturing the loyalty of consumers, especially those interested in mobile commerce, as these Coins can only be used to purchase products through Amazon.

Coins can be used to purchase products from the Appstore

Those interested in using Amazon’s new currency must first purchase the Coins from the company. For 500 Coins, consumers will have to pay $5. The Coins can be used to purchase anything from the Amazon Appstore and are exclusive to Kindle Fire tablets. As such, the Coins are somewhat exclusive, catering to a niche market comprised of those with Kindle Fire devices. While the Kindle Fire has proven to be very popular, Amazon does not expect that the device is so popular that it would encourage consumers to purchase Coins. So, Amazon has decided to give away its Coins for free.

Amazon gives Coins away for free

This week, Amazon has deposited 500 Coins into the accounts of every Kindle Fire user. Amazon expects that the Coins will be well received among consumers as they can be used to purchase a multitude of applications, mobile games, music, and e-books from the Appstore. Moreover, items purchased using Coins typically receive a 10% discount, making the virtual currency more alluring for Kindle Fire users. Whether the Coins will succeed in helping Amazon establish a stronger presence in mobile commerce has yet to be seen.

Bluestacks takes a swing at mobile games with new console

Mobile Games for TVNew console designed to bring mobile games to TV screens

Bluestacks, a software company that garnered acclaim for bringing Android applications to PCs and Macs, has taken its first step into the competitive gaming arena. The company has unveiled GamePop, a new console that is meant to make hundreds of mobile games available to gamers. The console is designed specifically to bring mobile games to the TV, allowing consumers to take advantage of their home entertainment systems while playing their favorite mobile games.

GamePop may breathe new life into home gaming

GamePop comes equipped with a subscription-based service. This service allows users to play mobile games on their TVs rather than their mobile devices. The console is expected to alleviate some of the restrictions that have been placed on mobile games in the past and provide consumers with a new way to experience these games. The GamePop is not likely to encounter any significant competition in this field as it is currently the only other console that offers this access to mobile games, with the other being the somewhat infamous Ouya.

Mobile games continue to be an attractive market

Mobile games represent a very promising market in the game industry. Bluestacks has taken note of the rise of mobile games over the past few years and believes that the time is right to make a strong entry into this market. The company believes that the GamePop will satisfy a need that has not yet been met by the game industry at large.

Subscription service may be attractive to developers and gamers alike

The GamePop is expected to appeal to developers as much as it does to gamers. Developers of mobile games must often resort to extreme marketing and other measures to generate revenue. With the Ouya, these developers have little chance to generate revenue as they are forced to offer their mobile games for free. GamePop’s subscription-based service may provide more flexibility, as part of the funds collected through the subscription will go toward developers and the acquisition of new mobile games.