Samsung this week revealed its highly anticipated Galaxy S4, only 9 months after the release of the massively successful Galaxy S III. The Galaxy S4 is packed with several upgrades that make it a bit more powerful than its predecessor, but the new mobile device’s potential use in mobile commerce is attracting the most attention. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S4 is expected to have a strong focus on mobile commerce, allowing users to make mobile payments and shop online using their device.
New device equipped with Mobeam technology
The Galaxy S4 will be equipped with new technology that has been developed by mobile commerce startup Mobeam. Mobeam has been on the search for partners since it announced the development of its barcode scanning technology for mobile devices. The technology is capable of scanning barcodes, such as QR codes, like simple barcode scanning applications. The technology does, however, provide something new in that it enables point-of-sale scanners to scan barcodes that are presented on the screen of the Galaxy S4.
Mobeam makes barcodes important again
Mobeam calls the technology “light based communications,” or LBC. This technology works by using the priximity sensors of the Galaxy S4 to beam light pulses that mimic barcode patterns. This allows point-of-sale scanners to register the device’s barcodes. Using Mobeam’s LBC would allow consumers to scan the barcode of a particular product and have this barcode scanned at point-of-sale in order to make a purchase. This could also be used to take advantage of the various price-matching initiatives that several retailers have in place.
Technology could be available for third-party developers in the future
Mobeam’s technology is currently exclusive to the Galaxy S4, but Samsung suggests that it could be available for third-party developers at some point in the future. The technology has some promising implications for mobile commerce, especially as consumers become more interested in making use of QR codes and other such tools.
Kabam takes aim at mobile games with new publishing division
Kabam, a mid-sized game developer, has announced the official launch of Kabam Publishing, a new division of the company that focuses on the publishing of mobile games. Kabam has taken note of the rise in popularity of mobile games over recent years, seeing that many consumers are very interested in playing games from their smartphones and tablets. In an effort to engage these consumers, the developer has targeting the publishing business. Through Kabam Publishing, the company will be able to provide consumers with a wide range of new mobile games from various third parties.
Kabam Publishing to provide resources to third party developers
Kabam Publishing will provide third party game developers with a variety of tools and technologies that Kabam itself uses to develop new games. With these resources, developers will be able to create games for numerous platforms, such as Facebook, iOS, and Android. Kabam Publishing will have a strong focus on mobile games, so even those designed for Facebook will be accessible through mobile devices. Though Kabam Publishing is the official publishing division of Kabam, the company has been publishing third party games for some time.
Publishing unit will make promotion and distribution more efficient
Since 2012, Kabam has been publishing mobile games created by third party developers. The company boasts of 15 publishing partners, including Reality Square Games and Venan Games. Kabam Publishing encompasses the company’s publishing efforts, localizing resources and making it more efficient for the company to promote and distribute mobile games of various types.
Kabam may be a major boon for third party developers looking for a publisher
Though Kabam is relatively small in terms of development staff, the company boasts of one of the largest audiences in the mobile space. Many consumers play games from Kabam on their smartphones and tablets, even without realizing that these games are coming from the company. Kabam’s presence in the mobile games sector may prove a boon for third party developers that are looking to align themselves with a dedicated publisher.
Kabam takes aim at mobile games with new publishing division