Author: Dan Gendro

Mobile commerce may suffer trust issues in the future

| February 26, 2013

Mobile Commerce App SecurityStudy highlights concerns consumers have in mobile commerce and elsewhere

MEF, a global community focused on improving mobile commerce, has released a new study concerning online privacy. Over the past few years, privacy has become a major concern for consumers all over the world. With companies, social networks, and even mobile applications, sharing people’s personal information with advertisers, many consumers have become weary of sharing any personal data through applications, especially those concerning mobile commerce. The MEF study highlights some of the concerns that consumers have regarding how their information is used.

Consumers show concern in what information is being collected from them through applications

According to the study, which is called the Global Privacy Report, approximately 37% of consumers are comfortable with sharing their personal information with a mobile application. The study draws upon information collected from ten countries, all of which have strong representation in the mobile space. MEF analysts suggest that many consumers are disinterested in sharing their information with applications because of concerns over security and how this information is being used.

How information is being used is a top issue among consumers

The study shows that 70% of consumers believe it is important to know how their information is being used, and what kind of information is being gathered through mobile applications. Mobile commerce applications, in particular, are of high concern to consumers because of the their use of financial information. While this information is not traded, other personal information is often made available to advertisers and many consumers have expressed concerns that the availability of this information makes it a target for hackers and other malicious parties.

Mobile commerce may suffer from gaps in mobile security

While consumers show a strong concern with how their information is being used and what information mobile applications are collecting, only 18% of consumers lack confidence in the security of their information. The study suggests that there are significant gaps in the realm of mobile security, however, especially when it comes to mobile commerce. If these gaps are continually exploited, the trust that consumers have in their mobile security may wane significantly.

Mobile games market poised for major growth

| February 22, 2013

Mobile Games GrowthMobile games market to reach new heights in near future

Juniper Research, a leading market research firm, has released a new study concerning the future of the mobile games market. The study, “Mobile and Tablet Games — Discovery, In-App Purchases and Advertising 2013-2017,” suggests that the mobile games market is poised to see major success and growth in the near future, especially as more consumers get their hands on mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. As mobile device proliferation becomes more widespread, mobile games are expected to begin having a major impact on the global game industry.

Market to exceed $3 billion by 2017

According to the study, global sales of mobile games are expected to reach $3 billion over the next four years. The rapid adoption of tablet devices is cited as one of the key drivers behind this aggressive growth. In-game purchases are also becoming more common among consumers, especially where virtual currencies are involved. Many mobile games offer virtual currency, which can be purchased with actual currency. Virtual currency can be used to purchase a wide assortment of goods in games and this type of currency has become very popular among avid gamers.

North America and Asia will power growth

The study shows that the North American and Asian markets will see the most growth in the mobile games market. These two regions will account for 86% of in-game transactions by 2016. China, in particular, will see a major surge in mobile games as the country’s game developers become more ambitious. Juniper Research notes that the Chinese market reached $1 billion in 2012 and this momentum has yet to show signs of dissipating.

Smart phones to beat out tablets

Despite the growing popularity of tablet devices, smart phones will continue to be the most popular platform on which to make in-game purchases. Consumers continue to show favor for smart phones because of their versatile nature and the fact that can be used for much more than mobile games. Tablets boast of some versatility as well, but do not offer the same features that consumers have come to appreciate with smart phones.