Japanese consumers to have new option when it comes to mobile payments
Leading mobile payments firm Square has announced that its mobile commerce platform of the same name is now available in Japan. This represents the first time the company has expanded beyond the North American market. Asia has become one of the most attractive markets when it comes to mobile commerce due to the high level of penetration that mobile technology has been seeing over the years. Japan, in particular, has proven to be a hub of activity when it comes to mobile payments.
iPhone consumers may be welcoming of Square
The iPhone is one of the most popular mobile devices among Japanese consumers. This is somewhat ideal for Square as the company’s flagship mobile payments platform was designed for the iOS platform before also being made compatible with the Android platform. Square believes that it can find favor with a multitude of consumers that are eager to participate in mobile commerce without having to embrace NFC technology or purchase a new mobile device just to make mobile payments.
Competition expected to be fierce
Square’s entry into the Japanese market is being considered very bold as the country is home to several mobile commerce initiatives that have already successfully enthralled many consumers. Square is expected to face staunch competition from NTT docomo and KDDI, two of the largest companies in the mobile commerce sector in Japan. PayPal has also established a strong foothold in Japan through its partnership with Softbank. Square believes that it will be able to win over consumers with its flare for design.
Future of mobile payments in Japan is uncertain for Square
Square has managed to establish a great deal of popularity in the mobile payments space. The company has helped expand mobile commerce throughout North America and has proven that it can compete with other companies that exist in this increasingly crowded field. The Asian market is quite different from that of North America, however, which makes Square’s future in Japan anything but certain.
UK’s Metro sets sights on mobile games
There can be no doubt that mobile games have become a very prominent part of the game industry as a whole. These games have come to represent a very lucrative market, encouraging game developers from all over the world to enter into the mobile space. While the game industry has been growing more engrossed in the mobile world, other industries are also beginning to show strong interest in mobile games. Such is the case with Metro, one of the United Kingdom’s most popular newspapers.
Company has high hopes for the mobile sector
Metro has long been in the business of news and print. Like others in its industry, Metro has faced several challenges in the wake of the advent of mobile technology. The company has managed to remain somewhat relevant with consumers through the clever use of technology and by appealing to a younger generation of consumers. Metro has taken note of the astounding prospects that exist in the realm of mobile games and has decided to jump into the deep end of this sector by launching its own mobile gaming platform.
Metro Play to serve as platform for mobile games
Metro Play is the name of this platform and it is meant to provide a new level of engagement to Metro’s current audience. The platform will support a vast array of mobile games that can all be access through a smartphone or tablet. Metro has invested more than $2 million into this venture and believes that mobile games can be a very lucrative way to engage a growing population of consumers that is heavily reliant on mobile technology.
Metro aims to be ideal hub for mobile consumers
The new platform is part of an overarching campaign from Metro that places mobile technology as a top priority. Metro continues to see consumers becoming more mobile-centric and aims to position itself as an ideal source for news and entertainment among consumers that favor their mobile devices over all other media platforms. Metro Play is expected to help Metro appeal to those interested in mobile games, an audience that has already proven itself to be very accommodating to businesses catering to their interests.
