Author: Denny

Mobile games are coming to Google Glass

| May 30, 2014

Glass could be the next powerful mobile gaming platform

Google Glass may come to play a major role in gaming, especially that of the mobile variety. As one of the largest technology organizations in the world, Google has a strong position in the gaming field, largely because its Android mobile operating system is one of the most popular mobile gaming platforms. The company’s augmented reality glasses could soon change the way people experience their games and independent game developers are turning to Glass to revolutionize gaming.

Indie developers are beginning to turn to Glass for its augmented reality capabilities

Glass has not yet been officially released, but a relatively small number of developers and tech industry professionals have advance models of the device. Glass is already capable of taking pictures, capturing video, and engaging in various forms of social media, but a growing number of indie game developers and crafting mobile games specifically for the platform. Because of the device’s augmented reality capabilities, it is quite popular among developers that are interested in producing highly interactive games.

Developers could use AR to create more interactive games

mobile gaming - Google GlassThe majority of applications currently available on Google Glass are designed with social media and content creation in mind. Developers are beginning to bring ambitious mobile games to the platform, however. Games like Mind Pirate have recently found their way to Glass, aiming to provide an innovative gaming experience for Glass users. Some of these games focus on the augmented reality capabilities of the platform, leveraging this technology to turn the real world into a gaming environment.

Mobile gaming is becoming a priority for some large development studios and publishers

Mobile gaming has become a very powerful force in the overarching game industry. The field is primarily composed of small developers that are independent of publishers, but large game studios are beginning to enter into the mobile space. As large development studios begin to take mobile gaming seriously, they too may see the promise in augmented reality technology and Glass. Companies like Sony and Microsoft are already taking steps to develop their own AR headsets in order to capture the wonderment of interactive gaming.

Retailers in Australia embrace mobile payments

| May 28, 2014

Retailers are flocking to mobile commerce more quickly than consumers are in Australia

Australian retailers are adopting mobile payments faster than consumers, according to Vend, a New Zealand vendor that develops point-of-sale tools for traditional retail stores. Consumers have been showing relatively strong interest in the concept of mobile commerce, but only a modest amount of these people have actually begun participating in mobile shopping. Retailers, however, have been aggressive in their adoption of mobile commerce, hoping to engage a consumer base that is becoming more mobile-centric.

Retail sector continues to aggressively adapt to changes in the business landscape

Australia’s retail sector has always been somewhat ahead when it comes to matters of commerce. Retailers in the country are often quick to adopt new technology that allows them to better engage consumers in a dynamic way. The problem, however, is that consumers are not as enthusiastic when it comes to some of the moves that retailers are making. Mobile commerce is still relatively new and while retailers have high hopes for the mobile space, many consumers are wary of the threats that exist therein.

Consumers are still wary of mobile commerce and its security issues

Mobile payments embraced in AustraliaMany people have cited security issues as their reason for not participating in mobile commerce. Because mobile commerce involves the trafficking of financial information over mobile platforms, this sector has become particularly attractive to malicious groups that would be interested in exploiting this financial information. In Australia, consumers are more apt to favor traditional forms of payment rather than mobile forms. Part of this mentality may be due to poor experiences that consumers may have had with mobile commerce platforms in the past.

Many consumers are comfortable with traditional payment methods and have had bad experiences with mobile commerce platforms

Changing consumer behavior is not likely to be an easy feat. Retailers have been promoting mobile payments for some time but have found relatively little traction. Consumers have become quite comfortable with the way they shop and pay for products. New forms of payments can make some people uncomfortable and unwilling to use mobile platforms while shopping. Poorly designed mobile commerce platforms can also have an adverse effect on people’s opinions concerning mobile commerce.