Author: JT

Mobile commerce platform hits turbulence in Australia

| January 15, 2014

Australian mobile commerce app runs into trouble

Australia’s Commonwealth Bank recently released its CommBank mobile application that was meant to usher in a new era of mobile commerce throughout the country. The application, however, may not be able to accomplish such an ambitious task because of its use of NFC technology and the fact that it is available specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S4. While NFC has formed the backbone of mobile commerce for some years, the technology is not widely available on mobile devices, making it difficult for many consumers to take advantage of NFC-enabled applications.

Consumers have trouble getting app to work properly

NFC-dependance is not the only problem that the CommBank app has had to deal with. Even users with Galaxy S4 devices have been reporting a great deal of frustration when trying to get the application working properly. According to many consumers, initiating a mobile payment using the application is quite difficult. Moreover, before the application can be used, consumers must input their financial information, such as a credit card number. The application is often unable to store this information or consumers have found great difficulty in actually linking this information to the application itself.

Mobile commerce continues to contend with problems

Mobile Commerce - AustraliaMobile commerce in general has been beset by technical problems for nearly as long as it has existed as a concept. Applications designed as commerce platforms are not perfect and glitches in these platform’s abilities to retain information are somewhat common. Hastily developed applications are more susceptible to failure that those that have been in development for prolonged periods of time, but any kind of application that offers lackluster service can provide consumers with a poor experience.

Consumers run into issues when purchasing from retailers

The CommBank application is also being beset by some unforeseeable problems. Some consumers have reported that retail employees have denied accepting mobile payments, simply because these employees are not yet acclimated to the idea of paying for products using a mobile device. Awareness is often a problem when it comes to the adoption of new technology and unforeseeable issues concerning awareness are difficult to prepare for.

Mobile games are coming to wearable technology platforms

| January 10, 2014

Developers show faith in wearable technology

Mobile games developers are beginning to show a great deal of interest in wearable technology. Google Glass and Samsung Galaxy Gear have yet to attract the enthusiasm of consumers, but game developers are keen to make new products for these platforms. Glass, in particular, has managed to establish a following among consumers despite the fact that it is not yet available. Game developers have been rushing to make applications for the platform in order to take advantage of what could be the next big thing to come to the consumer electronics realm.

Wearable technology could change the mobile space

Glu Mobile, a prominent developer of mobile games, compares the potential of wearable technology to that of the iPhone when it was first launched. The iPhone received a great deal of hype before its official launch and went on to revolutionize the mobile space, especially where applications are concerned. Wearable technology may have a similar impact on the mobile space, but it is impossible to tell for certain whether or not this will be the case.

Mobile games on Glass being released in January

Mobile Games News - Wearable TechnologyMobile games for Google Glass are already scheduled for launch later this month, but Glass itself has not yet been officially released. Currently, only a few thousand developers have access to the platform. Developer units were issued in order to get developers more comfortable with the platform and understand its capabilities and limitations. Game developers have praised Glass’ use of augmented reality as well as its other features.

Some challenges may lie ahead for mobile games on wearable platforms

Mobile games and wearable technology may go hand-in-hand. These games are well liked because they can be played anywhere and at any time. Technology like Glass compliments this feature, allowing users to play mobile games whenever they like. The problem, however, resides in how a Glass user will actually control their mobile games. If voice control is the only option, mobile games may soon become more of an annoyance, especially for commuters, than a source of entertainment.