Author: JT

Visa and Monitise look to expand mobile payments throughout Europe

| March 10, 2013

Mobile Payments Partnership EuropeVisa and Monitise extend mobile payments partnership

Visa has announced that it is expanding its partnership with Monitise, a mobile payments company. The two companies have been working to expand the reach of mobile commerce throughout Europe and have been met with promising success thus far. Visa now aims to extend its partnership with Monitise through a new three-year commercial agreement. Per the agreement, the two companies will continue expanding into the European mobile commerce market, developing new mobile payments solutions that are designed with financial institutions in mind.

Mobile commerce is growing more popular among financial groups due to consumer demand

Mobile payments have been a relatively easy sell to consumers. Many people have shown  their willingness to use their smartphones and tablets to purchase goods and services. The concept has been more difficult to sell to financial institutions, which are more concerned with the risks associated with mobile commerce rather than its convenience. Despite these concerns and a reluctance to support mobile commerce, many European financial institutions are seeing rising demand from customers concerning mobile payments. Thus, these organizations are beginning to take steps to accommodate the wants of their customers.

New solutions to be introduced to European market

Through the agreements, Visa will be able to make use of mobile technology developed by Monitise. This technology will be put to use in the development of new mobile payments solutions. As these solutions take form, Visa will help promote them to European markets as well as help ensure that these solutions are secure against the threats that exist in the mobile world. Visa and Monitise have already deployed mobile payments services to more than 3,000 banks and financial institutions in Europe and the two companies are expected to look to take advantage of this momentum.

Visa and Monitise seek to dominate Europe with mobile payments

Visa notes that the way people pay for goods and services is changing. More people have access to smartphones and tablets than ever before and these consumers are finding that mobile commerce offers them a convenient and safe way to make purchases. Visa and Monitise will work to continue establishing their commanding presence in the European market, hoping to fortify themselves against competing parties that are looking to do the same.

Mobile games could be powerful tools for cancer research

| March 6, 2013

Mobile Games cancer researchMobile games gaining attention as possible research tools

Mobile games may soon play a profound role in cancer research. Over the past weekend, cancer researchers and developers from Google joined together to create a mobile game that was designed specifically for the research of tumor genes. This is not the first time mobile games have been used for such a purpose, but Google’s efforts have rekindled interest in the possible uses of mobile games to introduce innovative solutions to serious problems.

Cancer Research UK sets sights on mobile games

Cancer Research UK, one of the leading cancer research organizations in the United Kingdom, has announced plans to develop mobile games that are designed to accelerate the discovery of cures for various types of cancer. The organization will be teaming with Facebook and Amazon in order to see this effort come to fruition. The organization plans to have the first of its mobile games developed over the course of three days, with developers from both Facebook and Amazon creating a working prototype for the game.

Game could shed light on new solutions

Once the prototype has been completed, it will be given to a dedicated development firm that will turn it into a cross-platform game for both iOS and Android platforms. The game will likely be similar to FoldIt and Phylo, both of which essentially crowdsource research efforts concerning genetics and serious diseases. Cancer Research UK suggests that mobile games hold a great deal of potential, as they are entertaining for consumers and could shed some light on solutions that researchers may have never thought of in the first place.

Mobile games can tap into the power of the crowd

Most mobiles are firmly within the realm of entertainment, rarely used for any purpose beyond staving off boredom among consumers. Cancer Research UK suggests that the true potential of mobile games lies in crowdsourcing, pooling the collective problem solving capabilities of a populace and using this capability to overcome major challenges that have impeded research for several years.