Author: JT

Mobile payments network finally unveiled by MCX

| September 11, 2014

This has been a long awaited phase of the overall strategy from the Merchant Customer Exchange.

The original announcement that the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX) would be releasing a mobile payments system was made quite a while ago, and now the unveiling of this network has finally occurred.

This new feature of the joint venture of some of the largest retailers in the United States should be ready next year.

The MCX announced that its commercial retail launch of this mobile payments service will occur in 2015. The m-commerce venture, as a whole, was initially created in 2012. It includes Walmart, Target, and 7-Eleven, and was created to make it possible for consumers to be able to shop over their smartphones and to use those mobile devices as an alternative to credit cards and debit cards when making a purchase in store.

This mobile payments venture has also included a number of tech partnerships, including Paydient, Gemalto, and FIS.

mobile payments network unveiledTogether, they have now unveiled the CurrentC network. This will give consumers the ability to use their smartphones to pay for purchases at over 110,000 different American merchant locations across the country, through the use of their smartphones instead of plastic cards. The service will try out a few private pilots, which have already been started (but that will be increased throughout the remainder of this year) in advance of the regional and then the national rollouts that will occur at various times in 2015.

The CurrentC mobile apps for Android and iOS are free and are being readied for download. That said, participating merchants are capable of integrating this tech into their own proprietary applications if that is their choice.

The mobile payments wallet service gives smartphone users the ability to link their existing accounts to their devices, but they will also be able to use gift cards as well as branded credit and debit cards with the app. Then, when they reach the checkout counter while in store, they will be able to simply scan barcodes using their smartphones in order to verify and complete the transaction and purchase the items they want.

Wearable technology device to result from Intel Fossil partnership

| September 9, 2014

The two companies recently announced that they would develop these gadgets in a joint effort.

Intel Corp, the chipmaker giant, has recently announced that it will be working with Fossil Group, the designer fashion accessory retailer, in order to create wearable technology devices that will benefit from both practical features and from style.

This partnership has arrived at a time in which Intel has been seeking to broaden its efforts beyond its traditions.

Intel is taking steps toward wearable technology as it expands its horizons beyond its traditional personal computer industry market, and into new markets such as the personal computer industry. Their sights are clearly set on new areas of internet connected products that includes such items as tablets, smartwatches, and even smart clothing.

By working with Fossil on its wearable technology Intel may give itself a considerable fashion advantage.

wearable technology - partnershipAside from working with Intel on fashion products that cross over as wearable tech devices, Fossil is also going to be assisting the venture capital arm at Intel in the search for investments that will drive innovation forward in the wearables category. This, according to a statement that Intel has recently released with regards to its partnership with the designer retailer.

Intel has previously announced that it has been working with Opening Ceremony, a design company, in order to create and launch a new fashion bracelet that is designed with semi precious gemstones, as well as wireless charging and communications features.

With each new announcement, it is becoming increasingly clear that Intel is viewing the road ahead as one that is aimed directly through the wearable technology market. While this category hasn’t taken off with the speed that had been predicted – other than with fitness trackers – the majority of the large mobile tech companies are all coming up with their own versions of gadgets that can be worn in one way or another in order to gather and track information, provide notifications, and even run certain apps. This month is set to be a strong one for releases and unveilings of smartwatches from a number of brands that have never before had a product in this category.