Author: Julie Campbell

Mobile security gets a boost with “in-air” signatures

| November 25, 2013

A new form of password entry has now been designed to help people who struggle to remember their codes.

Researchers in Taiwan have determined that device and computer users truly dislike passwords, and that they could be replaced with more robust mobile security by allowing a device owner to sign his or her name in the air.

This helps to overcome the problems related to using the same password everywhere or forgetting the many that are kept.

These days, we have so many passwords that it can be very difficult to remember them all. However, if we use the same ones over and over, then if a thief gains access to one, then he or she will also be able to tap into every other account or profile. In the name of online and mobile security, many researchers have been seeking out new ways to allow users to access their accounts while eliminating the drawbacks of using passwords.

The latest technology would provide mobile security through signatures drawn in the air with smartphones.

Mobile Security - AirSig AppComputer scientists named Pokai Chen and Meng-syun Tsai at the NationalChiao Tung University (NCTU) believe that mobile security’s solution to the password problem is to step back to the time in which the only identification that a person ever needed to provide was his or her signature. They have developed an application that allows a user to log in by drawing something distinct – such as a signature – in the air while holding a smartphone.

The name of the app is AirSig, and it has been downloadable at Google Play since September. It received the first price in the Cloud Innovation and Application Contest in October. This competition was held by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan.

The AirSig mobile security app uses a type of gesture recognition technology in order to sense the accuracy of a person’s creation of their signature. It was developed following research conducted by the NCTU team. Although there are a number of other groups that have been investigating this same type of technology in various different parts of the world, it is AirSig that is – by far – the most successful to date.

Mobile marketing at Best Buy for Black Friday to center on SMS

| November 22, 2013

The electronics giant is placing its focus on texting consumers in order to draw them into its stores.

Best Buy is making a number of strong mobile marketing efforts throughout this month in order to help to encourage consumers to head into its stores to take advantage of massive deals on Black Friday.

The electronics chain is hoping that keeping consumers aware of the discount opportunities is key.

Their primary purpose for this mobile marketing is to make sure that its customers remain informed as to the various discount opportunities that will be available in the stores so that they will make the trek to grab hold of these great prices. In this strategy, Best Buy is urging consumers to opt into its SMS database so that they will be able to receive the latest information regarding the opportunities that will be available to them on Black Friday and the entire holiday shopping season.

From that time, shoppers can choose whether or not to continue to receive mobile marketing texts.

Mobile Marketing - Best BuyOnce consumers are already signed up for receiving these holiday specific mobile marketing messages, they can also choose to receive future texts with similar messages. As of the time this article was written, Best Buy’s intention was to provide texts from now until the end of the year to those who have subscribed to the holiday shopping texts.

According to the Iris Mobile CEO and president, Cezar Kolodziej, “Mobile messaging programs like SMS are the preferred channel for reaching customers anytime and anywhere.” He added that “Redemption rates and open rates for mobile messaging are much higher than other channels.” He also explained that this makes mobile marketing through text a “no-brainer” for companies that are looking for a way to communicate directly with consumers at any time, but particularly throughout the holiday shopping season, when the highest number of people are looking to shop and are being deluged by ads and incentives from the competition.

At the moment, the mobile marketing efforts being made by Best Buy are being geared specifically toward shoppers looking for electronics during the holiday season.