Author: Lucy

Mcommerce consumers are nearly as happy as those using desktops

| March 4, 2013

Mcommerce desktopA new report from Foresee has shown that survey participants are almost equally satisfied with the channels.

According to the results of a survey that was performed by Foresee and that were just released in a report by that firm, consumers are becoming increasingly satisfied with mcommerce, to the point that it is approaching the levels felt by desktop shoppers.

The survey was designed to look into the satisfaction felt by visitors to forty of the largest U.K. mobile retailers.

The survey examined the progress of this mcommerce trend over both retail websites and apps in the United Kingdom since 2010. In an area where the average satisfaction score for sites on the regular web in the U.K. was 74 out of a possible 100 points, mobile wasn’t very far behind at all, having received an average experience score of 72.

The difference between mcommerce and desktop has been steadily shrinking over the years.

In fact, over the last three years, that difference has been falling at a rapid rate, from having been five points to its current position at two points. The outcome of the survey has raised two potential possibilities. These are that shoppers are either becoming more accustomed to mcommerce and are therefore naturally feeling more satisfied by their experience over that channel, or retailers have been paying attention to consumer behaviors and have been evolving to improve the mobile experience that they provide.

The report suggested that it is likely a combination of those two factors. That said, whatever the cause, consumers are indeed feeling happier with the mcommerce experience that the leading retailers have to offer. At the same time, it is also implying that businesses that are not providing any mobile platform are possibly missing out on a tremendous opportunity to reach consumers in an area where those shoppers are feeling increasingly comfortable.

The research placed the spotlight on the fact that most online shopping remains on the standard web, using desktops and laptops, as opposed to mcommerce. Eighty seven percent of the respondents used a home computer for shopping online. Only 12 percent shopped with a smartphone and only 9 percent used a tablet.

QR code plush toys add a whole new level to a snuggly

| March 2, 2013

Stuffed animals with barcodes can bring an entirely different experience to children.

A new line of plush toys has just been released with a QR code printed on their tummies, and are about to hit the market shelves in the hopes of attracting consumers with smartphones.

These stuffed animals are designed for both boys and girls and are meant for ages 5 and older.

They have been called “Scanimalz” and are created to combine three different things that children love, in order to attempt to provide the ideal toy. These three features are: snuggly toys, playing games on devices such as smartphones, and collecting. The manufacturers feel that this is a truly winning combination. It aligns with the current trends of bringing mobile devices and toys together, as is the case in the increasing number of augmented reality toy experiences.

Using the QR code toys is very easy through a free app that can be downloaded onto a mobile device.

The Scanimalz app can be downloaded into a smartphone or tablet, where an account can be created to register the toys. The QR code on the belly of each toy that has been collected can then be scanned to add to the digital collection and make it quick and easy to play games. There are a number of different games that can be played, to help to keep the experience new and interesting.

The games through the Scanimalz app allows the user to collect points as well as to win prizes. A player’s odds for winning increase with each additional animal QR code that is added to the collection. Parents should likely be cautioned that there are more than thirty different animal toys, so there may be some challenges ahead in terms of a child’s desire to continue collecting.

After the account has been created, it takes only a QR code scan in order to automatically launch the games. An added feature allows the user to post scores online and compete for top ranking with the points that have been collected. Animal options include pandas, dogs, pigs, bears, penguins and many others. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.