Author: Stephen

Mobile payments on the rise in Brazil

| May 25, 2013

mobile payments BrazilBrazil sees strong growth in the realm of mobile payments

Mobile payments have been picking up steam in Brazil. The Brazilian government has been taking steps toward making mobile payments more commonplace and has been introducing measures that may help regulate the mobile commerce field. Brazil’s Ministry of Communications has been noting the sharp rise in use of mobile devices over the past year. According to the agency, mobile technology penetration throughout the country is powering the growing popularity of mobile payments.

Government moves to regulate mobile commerce

The Ministry of Communication expects that more than 130 million mobile devices will be used to make mobile payments in the next two years. There are currently 260 million of these devices in operation throughout the country. The Brazilian government has begun showing strong interest in supporting the growth of mobile wallets, which can be used by consumers to store and use financial information with their smartphones and tablets. These wallets exist as applications that can be installed on a mobile device and have proven quite popular within the mobile commerce space.

Central Bank to develop regulatory roadmap for mobile payments

While mobile payments are on the rise in Brazil, the country still lacks a comprehensive regulatory structure to govern this growing sector. The Brazilian Central Bank has 180 days to develop a regulatory roadmap that will manage the emerging mobile commerce field and address the various security concerns that exist therein. Bank officials have noted that one of their top priorities is to ensure that mobile payments are universally accepted, allowing all consumers the ability to participate in mobile commerce if they so choose.

Security considered a top priority

Security is also considered a top priority, from a regulatory standpoint. Mobile commerce has long been plagued with security concerns that have slowed its adoption. Because mobile commerce involves the use of financial information through a mobile device, it is often considered insecure by nature. Indeed, mobile devices are quickly becoming ideal targets for hackers due to the financial information they are beginning to store and how this information is being used to initiate mobile payments.

Mobile games prove lucrative for Microsoft

| May 23, 2013

Microsoft sees promise in mobile games

Mobile games have become a very prominent part of the game industry. Developers and publishers around the world are beginning to put a great deal of their focus on the mobile space, hopping to tap into a very active and lucrative market. While consoles remain a powerful force in the game industry, mobile games are beginning to establish a strong foothold among gamers, both casual and hardcore alike. For Microsoft, mobile platforms are beginning to represent a significant portion of the company’s revenue.

15% of revenue generated from mobile games

Microsoft has long been a formidable force in the game industry. Not only is the company responsible for the Windows operating system, which is the most popular platform for computer games, it is also responsible for the acclaimed Xbox consoles. Rumors suggest that Microsoft is planning to unveil its next generation Xbox in the coming weeks, but the console is not likely to derail the attraction of the mobile space, especially as the company reports that 15% of its revenue is coming from mobile games.

Microsoft likely to remain focused on consoles and PCLucrative Microsoft Mobile Games

According to Microsoft, mobile games on smartphones and tablets generate some $10 billion annually for the company. The performance of mobile games has been enough to pull Microsoft’s attention further into the mobile space, but the company will not be abandoning its place in console gaming. The company still considers consoles to be the most lucrative market for games, especially as consoles represent 42% of the company’s revenue. PC revenue comes in at $12 billion, which is likely enough to keep Microsoft strongly focused on PC gaming as well.

Competition in mobile space is heating up

Microsoft plans to push forward with its mobile games. The company is expected to face significant competition from other game industry giants, like Sony and Nintendo, which are also showing interest in mobile games. Even small, independent development studios could begin competing with Microsoft due to the nature of mobile games and the favor that consumers show for developers.