Axiom sets sights on security for mobile payments and beyond
Axiom Telecom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the Middle East, has announced an exclusive partnership with NQ Mobile, a leading developer of security software. Through this partnership, Axiom aims to provide more protection to its Android customers, especially when it comes to the issue of mobile payments. Mobile payments are growing in popularity in the Middle East, especially among affluent consumers in the United Arab Emirates. Security, however, is a major concern for many as their financial information could be at risk of theft and exploitation.
NQ Mobile Security available to Axiom Android customers
Through this new partnership, Axiom Android customers will be able to take advantage of NQ Mobile Security, one of NQ Mobile’s most popular security offerings. This security suite will come pre-loaded on all new Android devices sold by Axiom. Consumers that already have Android devices through Axiom will be able to access the security suite in order to protect their mobile devices from the various threats that exist in the digital world. The suite protects a mobile device against malware, spyware, phishing attempts, viruses, hacking, and other threats that could access a consumer’s information.
Mobile payments continue to face significant threats
As mobile payments become more common, the threats that exist in the digital world are becoming more pronounced. These threats are gaining more attention because of the dangers they pose to a consumer’s financial information. NQ Mobile notes that the number of threats specifically targeting the mobile commerce sector is on the rise and that there is no sign of these threats diminishing any time soon. In order to protect a user’s financial information, the NQ Mobile Security suite also features an anti-theft and anti-loss service. This service will locate, lock, and terminate the digital information that is stored on a mobile device if it is reported as lost or stolen. The device will also sound an alarm in order to signal that it has been stolen.
Axiom seeks to spread awareness of mobile security
Axiom is working to bring more security to the mobile world. Awareness concerning mobile security, especially in regards to mobile payments, is somewhat lacking in the mobile space. Axiom is hoping to address this issue through awareness and by making robust security solutions more available to consumers.
Mobile commerce finds strong growth in mobile applications
Mobile applications are beginning to play a major role in mobile commerce. These applications are starting to serve as adequate replacements for NFC technology, allowing more consumers to participate in mobile commerce than ever before. Canalys, a leading market research firm, has released a new report highlighting the growth of mobile applications and the role they are beginning to play in the adoption and expansion of mobile commerce. The report suggests that mobile commerce could come to replace traditional online shopping methods in the near future.
Report highlights performance of mobile applications
According to the report, downloads of mobile applications grew by 11% in the first quarter of 2013. Approximately 13 billion apps were downloaded during that quarter. Many of these applications offered mobile commerce services or some kind of in-app purchase opportunity. Together, these applications accounted for $2.2 billion in paid downloads and in-app purchases during the first quarter, a 9% increase over the previous quarter. The report suggests that the growing popularity of mobile applications, as well as their increasing value, is largely due to the convenience these applications offer, especially in regards to mobile commerce.
Mobile everything is becoming the favored solution for consumers
More consumers are showing favor for using their mobile devices for daily activities, such as online searches, shopping, and engaging in social networks. Mobile services typically offer consumers a range of opportunities to make in-app purchase, either by unlocking additional features for an application or simply purchasing a product through that application. Canalys estimates that the growing popularity of these applications will push the download mark to over 20 billion by the end of this year and that these applications will account for $3.1 billion in revenue.
Mobile commerce still facing several challenges
Canalys notes that the mobile commerce market is still immature and is difficult to measure accurately. There are several challenges that mobile commerce faces that could put a damper on the markets promising future. The most significant of these challenges is security, which is growing more important as consumers begin to understand how much their financial information could be at risk. The continued growth of mobile commerce will also be largely dependent on the social and economic impact it will have. A negative impact will cause the support for mobile commerce to all but evaporate, while a positive impact will encourage more consumers to get involved.
