Author: Stephen

Google’s mobile payments service could launch in a matter of days

| August 27, 2015

Android Pay may be on the way sooner than expected

Google may have plans to launch its new mobile payments service, Android Pay, sooner than expected. According to a notice sent to some of Android Pay’s retail partners, such as McDonald’s, employees are being trained to understand what mobile payments are and how to assist customers making such transactions. These notices suggest that Android Pay will actually become available on August 26 or very shortly thereafter, but there is no telling whether or not Google’s new service will find success.

Google has had trouble with mobile payments in the past

Google already has a position in the mobile payments market, having launched its first platform, Google Wallet, some years ago. The Wallet platform experienced a turbulent launch, with some security issues leaving consumers wary of the concept of mobile transactions. Google has been working to improve the Wallet service and it has begun to generate momentum among consumers, but the company may be showing more priority for Android Pay in the future. Google does not have plans to kill its Wallet service, however, and both services are likely to work alongside one another.

Android Pay already has significant support

Google Mobile PaymentsAndroid Pay already has significant support in many parts of the United States. Once launched, the service will be accepted in more than 700,000 stores throughout the country. Transactions and financial information will be protected by biometric technology, with a user’s fingerprint serving as the key that unlocks the mobile payments service.

Google will have to fight Apple and Samsung in order to find success in the mobile payments field

Google will be competing directly with both Samsung and Apple, both of whom have their own mobile payments services. Apple has, perhaps, established a more formidable foothold in the market, as its payment service was launched last year and has already attracted significant consumer support. Apple plans to launch its service in the United Kingdom in the near future. Samsung is currently testing its own payment service in South Korea, with plans to launch the service at some point later this year.

Mobile apps are exploding in India

| August 25, 2015

Indian consumers are showing their love for mobile apps

Mobile app usage in India is exploding. More consumers are beginning to use a variety of application in their daily lives, with these apps ranging from shopping platforms to social media tools and everything in between. At the recent Apps India conference, mobile experts noted that app usage was increasing due to growing smartphone penetration and the growing interest that consumers have in mobile commerce. As the country’s mobile Internet continues to expand, more consumers are likely to make use of mobile applications as well.

Growing mobile Internet usage is leading more consumers to use mobile apps

Consumers accessing the Internet through their mobile devices are most likely to use applications, especially when it comes to shopping online. Mobile shopping apps have become quite popular among consumers as these applications provide an enjoyable and convenient shopping experience. Notably, educational apps are also becoming more prominent among consumers, as these applications provide consumers with an opportunity to learn new things at their convenience.

App economy is having an impact on India’s economy

Mobile Apps ExplosionGrowing app usage has also had a positive impact on India’s economy. The app economy has created approximately 75,000 direct jobs throughout the country with the potential to create some 600,000 direct jobs over the coming years. Retailers have also found significant success in the mobile space through their focus on mobile commerce. Mobile shopping applications have made it possible for consumers to shop with their smartphones and tablets in a more convenient way and this has lead to higher revenues for some retailers.

More than 9 billion apps to be downloaded this year

The number of consumers using mobile apps has increased significantly over the past year. Approximately 9 billion mobile apps will be downloaded throughout the country by the end of this year, which is more than five times the number of apps that were downloaded in 2012. This is presenting app developers with very promising opportunities that they can take advantage of to engage consumers and provide them with tools and services that they could be interested in.