Category: Featured News

ABI Research predicts major growth in mobile payments

| October 22, 2012

 ABI Research releases new report concerning growth of NFC-based mobile payments

NFC-based mobile payments are expected to see a massive boom in the coming years, according to a new report from ABI Research. Mobile commerce has been growing in popularity with consumers, leading many to believe that mobile payments are far more convenient than traditional forms of commerce. Consumers are gaining access to a growing variety of NFC-enabled mobile devices, which is boosting their exposure to mobile commerce. ABI Research predicts that this exposure will drive growth behind the burgeoning industry.

Report shows growth despite concerns regarding NFC technology

According to the firm’s report, the total value of NFC-based mobile payments will reach $100 billion by 2016. This prediction accounts for the swelling tide of criticism that has been directed at NFC technology recently. Critics of the technology claim that it is not safe enough for mobile commerce, with others suggesting that it is simply not capable of handling the needs Mobile Payments Growth Trendof consumers. While some of these concerns have slowed the progress of the mobile commerce industry, which is heavily based on NFC technology, ABI Research expects that the industry will continue to grow well into the future.

Predictions may be derailed by new technologies and platforms

The report shows that NFC-based mobile payments are currently valued at $4 billion for this year. ABI Research estimates that this will blossom to $191 billion by the end of 2017. After this point, mobile commerce may see its progress and expansion slow somewhat, but continue to grow nonetheless. It is possible for this prediction to be derailed due to the emergence of a new technology or mobile payment platform that does not use NFC technology, a prospect that is becoming more possible with every passing day.

More companies beginning to look for alternative to NFC technology

Because of the problems associated with NFC technology, companies that are interested in mobile commerce, such as PayPal and Apple, are developing their own platforms for mobile payments. These companies are forgoing the use of NFC technology to allow consumers to make payments with mobile devices in a different way. If these technologies manage to capture the interest of consumers at large, the growth of NFC-based mobile payments may turn out very different than what ABI Research predicts.

Metaio introduces updates SDK

| October 22, 2012

 Metaio brings new updates to SDK, showing off new technologies and techniques for developers

Metaio, one of the world’s leading developers of augmented reality technology, has introduced a new update to its SDK. The company’s development kit has become rampantly popular with software developers interested in making use of augmented reality and introducing this technology into applications. As augmented reality becomes more popular, Metaio is looking to ensure that its SDK retains a high place in the affections of developers around the world. As such, the company has introduced a variety of new features to the platform.

Platform includes new SLAM technology

Metaio has introduced an updated SDK powered by a new iteration of its Augmented Reality Experience Language (AREL). This language provides for more dynamic control of augmented reality components during development stages. The new SDK also includes an updated Metaio Creator platform, an augmented reality desktop publishing tool for users with limited technical experience. Advanced camera technologies are also included in the new SDK, along with support of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology.

SLAM allows mapping of large physical space

Metaio has produced a number of videos to demonstrate the capabilities of the updated SDK. Metaio has taken time to focus on the new SLAM techniques used by the SDK to improve mapping and produce more robust augmented reality experiences. This new technology allows the Metaio SDK to produce augmented reality content on large physical spaces, providing more flexibility for developers that want to stretch the boundaries of the technology.

New SDK may help push the boundaries of augmented reality

With the updates SDK, Metaio believes developers will have a better time creating high quality and immersive augmented reality experiences. Metaio continues to be a powerful name in the augmented reality business, service as a platform for dynamic digital content and showing that augmented reality can become much more than a novelty technology that is used only in advertising or gaming.