Category: Mobile Payments

Apple’s mobile payments service to launch in UK next month

| June 11, 2015

Apple Pay will be launching in the United Kingdom next month

Apple plans to launch its mobile payments service in the United Kingdom next month and will be linking with the loyalty cards provided by some retailers. The company has established a strong position in the mobile payments space in a relatively short amount of time. Apple Pay launched in the U.S. in October of last year, with the service being supported by a strong partnership with several prominent retailers. The company has been looking to expand its service into new markets, but this process has been relatively slow.

Companies are showing strong support for the mobile payments service

Pinterest and Discover Card will be working with Apple for the launch of Apple Pay in the UK. Apple will also be adding store debit cards to its  mobile payments system, which will allow Apple Pay to be accepted at more than 1 million locations worldwide next month. In the UK, Apple Pay is expected to be accepted at more than 250,000 locations, and will also be used to pay for public transportation services.

UK is becoming a dynamic market for mobile payments

Apple Mobile Payments - UKThe UK has become a very attractive mobile payments market. Many consumers have become enthralled with the concept of mobile transactions, as it is more convenient for them than conventional forms of commerce. Being able to shop online from a mobile device allows people to purchase products wherever they are and at any time, as online stores do not close. This is a trend that is being seen throughout the world. According to a recent study from Forrester Research, global mobile sales are expected to reach $142 billion by 2019.

Apple to compete with other companies operating in the mobile space

Apple will be competing with several other companies that have already managed to establish a foothold in the United Kingdom. Apple Pay has already generated significant hype, with many consumers being excited for the service’s eventual launch in the UK. Merchants have also shown great interest in mobile payments and may see great benefit in supporting the new service from Apple.

Samsung smartwatch will support mobile payments

| June 10, 2015

Samsung plans to launch a new smartwatch later this year

Samsung is planning to launch a smartwatch during the second half of this year and the company has plans to give the device the ability to make mobile payments. The South Korean company has been playing a larger role in the mobile commerce space in recent years and has announced that it will launch its own mobile payments service this year. Samsung Pay is expected to launch in the coming months and may come pre-installed on the company’s new smartwatch.

Wearable devices could become powerful mobile payments tools

Smartwatches are beginning to gain more attention from consumers. These devices function in much the same way that smartphones do, but they can be worn rather than carried. Wearable devices have somewhat limited functionality, but they could become powerful tools in the mobile commerce space. Because smartwatches are worn on the wrist, they are more accessible and can make mobile payments somewhat more convenient for consumers.

Device will come equipped with NFC technology and, possibly, Samsung Pay

Mobile Payments - Support from SamsungThe smartwatch that Samsung intends to launch will make use of NFC technology to make mobile payments possible. This technology allows digital information to be transmitted over short distances. NFC has served as the backbone of the mobile commerce space for several years and is used in many mobile commerce platforms. Some organizations have begun to move away from NFC technology in order to make mobile payments more accessible to those without NFC-enabled devices, but this technology remains the prominent aspect of the mobile commerce world.

Samsung will have to fight to compete with other companies that have established a lead in the mobile commerce space

Samsung has said that it plans to release its new mobile payments service at some point in July, but there is no clear release date at this time. Samsung has not yet announced a release date for its new smartwhatch either. The company is falling somewhat behind its competitors when it comes to mobile payments, but it may manage to catch up if it can provide consumers with an enjoyable and convenient service.