Category: Mobile Payments

Apple may be ready for mobile payments with new iPhone 6

| June 10, 2014

New report highlights the features of the upcoming iPhone 6

New information concerning the iPhone 6 has been released in a report from Venture Beat. The information comes from an as yet unidentified source that claims to have inside knowledge concerning Apple’s operations. The report adds fuel to the already widespread rumors concerning the forthcoming iPhone 6, such as its operating system, and its viability in mobile payments. Notably, the report suggests that the new iPhone will be equipped with NFC technology, which is something Apple has avoided in the past.

New iPhone to finally support NFC technology

According to the report, the iPhone 6 will support NFC technology. Apple had been leery of the technology in the past because of security concerns regarding mobile payments. These concerns seem to have been allayed, however, as the company now believes that NFC may be suitable for a new form of commerce. The technology will allow the iPhone 6 to facilitate mobile payments and support a variety of mobile wallets and similar applications.

Mobile security may be less of an issue thanks to biometric technology

Mobile Payments - iPhoneThe report notes that the iPhone 6 is slated for launch in fall of this year and will be equipped with the iOS 8 operating system. The device will feature wireless charging technology, a bigger and more durable screen, and several other hardware upgrades over its predecessor. The device will also be equipped with Apple’s new biometric sensors, which may be why the company is so keen to support NFC technology as biometrics will help made mobile payments more secure.

Apple finds a solution to its security concerns regarding mobile payments and consumer protection

Apple had opted not to rush into the emerging mobile money scene in order to avoid the pitfalls that other large companies have fallen victim to. Security has been a major issue in the mobile space and large companies have failed to find ways to sidestep some simple problems when it comes to providing consumers with protection against exploitation. With biometric technology, Apple may have found a way to alleviate the security problem.

UK retailers are falling behind when it comes to mobile commerce and consumer engagement

| June 9, 2014

Mobile consumers are not getting enough attention from UK retailers

As consumers in the United Kingdom become more interested in mobile shopping, retailers may be falling behind in their ability to accommodate this change in consumer behavior. A new report from Skava highlights this fact, showing that many of the country’s top retailers are not effectively engaging mobile consumers. This is largely due to the fact that these retailers have not optimized themselves for the mobile world. Their websites, including e-commerce gateways, are not suited for use on mobile devices, which makes them somewhat unattractive to mobile consumers and lowers their performance in mobile commerce.

Many top retailers are not optimized for the mobile space

According to the report, 24% of the United Kingdom’s top 100 retailers are not mobile optimized. These retailers are finding it difficult to engage a mobile audience that is becoming larger and more influential by the day. The mobile space now accounts for 20% of all e-commerce traffic, but retailers that are not optimized for mobile are missing out on this traffic and potential sales. For many retailers, whether mobile commerce has any importance is a matter of debate, with some of the largest retailers suggesting that the mobile space is nothing more than a passing novelty.

Argos finds success in embracing mobile consumers

UK mobile commerce - FailArgos, one of the United Kingdom’s leading retailers, generated nearly $800 million in mobile sales in 2013. The retailer has been seeing a steady rise in mobile commerce sales over the past few years and have begun to engage mobile consumers more aggressively as a result. The retailer has taken steps to ensure that it its mobile friendly, changing its website and e-commerce services to be more accommodating to smartphones and tablets.

Poor mobile services leave consumers with a sour experience

Poorly designed mobile commerce services have a negative effect on consumers when it comes to the mobile shopping experience. A poor experience can prevent a consumer from making use of a particular service in the future or simply make it impossible for people to actually pay for products that they are interested in when shopping online.