Latest

Mobile games may spell the fall of consoles

| February 6, 2013

Mobile games versus consolesMobile games gain momentum while consoles begin to lose traction

A storm is brewing in the game industry and everything may come down to a fight between mobile games and consoles. Mobile games have become one of the most favored pastimes that consumers around the world can universally agree upon. The market for mobile games is massive and growing seemingly every day, whereas consoles are beginning to feel the sting of being confined to old technology and their lack of mobility. As the next generation of console gaming approaches, whether consoles will be able to compete with mobile games over the next decade is uncertain.m

Consoles may need to compete with mobile platforms in the future

The future of consoles looks relatively promising, despite the lack of concrete information being released by console titans Microsoft and Sony. Last year, Nintendo releases its highly anticipated WiiU, which features mobile gaming elements and some NFC technology support. Despite some criticisms, the WiiU was generally well received, but consumers have continued to show their preference for mobile games. Both Microsoft and Sony has plans to incorporate mobile gaming elements into their upcoming Xbox 720 and Playstation 4 consoles respectively.

Analysis suggests that 67% of all time spent on mobile devices is devoted to gaming

According to analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center, as well as other groups, approximately 60% of all smart phone and tablet users participate in mobile games. The firm also suggests that 67% of all time spend using a mobile device is devoted to playing mobile games. The traction that these games seem to have among consumers is somewhat higher than that seen with traditional consoles. Many of the tablets on the market today also boast of capabilities that verge on those seen in consoles. While consoles still hold the advantage in terms of technology, tablets are quickly catching up.

Next generation consoles may provide more stability in the game industry

The future of console gaming may hinge on the performance of the Xbox 720 and Playstation 4. That future is somewhat uncertain at present due to the fact that both Microsoft and Sony have very strong interests in the realm of mobile games. Next generation consoles are expected to be well received by gamers around the world, but these same gamers have yet to show any inclination in abandoning mobile games in favor of consoles.

Mobile commerce heating up in the Asia-Pacific market

| February 6, 2013

Mobile commerce in asia pacificMobile commerce becomes a major focus of Asian retailers

Mobile commerce is gaining steam in the Asian Pacific market. The proliferation of smart phones, tablets, and wireless Internet is allowing consumers to move away from their PCs and traditional stores to participate in a new trend that has been emerging in industries all over the world. Euromonitor International, a leading market research and analysis firm, suggests that the growing adoption of mobile technology in the Asia-Pacific region is spurring retailers to delve more seriously into the field of mobile commerce.

Retailers adopting mobile commerce more quickly than those in the West

Retailers in the Asia-Pacific market have been provoked to aggressive action on the matter and have been adopting mobile commerce much more rapidly than those in other markets. Many of these retailers have begun developing mobile applications that allow consumers to shop more effectively from their smart phones and tablets. Euromonitor International expects that the aggressive adoption of mobile commerce among Asian retailers will only continue to pick up momentum in the coming months.

PayPal Singapore anticipates major growth in coming years

This analysis corresponds with that coming from PayPal Asia-Pacific, which suggests that consumers are becoming more apt to use their mobile devices to pay for products. Moreover, these consumers are more likely to spend large sums of money than those that do not participate in mobile commerce. According to PayPal, mobile payments in Singapore came in at $34 million in 2010 and more than $259 million in 2011. PayPal anticipates mobile commerce in Singapore alone will reach $2.4 billion by the end of 2015.

Groupon model proves popular with retailers

Mobile commerce has opened new possibilities for consumers throughout Asia. One of the business models that has become very popular with retailers embracing mobile commerce is allowing consumers to purchase products online and claim their purchase in person or have it otherwise mailed to them. This model was pioneered by Groupon Singapore, which is now being adopted by numerous retailers throughout the market due to its convenience.