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Flomio introduces FloCase for the iPhone

| November 19, 2012

 

Flomio takes feedback from Kickstarter to develop new NFC device for the iPhone

Flomio, a technology and moFlomino NFC Mobile Marketing Commercebile commerce startup based in Florida, attracted attention last month when it announced it was working to bring NFC technology to the iOS platform. Earlier this year, rumors suggested that Apple’s new iPhone 5 would be equipped with NFC technology that would allow consumers to participate in mobile commerce. This was not the case, and Apple has been harshly criticized for its decision to abandon NFC technology. This has, however, created an opportunity for companies like Flomio to bring the technology to the platf0orm.

FloCase inspired by feedback from supporters

Flomio has been working on a product called the FloJack, which can be plugged into an iPhone and provide it with NFC capabilities. The company turned to popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to get the financial backing it needed for the project. Once on Kickstarter, however, the project began to evolve thanks to the feedback Flomio received. Now, the company has introduced the FloCase, a new way to provide the iPhone with NFC capabilities.

FloCase gives the iPhone NFC capabilities

The FloCase is designed as a simple, yet sturdy case for the iPhone. The case itself is equipped with an NFC chip that will allow the iPhone to send and receive NFC transmissions. With this case, iPhone owners can participate in mobile commerce, as long as they have a mobile wallet application installed on their smart phone. They will also be able to participate in marketing, sales, and entertainment campaigns that make use of the technology.

Flomio not the first to build an NFC-enabled case for smart phones

Flomio is not the first company to develop an NFC-enabled case for smart phones. The iPhone device is not the only smart phone that does not include NFC technology, thus other companies have developed cases for the myriad devices that have no NFC capabilities. This has helped spread the prevalence of mobile commerce by making mobile transactions much more convenient to those that do not have access to NFC-enabled mobile devices.

National Cyber Security Alliance survey highlights mobile security

| November 19, 2012

 

National Cyber Security Alliance predicts consumers becoming more concerned over security

Black Friday is widely known mobile securityas a day when retailers offer major deals and discounts on a wide variety of products. As the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday is the most important day in the retail industry, in terms of business. The following Monday is known as Cyber Monday, largely due to the fact that a wide range of electronics go on sale in a move that is very similar to what occurs in the retail industry on Black Friday. A new survey from the National Cyber Security Alliances and McAfee suggests that these two shopping holidays could mean major security issues for consumers.

Data breaches leave many consumers leery of mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is expected to play a major role in t his year’s holiday shopping. More consumers have access to smart phones and other mobile devices as well as mobile payment platforms that make it easier to purchase goods. These platforms could be a major boon for some shoppers that have trouble finding the products they want, or those than want to avoid long lines and make a purchase quickly and efficiently. The survey from the National Cyber Security Alliance shows that the vast majority of these consumers do not feel safe while they are online on their mobile devices, however.

National Cyber Security Alliance survey shows majority of consumers do not feel safe online

The survey notes that 90% of mobile consumers do not feel safe when shopping online through their mobile device. The National Cyber Security Alliance notes that over the past year, one in four consumers received notifications from businesses that informed them that their personal information has been lost of compromised due to data breach. These data breaches have left many consumers wary of online shopping and mobile commerce. While many consumers are still inclined to participate in mobile commerce, the survey suggests that these consumers should take steps to ensure their information is protected.

Consumers can take steps to protect their information

There are several ways consumers can keep their financial information safe without relying on other companies to do all the work for them. One way is to ensure that a smart phones or mobile device is free from all malicious content. This can be done using anti-virus software that is made specifically for mobile devices. Keeping an eye on what kind of information companies collect through mobile transactions is also a good way to know what information may be put at risk. Consumers can control what information they share, thus mitigating any risk they may face.