COPNI Wave brings NFC to all mobile devices

On Track Innovations, a leading developer of contactless smart card technology, has announced a new version of its popular COPNI platform, called COPNI Wave. The COPNI Wave is being billed as the mobile industry’s first device that can give any existing mobile phone NFC capabilities.  The device could be a big hit amongst consumers that are interested in mobile commerce but do not have access to an NFC-enabled smart phone or tablet. Using the COPNI Wave, these consumers will be able to participate in mobile commerce without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money for a new smart phone.

New devices aims to close the gap between NFC technology and mobile consumers

The COPNI Wave can attach to any mobile device through that device’s headphone jack. Once connected, the COPNI Wave will interface with the mobile device and give it NFC capabilities. With the new attachment, consumers without NFC-enabled smart phones will be able to interact with a wide array of NFC-based content, much of which can be found in interactive advertisements. These consumers will also be able to make payments for goods and services using their phone, provided that they have a mobile commerce application installed.

Lack of NFC-enabled mobile devices may be a problem of the past

With the introduction of the COPNI Wave, On Track Innovations hopes to solve one of the most significant problems facing mobile commerce today. That is the lack of NFC-enabled mobile devices. Because mobile commerce hinges on NFC technology to facilitate payments, those without NFC-enabled phones cannot participate in transactions. NFC-enabled mobile devices are currently rare, making the audience for mobile commerce somewhat limited.

On Track Innovations continues to show major progress in the realm of mobile commerce and NFC

Despite some of the challenges inhibiting widespread adoption, mobile commerce is not considered to be a passing fad. On Track Innovations is keen to stay on the forefront of NFC technology and ensure that it plays a large role in the emerging mobile commerce industry. The company has already solidified its place a a leading provider of NFC solutions in the U.S., thanks to numerous patents awarded to the company from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

China Mobile announces plans to bring mobile commerce to 12 Chinese provinces

China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile network operator, is preparing to rollout its first mobile payments initiative in February 2013. The company has begun stockpiling NFC-enabled smart phones, provided by eight of the world’s largest smart phone manufacturers, in order to prepare for the launch of the initiative next year. The company has announced that it will introduce new NFC services to 12 provinces in China as part of its mobile commerce initiative, making its NFC-enabled mobile devices to consumers at the time of launch.

China Mobile teams with China UnionPay for initiative

The initiative represents a partnership between China Mobile and China UnionPay, a leading commerce network. The two companies are keen to address the growing demand for mobile commerce services coming from China Mobile’s more than 690 million subscribers. These consumers are eager to make purchases for goods and services using their mobile device rather than physical currency or payments cards. The common consensus is that mobile commerce platforms will be a more convenient way to conduct transactions.

NFC-enabled mobile devices to be sold late 2012 and throughout 2013

In 2013, China Mobile aims to sell more than 10 million NFC-enabled mobile devices. Many of these devices will come from Samsung, HTC, Huawei, and ZTE, and will actually be available near the end of 2012. The bulk of these devices will be sold during 2013, alongside the launch of the new mobile commerce initiative. Once the initiative is launched, China will have one of the most expansive mobile commerce infrastructures in the world.

Security precautions still unclear from China Mobile

China Mobile has not yet detailed the security measures it is taking with its mobile commerce initiative. Security remains one of the most significant issues concerning mobile commerce. Without adequate security, consumers will find their financial information at risk of theft and exploitation. In other parts of the world, concerns regarding security have served to stymie the progress of the mobile commerce industry and keep many consumers away from mobile payments entirely.