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Google Wallet showing promising progress

| October 23, 2012

 Google Wallet growing as security issues get resolved

Google is quickly establishing itself as a leader in mobile commerce. Last year, the famed technology company launched the Google Wallet, a mobile payment platform that allows consumers to make purchases using an NFC-enabled smart phone. The platform had a turbulent launch, receiving criticism for its lackluster security features and accessibility, but Google has worked to resolve these issues quickly. Now, the company claims that mobile payments being made with Google Wallet are on the rise and are growing faster than had been accepted.

Mobile payments double in six week period

According to Google, mobile transactions made with Google Wallet have doubled in the six weeks that have passed since the launch of a new cloud-based version of the platform that was introduced on August 1. This version of Google Wallet was designed to address the various security concerns that consumers had with the original platform. Because the platform is now connected to a cloud computing network, the financial information that is used to be stored on a smart phone itself is now stored in a secure digital network. Thus, this information cannot be as easily stolen or exploited.

Slow and steady may win the raceGoogle Wallet

Despite the rapid growth Google Wallet has experienced over the past month or so, Google notes that mobile payments are not going to be an overnight success. The company is gearing up for the long haul, especially as more competitors emerge in the growing mobile commerce field. Google notes that there is still a great deal of work left to do in getting consumers comfortable with NFC technology. Osama Bedier, vice president of Google Wallet and the company’s mobile payments, claims that this is a three-to-five-year effort and that consumers still have a lot of concerns regarding NFC technology and its safety.

Google to clash with Isis

Google’s largest competitor to date, Isis, is expected to launch in a matter of days. The Isis platform boasts of some impressive security features and has managed to garner the backing of most of the world’s major financial institutions. Google Wallet is still struggling to find this support, but has proven rampantly popular with consumers. Isis has proven favorable with businesses, but has yet to enthrall consumers.

Intel demonstrates Perceptual Computing

| October 23, 2012

Conceptual Computing demonstrated by Intel through new videos

In late September, Intel introduced the concept of Perceptual Computing. The acclaimed technology company touched briefly on this concept when it was introduced during the 2012 Intel Developer Forum. Since then, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the prospects of Perceptual Computing, especially concerning its potential to bring some of the more science fiction aspects of augmented reality to life. Intel has released a number of videos demonstrating the capabilities of Perceptual Computing.

Videos provide some insight on capabilities of augmented reality


The videos show off some of the aspects of Perceptual. Computing, highlighting augmented reality experiences that make these capabilities more dynamic and engaging. Augmented reality is a large part of Intel’s plans with this new form of computing and the company is keen to show off how the technology can be used to create new experiences in gaming and entertainment. Perceptual Computing is more than just games, however, Intel notes that this type of computing can finally bring augmented reality into the realm of practicality.

Company driving hype behind new SDK

The videos are meant to drive hype behind the Intel Perceptual Computing SDK, which will provide developers with a chance to develop a new generation of augmented reality applications and systems. SDK comes with advanced motion tracking technology that is highly accurate. This technology could be used to develop a wide variety of gesture-based applications that could serve a variety of industries quite well. Those interested in using the SDK will need a Creative Interactive Gesture Camera, however, which they can apply for through Intel.

Perceptual Computing could make science fiction a reality

Perceptual Computing has a great deal of potential, but its limits are not yet known. By opening up the SDK to the public, Intel is looking to learn and understand the boundaries of Perceptual Computing and augmented reality. Intrepid developers are also likely to find new uses for the technology and produce some practical applications that are very similar to what is often seen in the realm of science fiction.