Tag: apple mobile payments

Apple may fall behind in Japanese mobile payments

| September 16, 2014

Apple could have trouble engaging consumers in the Japanese market

Apple is having trouble finding traction in the Japanese mobile payments space. The country served as the launch for a pilot project from the company. The project focused on mobile payments, using the iTunes platform as a way to make purchases. Recently, Apple unveiled its new iPhone 6, which will be the company’s first official foray into the field of mobile commerce. In Japan, the device was received with relatively modest interest.

Mobile commerce has been around for more than a decade in Japan

Mobile payments have been around in Japan for more than a decade. The country is often considered to be the birthplace of mobile commerce, largely due to the high adoption of smartphones and other mobile devices among Japanese consumers. As mobile devices became more common, Japanese consumers began to demand new mobile-centric services. As such, businesses began embracing the mobile space and accepting payments that were made from these devices.

Consumers have a great deal of experience with NFC-enabled mobile devices

apple - mobile paymentsMany mobile devices in Japan are equipped with an NFC chip called Felica. This chip was first introduced to the market in 2004 and now has a home in nearly every mobile device sold in the country. The iPhone had been one of the very few devices sold in Japan that did not have a Felica chip installed in it. This will change when the iPhone 6 hits the market, but whether or not it will be able to compete with other, more well established mobile payments platforms is uncertain.

Japanese consumers show modest interest in the iPhone 6 and its capabilities

Japanese consumers have had years to get comfortable with mobile commerce. They have come to expect many things from the mobile platforms that they use on a daily basis and platforms that do not meet these expectations do not last long in the market. Apple has limited experience when it comes to mobile commerce, and this has placed the company in a precarious position when it comes to engaging Japanese consumers.

Apple sets foot into the field of wearable technology

| September 15, 2014

Apple unveils a promising new wearable device that could redefine what people expect when they think of mobile technology

Apple made headlines in the technology world with the unveiling of the Apple Watch, a wearable device that is expected to go on sale in early 2015. According to CEO Tim Cook, the Apple Watch will “redefine what people expect” from wearable technology and the device may well serve as the dawning of a new era in Apple’s device portfolio. The device was revealed alongside Apple’s first official foray into the mobile commerce space with its Apple Pay service.

Apple Watch will support NFC technology and, by extension, mobile payments

The Apple Watch is quite similar to other wearable devices, such as smartwatches, but it includes numerous features that cannot be found elsewhere. Notably, the Watch supports NFC technology, which will allow a user to pay for goods and services using digital information rather than physical currency and other forms of payment. The NFC chip in Watch will also allow the wearer to engage in any interactive marketing campaigns that make use of NFC technology.

Watch will include the features that are common on all iOS devices

Wearable Technology NewsThe Watch will come in two sizes. Both sizes will feature a user interface that is similar to the iPhone. The Watch will also support a wide variety of mobile applications. Many of these apps are already available on the iPhone, but have been refined to function on Watch and make use of its features. All versions of Watch will also be equipped with Siri, as well as the other features that Apple customers have come to expect from their iOS devices.

Wearable technology could become more popular, thanks to Watch

Wearable technology is becoming quite popular, but the devices currently available are somewhat lackluster. Most wearable devices offer nothing that is not already available through conventional mobile technology. As such, the value of these devices is quite limited. The Apple Watch may be one of the first wearable devices to offer something unique and innovative. Whether or not it will be popular among consumers has yet to be seen, of course.