Tag: apple

Sony plans to launch its own mobile payments solution

| October 22, 2015

Sony will be launching FeliCa in Asia

Sony may become the next technology company to become involved in mobile payments. While Sony has no plans to compete with others in the smartphone market, it does have plans to launch its own mobile payments technology in Asia. The company is expected to launch this technology in the public transportation industry of Asia, allowing consumers to use their mobile devices to pay their transit fare. The system that Sony is working on is known as FeliCa.

Mobile payments are expanding throughout Asia

Mobile payments have become very popular in Asia, where many consumers are beginning to use their smartphones and tablets to purchase products and shop online. They are also using their devices to purchase products in physical stores that support mobile transactions. When it comes to public transportation, consumers are looking for more convenient ways to pay their fares, and they smartphones may be the best solution to this issue.

FeliCa will allow consumers to pay for public transit services

Mobile Payments - Sony StoreSony will be rolling out FeliCa in Indonesia as early as next spring. Southeast Asia, in particular, holds a great deal of promise when it comes to mobile payments. The mobile networks of this region are expanding quickly and public transportation services are becoming more advanced. As this trend continues, more consumers are expected to become involved in mobile payments. Supporting mobile transactions may help Sony establish a strong position in the mobile commerce market.

Sony could leverage its experience in mobile payments to compete with other companies

While FeliCa will be the first mobile payments system launched by Sony, the company has actually been involved in mobile commerce for a decade. Chips that facilitate mobile transactions have been used in Hong Kong’s public transportation space, where consumers use this technology to pay for transit services. Sony intends to compete with companies like Apple and Samsung which have already launched their own mobile payments platforms. These two companies have already established a lead in the mobile commerce market, but Sony may be able to leverage its expertise and prove to be a challenge to both these companies.

Apple may bring its mobile payments service to China

| October 6, 2015

China is becoming an attractive mobile payments market for Apple

Apple is looking to bring its new mobile payments service to China, which has become a very powerful mobile shopping market. The company has officially launched Apple Pay in the United Kingdom, hoping for the country to be the first success in its gradual progression into other countries with its mobile payments plans. Apple has been considering breaking into the Chinese market since May of this year, when the company began speaking to Alibaba and several Chinese banks.

Apple may soon begin to compete with Alibaba

Earlier this year, it appeared that Apple had intended to partner with Alipay, Alibaba’s mobile payments unit. No official announcement have been made to this effect, however, and Apple may opt to partner directly with banks instead, which may be quite complicated. Alibaba will be a formidable competitor for Apple, however, as the company has already established a very powerful position in the Chinese’s financial sector. Alibaba is one of the largest retailers in the country and has beaten out many others when it comes to mobile payments.

Chinese consumers have a great deal of love for mobile payments

Mobile Payments - Apple and ChinaMobile payments have become quite important for consumers in China. Many consumers have begun to rely on their mobile devices to get their shopping done, as this represents a more convenient way to purchase products. A growing number of retailers in China are beginning to support mobile payments in their physical stores, which is something that many consumers have been demanding for some time.

Competition in China expected to grow in coming years

Competition in China’s mobile payments space is relatively low, largely due to companies like Alibaba establishing a massive market share. This is expected to change in the coming years, however, as more companies begin showing interest in the mobile market. Apple, in particular, believes that China could be a very prominent opportunity for its mobile payments endeavors. Apple has already expressed interest in the Chinese market, but has yet to unveil any specific plans to bring Apple Pay to the country.