Tag: apple

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.

The Fancy finds success through mobile commerce

| November 6, 2012

 

The Fancy gaining momentum as a mobile commerce platform

There is a new social shmobile commerce successopping network that is rising to prominence on the back of mobile commerce. Thing Daemon, a social business company founded in 2010, runs a Pintrest-like shopping website called The Fancy. In late October, The Fancy raised more than $26.4 million from investors interested in the concepts of social and mobile commerce. Thing Daemon also added former American Express vice chairman Ed Gilligan to its board of directors, further boosting its presence as a breakout success in the mobile commerce space.

Users can make purchases through website and application

The Fancy allows consumers to browse an extensive database of objects, compiled by Thing Daemon. Users are able to tag the objects they like so they can be found easily at a later date. When The Fancy first began, it was nothing more than a site where people could share the items they liked. In February 2012, however, all that changed when the ability to purchase items was added to the website and its subsequent mobile application. In a few short months, The Fancy was accounting for more than $10,000 in daily sales. Now, The Fancy is doing $200,000 a week in sales.

Social and mobile commerce proves to be a potent mix

Though this is a small sum when compared to other sites in the same field, such as Fab, a design-oriented sales site, The Fancy has shown how the concepts of social and mobile commerce can lead to resounding and quick success. The Fancy is seeing most of its success in the mobile space, where consumers are eager to share the items they like with friends and family in a way akin to most common social networks.

Amazon and Apple show interest in The Fancy

In the wake of the success surrounding The Fancy, Apple and Amazon began showing extreme interest in the platform. Details concerning how in-depth this interest went have not yet been revealed, but both Amazon and Apple have taken notice of the popularity surrounding mobile commerce. These companies may be looking for a way to bolster their presence in the burgeoning industry and The Fancy may be the ideal platform to do so.