Tag: mcommerce

The Apple voice controlled service has been linked to movie times and locations as well as ticket selling.

The latest surprise technology news from Apple Inc. has included a new feature for moviegoers, as the latest iOS operating system (version 6.1) has included a new connection between Siri and the Fandango m-commerce app.

When asking about movies currently playing in the theater, Siri displays show times and nearby theaters.

Apple mobile device users with Siri voice technology personal assistant will be able to ask about the latest movies that are playing so that they can receive information about the films and local theaters that are playing them. Should they wish to purchase their tickets, they can do so through Fandango’s online ticket seller m-commerce app.

The Fandango m-commerce application is opened directly by Siri so that the tickets can be purchased.

If the app is not yet installed on the Apple device, the user will be prompted by Siri to perform the download so that the tickets can be purchased through m-commerce. The tickets can be purchased in a paperless way and stored within the Passbook mobile wallet. That produces a QR code which can be displayed to the ticket takers on the mobile device screen, and then scanned to allow entry.

According to the Fandango president, Paul Yanover, “Fandango is committed to innovating across all platforms and helping shape the future of moviegoing.” He added that “With this new Siri feature, movie fans can quickly and easily discover the nearest theaters, find the most convenient showtimes, and buy tickets through Fandango to help make movie night perfect.”

What is not yet known is whether or not there is financial benefit provided to Apple out of this partnership with Fandango. The company has been asked whether it is taking a percentage of the Siri generated movie ticket sales, for instance. However, both Fandango and Apple have not provided any answers or information on the financial nature of the relationship.

Fandango did release a statement by way of their vice president of mobile strategy, Mark Young, in terms of the m-commerce connection with Apple. He stated that “We have been working closely with Apple since our first iPhone app in 2009.” Young later added that “…given the popularity of Apple devices, the iPhone and iPad are certainly a top priority for Fandango”

JC Penny moving up the mobile commerce ladder

The retail industry has come to embrace mobile commerce and several of the largest retailers have been seeing major gains from doing so. J.C. Penny is one such company. Over the past several months, the company has been introducing new mobile commerce services and updating its e-commerce site to become more accommodating of mobile consumers. The retailer has been working its way up the Keynote Mobile Commerce Performance Index, which tracks the m-commerce performance of various companies.

Improvements to e-commerce site boost momentum behind retailer

J.C. Penny has been steadily moving up the index over the past several months due to the success it has been seeing in its various mobile commerce ventures. The retailer has been making improvements to its e-commerce site to improve the site’s load times. Load times are a very important, yet widely ignore aspect of m-commerce in the retail industry. During the 2012 holiday season, retailers were targeted by harsh criticism for the slow load times of their e-commerce sites. Slow load times translated into loss of mobile transactions.

JC Penny breaks into top-10 ranking in terms of mobile commerce

The retailer has broken into the top-10 companies ranked by the Mobile Commerce Performance Index. Office Depot holds the top rank in the index, thanks to the company’s ambitious mobile commerce ventures and the attention it has paid to providing an enjoyable experience through its e-commerce site. J.C. Penny will have to continue making improvements to its own site in order to continue climbing the index.

Retail industry to continue embracing mobile commerce

Mobile commerce has become a very strong force in the retail industry. Early last year, retailers were leery of m-commerce, unconvinced of the prospects that the trend represented. Despite some caution, retailers embraced mobile commerce for the holiday season, and saw mobile transactions far exceed what they had been expecting. Indeed, mobile commerce helped make the 2012 holiday season significantly more prosperous than that of the previous year.