Tag: mobile commerce news

Google may bring mobile payments support to Maps

| November 19, 2015

Google Maps may have mobile payments functionality in the future

Google continues to make moves in the mobile payments space, working to introduce a new feature into Google Maps that will allow consumers to make purchases through the service. Many people use Google Maps for directions, but they have also begun to use the service to find local stores. An updated version of Google Maps will include mobile payments support, something that a growing number of consumers have been asking for over the past several months.

New update for Google Maps is being tested

The update is still in early development, with Google testing a variety of new features that could make Google Maps more valuable to consumers. One of these features involves finding out gas prices at local stations. Another will include additional information concerning hotels, allowing consumers to determine whether or not certain amenities are available at a hotel they may be interested in. Google is looking to incorporate Android Pay into Maps, allowing consumers to make purchases directly from the service. Such purchases would likely be hotel stays or, potentially, making a payment in advance for products offered at physical stores.

Google continues to move ever deeper into the mobile payments space

Mobile Payments - Google MapsGoogle has been involved in the mobile payments space for some time, having initially supported mobile transactions through Google Wallet. The Wallet service is still available, working alongside Android Pay, but Wallet is relatively unpopular among consumers. Android Pay, however, is quickly becoming a favorite with those that are interested in mobile payments. The service has proven to be quite convenient, allowing consumers to make purchases whenever they please. The service is also receiving strong support from retailers that wish to engage mobile consumers more effectively.

Maps may be an underrated mobile payments platform

Google Maps is a massively popular service, but relatively few people consider its potential as a mobile payments platform. Whether or not Google will actually introduce mobile payments support to Maps is still undetermined. The company has, however, been showing a great deal of support for mobile payments in recent years, believing that this sector will see magnificent growth in the coming years.

Apple could find a foothold in mobile payments through its Cloud

| November 18, 2015

Apple Pay could become a more powerful platform with the help of the Cloud

Apple may benefit by shifting its mobile payments platform, Apple Pay, to the Cloud. Apple Pay was launched late last year and quickly managed to gain support from Apple fans. According to Apple, the mobile payments platform has more than 1 million users, though a relatively small number of these consumers are actually using the platform to purchase products online and in physical stores. Connecting the platform to Apple’s powerful Cloud could lead to some benefits for the payment service.

Competition is forcing Apple to look for new ways to engage mobile consumers

Apple is facing growing competition from various companies that are interested in mobile payments. These companies want to establish a foothold in this sector and some have already launched their own mobile payments services. In order to beat the competition, Apple will have to find new ways to engage consumers and provide them with valuable services. Shifting to a cloud-based service may provide Apple Pay with a fighting edge against the competition, as it would lead to several benefits.

Cloud integration could ensure consumer loyalty and provide better payment services

Mobile Payments - Cloud TechnologyOne of the benefits of migrating Apple Pay to the Cloud would be customer loyalty. A recent survey found that approximately 5% of iPhone owners use Apple Pay regularly, with some preferring to use traditional forms of commerce. The Cloud may also be able to introduce a wide range of value-added services, such as allowing consumers to store digital receipts for record keeping purposes. Notably, the Cloud could also lead to a smarter Apple Pay, one which can learn from the shopping habits of its user and offer a better mobile payments experience.

Apple Pay has had trouble effectively engaging consumers

While Apple has taken a strong interest in mobile payments, the company’s payments service has struggled to find mainstream success. Apple Pay’s initial launch was supported by a wide range of retailers and banks, but these organizations are beginning to show strong favor for other payment services, largely because they do not charge fees like Apple Pay does. Mobile payments have yet to attract the favor of the majority of consumers as well, with many preferring traditional forms of payment.