Tag: mobile commerce

For many owners of these and tablet devices, use is now a vital part of the buying experience.

The results of a new survey from Perception Research Services International has shown that 76 percent of smartphone owners will use mobile commerce in some way through a smartphone or tablet before they make a purchase of electrics, apparel, and grocery products.

The survey also discovered the specific reasons that these devices are used while shopping.

Smartphone and tablet owners use mobile commerce in a number of different ways as they debate buying various products. In fact, much of the influence from the devices is not for a direct purchase that is actually made online over the device. Instead, it is a part of the overall process from the point that the product is identified and onward.

Mobile commerce, therefore, plays a multichannel role in the road to buying one or several items.

Among the other mobile commerce discoveries that were made by the researchers include the following:

• 53 percent of smartphone owners compare prices through the use of the device.
• 49 percent of the survey’s respondents said that they use their devices to read customer reviews.
• 48 percent of these tablet and smartphone owners use the device to find coupons, sales, and other discount opportunities.
• 48 percent use the devices to seek out additional information about products.
• 37 percent head to a manufacturer’s site in order to obtain more product information.
• 34 percent use the device to seek out the opinion of a friend or family member.
• 31 percent actually make the product or service purchase through a mobile commerce site or app.
• 31 percent take part in a contest.
• 17 percent use the device to view a product demonstration.

The shopper research company, Perception Research Services International, looked into mobile commerce in order to help with merchandizing and packaging systems improvements. The survey involved the participation of 1,450 adults in the United States who were responsible for a minimum of half of the grocery shopping in their household. Among them, just over half (54 percent) owned a smartphone.

Microsoft rumors hint at future Xbox devices

There have been rumors circulating concerning Microsoft’s plans for the future of console gaming. The famed technology company has been stirring the proverbial pot with vague news regarding the Xbox 720, the next generation gaming console that is expected to be released at some point in 2013. Much of the information that surrounds the new console comes in the form of rumor, however, and the nature of rumors means that some of this information is able to garner a significant amount of attention.

Mobile gaming catches the eye of Microsoft

It is no secret that Microsoft has invested heavily in the mobile technology sector. The company is behind Windows Phone, after all. Microsoft’s interest in this sector expands beyond just mobile devices, however, as the company has a keen focus on mobile gaming. Rumors suggest that Microsoft is gearing to take its interest in mobile devices and gaming to the next level with the development of an Xbox tablet and Xbox smart phone.

Xbox tablet may be in the works

If the rumors are accurate, the Xbox tablet could be another avenue through which Microsoft engages mobile consumers. The company has already hinted at the possibility of incorporating mobile devices into the Xbox platform through the introduction of Smart Glass. The Xbox 720 may have profound support for mobile devices, such as tablets, that could allow the platform to provide gamers with a wide assortment of mobile games that they can take wherever they go. The tablet may also be able to play games that have traditionally been exclusive to the console platform.

Company may be developing new smart phone with Xbox capabilities

Microsoft is already known to be working on a new smart phone that it plans to enter into the market within the next few years. The device is referred to as the Surface Phone and will boast of various features that may make it competitive in the current market. Whether it will have Xbox capabilities has yet to be confirmed, but Microsoft has shown some interest in incorporating a smart phone device into the Xbox platform.