Tag: mobile commerce

AllJoyn aims to spark innovation in NFC applications

Prolific technology company Qualcomm has been revealed as a sponsor in the AllJoyn app contest, which is part of the company’s continuing campaign to spark innovation in the world of mobile applications. The contest tasks app developed to create new software using the AllJoyn platform, an open-source framework that allows for peer-to-peer interaction. Qualcomm has sponsored the contest with $170,000, which will be awarded to the developer that creates the most innovative mobile application for the competition.

AllJoyn platform provides framework for NFC apps

The AllJoyn platform facilitates device-to-device communications through the use of NFC technology. As part of the competition, app developers are encouraged to create new applications that make use of NFC technology is some way. The most common use of NFC technology lies in the realm of mobile commerce, where the technology is often used to facilitate transactions. NFC has seen some use in marketing, but Qualcomm is eager to see the boundaries of the technology pushed beyond its conventional uses.

NFC holds potential as data transfer mechanism

NFC technology holds a great deal of potential for wireless data transfer. Some companies have been using the technology to allow consumers to control electronic appliances without having to physically touch them. NFC chips have also been used to memorize the personal preferences of a consumer, thus activating an electronic device according to the parameters established by a consumer when the chip is activated by a mobile device. Qualcomm expects to see a wide variety of NFC-based applications come from the AllJoyn competition.

Availability of NFC-enabled devices still low

One of the largest problems facing NFC technology is the relative scarcity of NFC-enabled mobile devices. Telecommunications companies are eager to introduce new smart phones with NFC capabilities in order to capitalize on the booming interest surrounding mobile commerce, but the majority of these products are not expected to be released very soon. Without NFC-enabled mobile devices, the use of NFC applications is expected to be severely limited.

Snapdeal has released a new “brand stores” concept for mobile businesses.

India’s largest online shopping site, Snapdeal, has just announced the launch of its “brand stores” concept, which will give retailers the opportunity to create their own e- and mcommerce store on the company’s site.

This is expected to boost sales by 50 percent over the next year.

The company has set a goal of approximately $120 million (Rs 600 crore) in revenue for its current fiscal year. However, at the same time, it has high hopes for its mcommerce results, believing that about half of the purchases that will be made on the website will have been made through the mobile platform within the upcoming two years.

The Snapdeal brand store works to help many offline and local retailers to step into mcommerce.

It gives those businesses the opportunity to reach the rapidly growing number of online shoppers. According to the CEO and founder of Snapdeal.com, Kunal Bahl, “Brands will be able to decide the look and feel of their page, customise product selection, manage promotions and exclusive launches.”

Though the companies will be able to take part in the brand stores part of the website for free, according to Bahl, there will be a revenue-share model that will be based upon the sale of the goods.

Currently, there are approximately 3,000 businesses that are already taking part in the brand stores element of the Snapdeal website. The company is also in negotiations with around 2,000 more businesses, which they hope will “be onboard soon.” Bahl stated that “We plans to have 10,000 brand stores in the next 12 months.”

Snapdeal is viewing the brand stores as a concept that brings with it a very large opportunity in both e- and mcommerce. Bahl added that he believes that the concept will only continue to grow, and with it, innovations will build alongside. He stated that a number of brands, including those that are quite big, have not yet established their own online presence. Many don’t have the capability or the in-house expertise for the back end operations of such a venture, such as the payment requirements and the logistics. It is in this space that the company is hoping to make the biggest mark.