Apple’s CEO has placed the spotlight back on the ability to complete transactions with iOS devices.
Tim Cook, the chief executive at Apple, recently dropped some hints regarding a mobile payments strategy for the iPhone manufacturer, as well as for the use of the Touch ID feature that was recently added to their mobile devices.
Though this was clearly not an announcement, it was certainly a hint about things to come.
Cook linked the idea of mobile payments with the Touch ID system technology that is included in the latest smartphone releases from Apple. When he held a conference call with analysts, discussing the earnings of the company, he stated that this is sector “we’ve been intrigued with,” and added that “It was one of the thoughts behind Touch ID.”
The feature was unveiled as a security enhancement but could also provide mobile payments verification.
The TouchID until now has been meant for making it easy and convenient to unlock the iPhones without having to enter a password. That said, ever since it was first seen, there have been speculations made regarding its potential use for verifying an individual’s identity if the device is used for making a purchase.
That said, Apple has not yet given any other online merchants the opportunity to use the device for making verifications of purchases. It has also not provided access to the fingerprint scanner of Touch ID to third parties. Equally, it hasn’t provided third party access to the Secure Enclave verification computing resources from A7 for any other reasons.
During the conference call, Cook did say that there has been a positive response from the public to the existing form of Touch ID functionality. He expressed that Apple is seeing that people enjoy being able to use it for verification in order to make purchases from the iTunes store. He said that they have been watching people liking the opportunity to purchase content ranging from books to music and movies. His description of the purchases using Touch ID was “incredibly simple and easy and elegant.”
More specifically, he did go as far as to say that in terms of mobile payments, “It’s clear that there’s a lot of opportunity here.”
Company has plans to continue adapting to changes in the mobile world
T-Mobile has offered mobile devices to U.S. consumers for several years. The company has competed with others in the telecommunications sector by providing nearly identical services that consumers have either fund to be of little value or too expensive for their taste. As the mobile landscape has changed, however, T-Mobile has been positioning itself to play a larger role in the lives of its customers, both current and future. The company has done away with the service contracts that are common among its competitors while also offering to pay the termination fee associated with these contracts for anyone wishing to find a new mobile service provider. Now, the company is looking to establish a stronger presence in the mobile commerce field.
T-Mobile seeks to expand beyond Isis
T-Mobile has already entered into the mobile commerce space through Isis. Along with AT&T and Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile has invested heavily in the Isis platform, which has managed to acquire the support of most of the country’s major financial organizations as well as consumers. While Isis boasts of a great deal of promise, T-Mobile has plans that extend beyond that platform. The company has recently unveiled its Mobile Money service, which seeks to provide consumers with a new way to manage their finances.
Mobile Money service is available for free to T-Mobile customers
The Mobile Money service combines the use of a mobile application with a branded, prepaid Visa card. The service has no fees associated with it and provides consumers with a way to pay for products using their mobile device or a branded card. The service also allows consumers to add money to their prepaid Visa card by taking a picture of a check. The card itself can be used to withdraw funds from more than 42,000 ATMs located throughout the country. All of the service’s features have no fees and there is no minimum balance requirements associated with the branded Visa card.
Mobile commerce begins to play a bigger role in the lives of consumers
T-Mobile has plans to establish itself as a leader in the mobile field, and this involves establishing a stronger presence when it comes to commerce. In the past, the mobile space was primarily concerned with communication. As technology has advanced, however, consumers have begun using their mobile devices for shopping and managing their finances. T-Mobile is keen to adapt with the changes occurring in the mobile sector so that it can remain relevant to consumers.
