Tag: mobile payments

Google Wallet continues to struggle in mobile commerce sector

| June 13, 2013

Wallet has yet to find traction in mobile commerce

Google has been a big name in the mobile commerce space, but not necessarily a well-loved name. The company’s Wallet platform, which exists to facilitate mobile payments, has been the recipient of harsh criticism since its launch. The early days of Google Wallet were plagued by serious security issues that drove many consumers to other mobile commerce platforms. While these issues were ultimately resolved, Wallet experienced other hardships that made it unpopular with consumers, with companies like Verizon refusing to support the mobile commerce platform for various reasons.

Google continues to invest in Wallet platform

Google may have a strong interest in mobile commerce, but the company has not been able to find any significant traction in this sector. Google has invested more than $300 million into the Wallet platform, which also includes the acquisition of companies that had specialized in application development and mobile commerce. The company has also devoted more than 100 developers to focus solely on the Wallet platform. Despite this support, the Wallet has only seen 10 million downloads worldwide, a very low number in the mobile space.

Google Wallet - Mobile CommerceWallet fails to enthrall consumers

One of the reasons that Google Wallet has not become the dominating force in the mobile commerce space has to do with U.S. telecommunications companies. Few of these companies are interested in supporting the Wallet due to the other alternatives that are available. Lack of support means less exposure with consumers, which means that fewer people even know that Google Wallet exists. In the case of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, these companies have teamed together to launch their own mobile commerce platform called Isis, which has thus far proven to be somewhat more popular than the Wallet despite a very limited release.

Google may abandon Wallet platform, eventually

The Google Wallet was once considered by Google to be the key to mobile commerce success, but the platform has become a serious money sink for the company. It is uncertain how long Google will continue to devote money to the Wallet platform, but the company has not yet shown any signs of abandoning its mobile commerce endeavors.

Mobile commerce is growing among tablet and smartphone owners

| June 12, 2013

Data highlights growth of mobile commerce in the US

Mobile commerce has become a major interest for many companies around the world. Consumers are becoming more comfortable with the idea of paying for goods and services with nothing more than a mobile device, which has lead companies to become more inclusive when it comes to the matter of mobile commerce. In order to understand why companies are showing so much interest in mobile payments, one must understand how many people, in the U.S. alone, own and use mobile devices regularly.

Studies show growth in tablet ownership

The Pew Research Center has teamed with the U.S. Census Bureau to release a number of studies concerning smartphone and tablet ownership as well as how these devices are used by consumers. These studies are part of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. According to the data contained in these studies, 34% of U.S. adults own a tablet device. This figure rose by 18% in May of 2012 as tablets began growing more popular in the mobile commerce field.

U.S. Mobile Commerce - Tablet GrowthTablets appeal to those interest in mobile commerce

Tablets are often considered more useful in mobile commerce than smartphones. This is due to the fact that tablets allow for a more comprehensive online shopping experience. Smartphones feature small screens than tablet devices, making it difficult to navigate some e-commerce sites. Tablets allow for more control in the mobile shopping experience, and an enjoyable experience is often enough to ensure than consumers continue participating in mobile commerce.

Mobile commerce expected to continue growing

The studies show that smartphone owners still outnumber those with tablets, but consumers favoring either device still show strong interest in mobile commerce. Both devices are heavily used for purposes such as social networking and entertainment, with mobile commerce showing strong growth over the past two years. Mobile commerce is expected to continue gaining momentum as consumers continue to grow more comfortable with making payments on their mobile devices.