Tag: mobile payments

New mobile payments system launched in Beijing

| April 18, 2013

Mobile Payments BeijingAlipay puts a new twist on mobile payments

Alipay, a leading third party online payment solution provider in China, has launched a new payment system in the Beijing Subway. The system is designed to accommodate those interested in mobile payments, allowing them to use their smartphones or tablets to pay for public transit tickets. Such a payment system is nothing new, especially in the realm of public transportation, but the way that Alipay’s system facilitates mobile payments certainly breaks away from the established norm.

System uses sound waves to facilitate payments

Alipay’s mobile payments system uses sound waves in order to facilitate mobile transactions. The system relies on the Alipaw wallet, a digital wallet application that was released in January of this year. The application emits white noise, which is registered by the payment system, which then initiates a transaction. This white noise mechanic was initially meant to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions, but Beijing Subway saw significant promise in the applications capabilities.

Alipay Wallet application heavily influenced by growing demand for mobile commerce services

The new system has been launched in two stations in the Beijing Subway. More systems are expected to be installed throughout the subway network in the near future. Alipay notes that the growing importance of mobile payments in the lives of consumers was a strong inspiration for the development of this new payment system. The Alipay Wallet application is available to both Android and iOS consumers, but the latter group is noted as a major contributor to the development of the application’s sound-based mechanics.

Application meant to make mobile commerce more accommodating to iOS consumers

NFC technology has long been a cornerstone of mobile payments, but this technology is not available for iOS devices due to Apple’s disapproval of the technology. As such, iOS consumers have had to rely on alternatives in order to participate in mobile commerce. The sound-based features of the Alipay Wallet are meant to make it possible for iOS consumers to make mobile payments easily without having to worry about having access to NFC technology.

Mobile commerce most popular among iOS consumers

| April 18, 2013

Mobile Commerce Consumers ChoiceReport highlights division in mobile commerce between iOS and Android

On the surface, mobile commerce encompasses any form of shopping, payment, or banking done on a mobile device. Below the surface, however, mobile commerce is divided into two categories: Those with iOS devices and those with Android devices. While both parties of consumers regularly participate in mobile commerce, those investing in the field are very interested in which party is more active in this realm. Arbitron, a leading media and market research firm, has released a new report highlight which group of consumers has greater representation in mobile commerce.

Mobile commerce activity highest among iOS consumers

According to the report, iOS consumers participate in mobile commerce more than Android consumers. The report notes that mobile shopping is the most popular form of mobile commerce among iOS consumers. Approximate 67.5% of iPhone users, for instance, shop from their mobile devices, whereas 43% of Android users shop from their mobile device. iOS consumers are not only spending more time in mobile commerce, of course, they are also spending more money.

iPhone users spending more time and money in mobile shopping

The report shows that iOS consumers are more likely to be affluent and have access to disposable incomes. The report suggests that the average household income of these consumers is $105,200, compared to the $89,300 average income of Android consumers. iPhone users are also typically younger than Android users and more likely to engage in marketing and impulse purchases. The majority of these users spend their time on eBay and Amazon when shopping, according to the report.

Report could push Apple to take mobile commerce more seriously

The information provided by Arbitron is important for those investing in the mobile commerce field. Firstly, the report offers some insight on what consumer demographic is participating the most in mobile commerce, allowing companies to better target their products. Secondly, the information highlights the growing demand for mobile commerce services coming from iOS consumers, which may encourage Apple to take mobile commerce more seriously in the near future.