Tag: mobile technology

Mobile payments firm embraces the iBeacon

| June 20, 2014

LevelUp begins incorporating iBeacon into its overarching mobile commerce platform

LevelUp, a mobile payments firm that leverages QR codes as a powerful commerce tool, has announced that it has begun integrating Apple’s iBeacon into its platform. The iBeacon is gaining ground as a mobile commerce tool because it serves as a sort of alternative to NFC and similar technologies. The iBeacon utilizes Bluetooth technology to alert consumers of special deals being offered by retailers as soon as they enter a physical store. The service can also be used for a wide range of marketing and commerce initiatives.

LevelUp finds success through its use of Apple’s iBeacon

LevelUp added support for the iBeacon to its platform last month, but has only begun promoting this technology aggressively recently. During the initial testing of the iBeacon, retailers using the technology alongside the LevelUp platform reported a 22% increase in consumer spending. LevelUp notes that the transactions coming from its “lapsed” user base increased by an average of 63%. The introduction of the iBeacon technology into LevelUp’s platform has been well received among those that are using the platform.

The iBeacon could soon become one of the strongest mobile commerce tools available to businesses

mobile payments firm embraces mobile commerce toolThe iBeacon allows retailers to instantaneously engage thousands of consumers in a single store with special offers. The technology can easily notify consumers of when a loyalty reward is available to them and those using the iBeacon can access these rewards quite easily. The technology is meant to add more convenience to mobile commerce while offering those using it a better way to engage consumers in an effective manner. The iBeacon currently serves as one of Apple’s most promising mobile commerce tools, but the technology itself has yet to see extensive use in the retail sector.

iBeacon allows businesses to keep track of consumer behavior and adapt accordingly

Beyond providing some convenience to consumers interested in mobile payments, the iBeacon also allows businesses to keep track of information concerning consumer behavior. This information can be used for marketing purposes or help retailers better cater to consumers that are becoming quite reliant on mobile technology.

Amazon device may solidify company’s stance in mobile commerce

| June 18, 2014

Amazon may unveil its new smartphone later this week

Amazon is expected to make a major announcement this week, and some believe that the company will unveil its own smartphone. Amazon’s mobile device has existed as a rumor for some time, but the company had confirmed that it was, indeed, developing a smartphone back in 2012. Given Amazon’s strong following, the device could become a major competitor for other smartphones currently on the market. The device could also further solidify Amazon’s powerful stance in the mobile commerce market.

New device will be equipped with innovative technologies and have features specific to mobile commerce

Relatively little information is known for sure about the forthcoming Amazon device, but it is expected to have the ability to display 3D images. It is expected have motion detection cameras and facial recognition technology as well. The smartphone is likely to boast of major e-commerce features that support mobile payments, with the Amazon application serving as the device’s default mobile shopping platform.

Amazon device may serve to disrupt the current mobile market

Mobile Commerce New Smartphone - AmazonThe Amazon device could disrupt the current mobile market, which is primarily dominated by both Apple and Google. The iOS and Android platforms account for the vast majority of the market currently and the competition between the two companies has not produced much innovation in recent years. Amazon may be relatively new to the mobile market, but the company has already succeeded in disrupting some of the competition and trends that had existed in mobile commerce. Amazon has established itself as a powerful name in mobile shopping and this position may be further strengthened by its new device.

Competition with Apple and Google may prove to be a difficult task

Amazon will, of course, face strong competition from both Google and Apple. Both of these companies have a strong following that is quite devout. As such, it could be difficult for Amazon to sway consumers away from the companies behind their favorite mobile operating systems. Given the fact that new smartphones can also be quite expensive, consumers may opt to wait for a year or more before considering purchasing Amazon’s device.