Tag: mobile technology

Havok to break into mobile games

| March 29, 2013

Havok breaks into mobile gamesHavok considers mobile games part of gaming’s future

Mobile devices have begun to play a major role in the game industry. Mobile games have become one of the most lucrative sectors of the industry, even cutting into console sales and other hardware. Game developers are beginning to take the mobile space more seriously as a result, with many studios that had once been devoted exclusively to consoles have begun creating games for mobile platforms. Havok, creators of the most widely used graphics engine in the game industry, is one among several in its industry that is beginning to consider mobile as the future of gaming.

Company aims to sidestep technological constraints of mobile platforms

The Havok Engine is used in most of today’s most popular games, whether they are on a console or on a PC. Havok is not used for mobile games, however, due to the fact that it is not designed for mobile platforms. Smartphones and tablets are very different from consoles. While the technology that separates these platforms from one another is very similar, mobile devices are typically less capable of handling games and high-demand software than consoles are. Thus, mobile devices are simply incompatible with the Havok Engine. That does not stop Havok from making an entry into the mobile space, of course.

Project Anarchy to bring 3D to mobile games

This week, Havok has announced its Project Anarchy initiative. Project Anarchy is a 3D graphics engine designed specifically for mobile games. The engine will allow developers to create high fidelity 3D mobile games, which are currently a rarity in the game industry. The vast majority of mobile games are 2D, leveraging a cartoonish style to appeal to young consumers and be more accessible to various mobile platforms. While 2D styles have been well received among consumers, Havok believes that mobile technology has reached a point where mobile games can enter into a new generation.

Project Anarchy will be available for free

Project Anarchy boasts of a wide range of features that can help make a visually impressive game, but the most notable aspect of the engine is that it is free. Havok has no intention of charging developers to use the Project Anarchy engine. This immediately makes it accessible to independent developers that are not backed by a large budget, as typical graphics engines are excessively expensive.

Mobile payments reach new heights for Starbucks

| March 28, 2013

Starbucks Mobile PaymentsStarbucks reports spike in mobile payments

Over the past two years, Starbucks has been slowly increasing its mobile presence. The company has seen a marked increase in mobile traffic as more consumers begin to visit its website from mobile devices, but a relatively new trend shows that consumers are becoming more inclined to pay for purchases using their smartphones and tablets. Starbucks has reported a sharp increase in mobile payments over the past year, claiming that the company has reached a major milestone in the realm of mobile commerce.

Company continues to focus on mobile sector

According to Starbucks, more than three million mobile payments are made for the company’s products every week in the U.S. The company suggests that mobile payments are so popular with consumers because they represent a more convenient way to pay for goods. Many consumers that frequent Starbucks have mobile devices of some kind, making them more apt to make a payment using their smartphone or tablet. Starbucks suggests that doing so may be a matter of prestige, as mobile payments are considered somewhat exclusive due to the lack of comprehensive mobile commerce services in several industries.

New global initiative expected to be launched by Starbucks

Backed by the strong growth of mobile commerce, Starbucks has announced plans to launch a new cross-channel, multi-brand loyalty initiative that will cover the globe. The initiative is meant to highlight the social aspects of Starbucks and provide more value to business partnerships around the world. Mobile payments are expected to play some role in the initiative as Starbucks looks to promote mobile commerce outside of the U.S.

US is not only country where mobile payments are gaining momentum

While Starbucks has seen major growth in mobile payments in its home country, the U.S. is not the only place where mobile commerce is taking off. The United Kingdom and Asian Pacific markets are home to aggressive growth in the mobile commerce sector. This growth is largely due to a growing population that can afford smartphones and tablets as well as the introduction of easy-to-use mobile commerce services in several countries.