Google confronted with the problems of NFC technology
Despite the growing popularity surrounding mobile commerce, NFC technology has hit a rough patch in the global community. Mobile commerce relies heavily on NFC technology in order to function adequately. While the technology has proven very capable of facilitating mobile payments, it has run afoul of security groups and consumers who consider the technology to be a liability to their financial information. Google is one of the many companies that has invested heavily into NFC technology and now has to confront the question of whether they will be able to find profit in doing so.
Google Wallet has yet to impress consumers
NFC technology has seen a great deal of success amongst businesses. The technology has attracted investments and support largely because of its potential in the realm of mobile commerce. NFC often finds a home in mobile applications called mobile wallets. These platforms enable consumers with smart phones and other mobile devices to make payments using the financial information stored by the platform. Last year, Google launched the Google Wallet, which brought NFC-based mobile payments to a wide range of consumers. The platform was not well received by many, however.
Security fumbles at launch leave consumers leery
Google Wallet was plagued with problems at its launch. The platform even fell victim to simple “brute force” hacking, which could have put the financial information of consumers at serious risk. Google has since bolstered the security features of its mobile commerce platform, but the company’s initial security blunders cost it the favor of many consumers. Consumers around the world have begun showing a great deal of reluctance concerning mobile commerce, largely because of the lackluster security they are seeing from he companies involved in the burgeoning industry.
Google has time to see success from Wallet platform
Google has not yet seen return on its investment in the Google Wallet. The company has a profit margin of 22% and an operating margin of 28%, so Google has some time to spare before it has to take action and address the performance of the mobile commerce platform. Google Wallet is not the only venture in mobile commerce that Google is currently involved in, but it may become the company’s flagship if it can overcome the problems it is facing.
NFC technology not so easily exploited when it is turned off
NFC technology is becoming a more common feature in mobile devices. The technology is used often in mobile commerce and advertising as a way to facilitate convenient services and reach out to consumers. For these purposes, NFC technology has proven itself quite effective. The technology is, however, exposed to the risk of exploitation from hackers. It is also a major drain on a smart phone’s battery, especially if it is used for mobile commerce and social networking.
Turning off NFC could save battery power
For those with NFC-enabled Android mobile devices, turning off NFC technology is fairly simple. Those that do not conduct mobile payments or engage in data exchange regularly can actually see some major benefits from turning off the NFC capabilities of their mobile device when they do not plan to use them. Turning off the NFC technology embedded in the phone can help reduce the strain on the mobile device’s batter, allowing it to remain charged for a significantly longer period of time. Turning of NFC connectivity can actually make a mobile device
much safer as well.
Security boost through turning off NFC
NFC technology is quickly becoming notorious for the lackluster security features that are native to it. The technology is completely benign in the sense that it does not have robust security features or any glaring security faults that could put a user’s information at risk. The applications and services that rely on NFC technology, however, do have some serious security shortfalls that do put this information at risk. When consumers do not plan to make use of these applications and services, turning off the NFC capabilities of their mobile device may help mitigate the risks associated with mobile commerce and other NFC-based services.
Battery mileage varies from device to device, but security still a serious issue
The impact NFC technology has on the life of a battery is highly dependent on the mobile device in which the technology is installed. Personal tests are advised for those that want to get a better understanding of what the technology will do to the battery of their own device. Because NFC technology works at very short range, the security implications can often be overblown. Nonetheless, the security issues inherent with many NFC services and applications are still cause for concern and consumer should take steps to protect themselves.
