Mobile commerce efforts may be enhanced with StackMob
PayPal has announced its acquisition of StackMob, a technology development firm with a focus on the mobile sector. The move is expected to improve PayPal’s already considerably presence in the mobile space by giving the company access to innovative tools that have been developed by StackMob. These tools may serve well in PayPal’s ongoing competition in the mobile commerce space. The company is currently vying for the attention of mobile consumers against firms like Square, Google, and Amazon, all of which also have a strong interest in mobile commerce.
Firm shows promise, but lacks financial backing
In 2011, StackMob was able to raise $7.5 million in funding from various investment groups. Despite the firm’s apparent popularity, it had been struggling with raising additional funds through other initiatives. Yahoo reportedly had shown interest in the firm, but did not make a move for acquisition. The firm’s 18 employees will now be incorporated into PayPal, where they will likely work on various mobile projects and help the company compete more fiercely in the mobile commerce field.
Recent acquisitions may give PayPal an edge
PayPal recently acquired Braintree Payment Solutions, which is behind some of the most innovative and popular mobile commerce solutions in the market. Braintree is expected to help PayPal appeal more to merchants and consumers alike with its mobile-centric services and StackMob may be able to augment these services with its expertise and the tools it is bringing to PayPal.
Mobile commerce competition heats up
Competition in the mobile commerce field is quite aggressive. Large companies like Google and Amazon have a strong presence in the sector and are pushing to establish absolute dominance therein. PayPal has the benefit of being tethered to eBay, however, which already has a formidable mobile presence. Backed by recent acquisitions, PayPal may be able to compete with large companies on its own while also providing some benefits to eBay.
PayPal application may triumph in the mobile commerce sector thanks to new update
PayPal has issued a major update for its mobile commerce application that may help it edge out the competition from other mobile wallets. The PayPal application has long existed as a way to allow consumers to manage their financial information from the mobile device. Previous versions of the application did allow for transactions, but PayPal has been taking steps to ensure that the application can provide consumers with more comprehensive mobile commerce services. The new update introduces several new features to the application that may make it one of the most robust platforms currently available.
App equipped with new, innovative features
The application features a new user interface that is designed to be more convenient for users. Those using the application to make a purchase can now take advantage of PayPal’s “Bill Me Later” financing option as well, providing more flexibility when it comes to mobile payments. PayPal has also taken steps to make the in-store mobile purchase process more efficient. Consumers will be able to use the application to pay for products in physical stores more easily than they could with previous versions of the app.
Features allow users to find local stores that support mobile commerce
PayPal has also introduced a new feature simply called “Shop” to the application. Shop allows users to find local restaurants and stores that accept mobile payments. The application also allows users to change the way they pay for products as they please. Users can opt to use their PayPal balance or make use of a credit card or bank account that has been linked to the application as well. The application also allows consumers to place and pay for orders from restaurants that support mobile commerce. This same feature allows consumers to pay for these orders when they receive their meals.
PayPal may establish strong lead with updated app
PayPal has already established a strong presence in the mobile commerce field, but the company has yet position itself as the clear leader in this sector. There are a multitude of mobile commerce services available to consumers today, and this abundance of options means that no single platform has managed to win the favor of the majority of people in any given market. PayPal has designed its updated application in order to tackle this issue.
