Japanese app developer is beginning to expand its services into mobile commerce
Developers of mobile messaging applications are beginning to push into the mobile commerce space. These apps have won popularity for allowing people to message one another for free, but soon people may be using the apps to pay for goods and services and money transfers. Line is the latest app developer to show interest in the mobile payments space and the company is beginning to develop its own payment platform.
Company has major plans for the future after delaying its initial public offering
Line had plans to launch an initial public offer this year, but these plans have been delayed due to the company’s interests in expanding its services. The Japanese company has plans to develop a ride-share application that is similar to Uber, allowing people to purchase rides from private drivers that are associated with the company. Line is also developing an in-door map service and a food delivery service. The company is also branching into the online music streaming sector, offering mobile consumers a way to listen to music through an app.
Line Pay will allow users to pay for goods and services and transfer money to friends and family
The company is showing particular interest in mobile payments, however, due to the massive revenue potential that the field of digital commerce represents. The Line Pay app, as it is called, will allow users to make payments at convenience stores by linking the app to their bank accounts or credit cards. The app can also be used for money transfers to friends and family. It will also allow users to split restaurant bills easily.
Line will face strong competition in the mobile commerce space
Line will face major competition in the mobile commerce space. The market is currently crowded with a vast number of payment startups that are looking to take advantage of the growing interest consumers have in mobile shopping and payments. Companies like Tencent and Alibaba currently hold a commanding presence in the Asian mobile commerce space, and Line will have to battle these two companies for the favor of consumers.
SnapCar, Uber, and other companies may not be able to take advantage of this tech.
Over the last few weeks, the Assemblée Nationale in France has been host to a highly controversial debate that has been raging on between new forms of urban transportation and the startup companies behind them, and the traditional taxi unions in the country.
The arguments were intense and for a while it felt as though a decision would be nearly impossible.
Thomas Thévenoud was a member of the Assemblée during that time and recently released his report to the startup companies and taxi unions. This report included the details that will come the law over the next few weeks and which include thirty different points. Among them, there remains a great deal of controversy, including that ride sharing programs – such as Chauffeur-Privé, Uber, LeCab, and others – will not be permitted to display relevant geolocation data on smartphones within the country.
The use of geolocation technology has been banned for these ride share programs.
Thévenoud explained that “I want to ban the apps that let you see if there are cars around you.” To that, Dave Ashton, the SnapCar co-founder, expressed that the report, itself, is “quite explosive”. Ashton added that Thévenoud has managed to “lock the use” of the location based technology for startup urban transportation businesses and has proposed that it be allowable only for cab companies.
Ashton also pointed out that he felt that the proposal is “pretty incredible” when it is considered that it was the ride share programs that first introduced the use of geolocation technology for clients and drivers, in the first place. He added that “It’s completely ridiculous”.
That said, Ashton also pointed out that there are a number of parts of the report that will be upsetting to taxi drivers, and that he’s pretty sure that those drivers will “strike immediately. That’s certain.” The reason is that at the moment, as soon as a taxi is called, a driver is allowed to start the meter. Thévenoud is hoping to either end or cap that amount. When calling most ride share programs, such as Uber, the fee for the ride doesn’t start until the passenger is actually in the vehicle.
