Author: Stephen

PayPal turns to QR codes for mobile commerce venture

| November 16, 2012

 

PayPal sets sights on QR codes

Commerce giant PaQR Codes Mobile Commerce NewsyPal continues to look for ways to engage the ever growing mobile consumer population. The company has had a keen interest in mobile commerce for some time, and has been eager to offer services to consumers that are interested in making payments using their mobile devices. Initially, PayPal had plans to make use of NFC technology to provide these services to consumers. The technology proved to be less than ideal for the company. Now, PayPal is setting its sights on QR codes.

Codes beginning to see traction in mobile commerce

QR codes are most often used in advertising as a way to provide consumers with information on products. The codes can be scanned by simple barcode scanning applications, making them easily accessible to consumers. Recently, QR codes have been getting more attention for their possible uses in mobile commerce. Retail companies, such as the UK’s Tesco, have begun experimenting with the codes in so called “pop-up” stores — virtual stores that use QR codes to sell products.

PayPal campaign to use QR codes in shop windows

PayPal is set to launch a new mobile commerce pilot project in Amsterdam that revolves around QR codes. The project will take place in the shopping district, De 9 Straatjes. More than 30 retailers that are located in this district have teamed with PayPal for the initiative. These stores will serve as host to QR codes that will be placed in shop windows. When these codes are scanned, consumers are directed to a mobile website where they can see all the products the store offers. Consumers can then purchase their desired products through PayPal and have their purchase mailed to their home.

Company expects mobile commerce to become more popular

PayPal has an acute interest in mobile commerce and believes that mobile technology will be play a major role in the lives of consumers, especially where spending money is concerned. Already, many consumers have become reliant on their mobile devices to pay bills and search for products online. PayPal expects that this trend will gain momentum in the coming years.

Esquire launches new augmented reality campaign

| November 14, 2012

 

Augmented Reality shoppingEsquire campaign combines augmented reality with mobile commerce

Augmented reality is widely used as entertainment for tech-savvy consumers, or as a marketing tool to engage these people. These are not the only uses for the technology, however, and it is beginning to gain traction in the realm of mobile commerce and shopping. Popular magazine Esquire has taken note of the capabilities of augmented reality, both in terms of marketing and commerce, and has decided to introduce the technology into its November 20 issue.

Mobile app lets readers participate in mobile shopping

Using an iOS application called Netpage, Esquire readers can scan every photo, advertisement, and article that is found in the latest issue to initiate an augmented reality experience. When scanned, a PDF version of the content will be saved to a reader’s mobile device. This content can be easily shared and, in some cases, can be used to initiate shopping experiences. Though Esquire boasts of a digital edition made for the iPad, this marks the first time the publication has chosen to make use of augmented reality as an integration medium for smart phones and other mobile devices.

Augmented reality used by retailers for similar endeavors

This is not the first time augmented reality has been used for shopping. Retailers have been using the technology, sparingly, as a way to engage mobile consumers. Augmented reality mirrors — applications that allow consumers to try on virtual clothing — have been used by some retailers that specialize in fashion. The technology has proven somewhat popular in terms of shopping because of its ability to provide consumers with dynamic, context sensitive information.

Esquire campaign may boost interest in mobile commerce and augmented reality

The mobile shopping implications of the new initiative from Esquire could help bolster interest in augmented reality and the technology’s use in the field of mobile commerce. For now, however, the technology is likely to remain within the realm of marketing and entertainment, though that may change at some point in the future.