Tag: Apple Watch

Wearable technology may be advancing mobile payments

Retailers may need to change their strategies to engage consumers more effectively

Apple has released its new wearable device, called the Watch, and many consumers have shown interest in the product. Though Apple Watch has received criticism for its expensive nature, many consumers have found the device useful, especially because it can be used to make mobile payments. While consumers may be showing favor in Watch, retailers may have to revise their marketing strategies in order to better engage mobile consumers with this device.

Micro-moments are becoming more important to retailers

Julie Ask of Forrester Research suggests that retailers need to focus on “micro-moments” when it comes to Apple Watch. The micro-moments are times when consumers interact with mobile devices. These interactions tend to be short-lived, as consumers often check their devices to see social media updates and access their email accounts. Advertisements could be quite effective if  they are situated in these micro-moments, as consumers will be exposed to these ads when they check their mobile devices, including wearable devices.

Consumers are showing greater interest in mobile payments

Mobile Payments and Wearable TechnologyConsumers are becoming increasingly interested in mobile payments, which is a trend that is making micro-moments more important. If retailers can effectively leverage these moments to their advantage, they may establish a much stronger position in the mobile market. They will have to change their marketing strategies, however, if they want to engage mobile consumers, especially those with wearable devices. These consumers tend to be somewhat resistant to traditional marketing endeavors, but their attention is often capture by mobile-centric strategies that take note of the importance of mobile technology.

Wearable technology could drive further growth in the mobile payments space

According to a recent report from Forrester Research, 40% of online consumers are tired of pulling out their smartphones to make a purchase. As such, wearable devices are becoming more popular. These devices act in much the same way that conventional smartphones do and have the ability to make mobile payments. Consumers are aligning themselves with wearable technology quite readily, which could lead to significant growth in the wearable sector in the coming years.

Swatch may be entering the mobile payments space

Swatch to introduce a new wearable device in the coming months

Swiss watchmaker Swatch has plans to sell an affordable wearable device that is capable of making mobile payments. The company has been showing more interest in wearable technology, especially as others begin developing such devices for the consumer market. Swatch is no stranger to wearable technology, as watches are a form of such technology themselves, but the company has not yet build what could be called a “smartphone worn on the wrist.”

New device will have mobile payments capabilities, supported by NFC technology

Swatch is expected to unveil its wearable device in either July or August of this year. The company believes that it will compete with Apple Watch, which was released in April. The device will be called the Swatch New Gent watch and will come equipped with NFC technology. NFC currently makes up much of the mobile payments infrastructure, serving as the tool that many platforms use in order to make mobile transactions possible.

Swatch may compete with Apple with its inexpensive wearable device

Mobile Payments - SwatchOne of the attractive features of the new wearable device is its pricing point. Swatch CEO Nick Hayek claims that the least expensive iterations of the new watch will cost approximately $5.49, a far cry from the $349 price tag of the least expensive Apple Watch. More advanced versions of Swatch’s watch will be more expensive, but not by much. The low price of the device could make the watch more attractive to consumers that are interested in wearable technology.

Swatch is forming partnerships to make its efforts in the mobile payments space a success

Swatch claims to be entering into a major deal with a global credit card company to bring its mobile payments interests into a reality. The company is also considering adding NFC capabilities to its other brands, but has not offered any details concerning this plan. The company may soon become a prominent player in the mobile payments space, if its plans with its wearable device move forward without trouble.