Tag: google wallet

Apple could be testing mobile payments service in Japan

| July 17, 2014

Apple launches new service for iOS users in Japan

Apple may be testing its mobile payments platform in Japan. The famed technology company has launched a new service for Japanese iPhone and iPod users. The services is called iTunes Pass and is associated with the iTunes Store, the App Store, and the iBookstore. The service will allow people to use their financial data to pay for products on Apple’s various store platforms. This could be the beginning of a much larger mobile payments initiative from Apple.

Company retains its strong interest in mobile payments and shopping

Apple has had a strong interest in mobile payments for some time. The company has, however, been quite cautious when it comes to entering into the mobile money space. This is due to the large number of similar companies that have fallen prey to the digital threats that exist in the mobile world. Google, for instance, encountered serious security issues with the initial launch of its Wallet platform, which stymied its attraction to those interested in mobile shopping and payments. Apple is keen to avoid such issues.

iTunes Pass is designed as a high tech substitute for physical gift cards

Apple - Mobile Payments JapanCurrently, the iTunes Pass service is designed to serve as a replacement for physical gift cards. Digital versions of these gift cards can be stored in the Passbook application, which is Apple’s version of a mobile wallet. Gift cards stored in Passbook can be accessed by iTunes Pass, allowing those that own these gift card the ability to use them to purchase goods from Apple’s digital stores.

Rumors suggest that the iPhone 6 will have mobile payments capabilities, but such features are not yet set in stone

Apple has taken a slow approach to the mobile payments space. For the past two years, rumors concerning the company’s entry into the field of digital commerce have largely been centered around new versions of the company’s iPhone device or its iOS operating system. Current rumors suggest that the iPhone 6 will mark Apple’s official entry into the mobile payments arena, but whether or not this will be will the case has yet to be seen.

Mobile payments field is growing more competitive

| June 17, 2014

Mobile commerce platforms are beginning to be held to a higher standard

Mobile commerce may be growing in popularity, but that also means that it is coming under more aggressive scrutiny. Consumers are becoming less inclined to accommodate mobile platforms that are inherently flawed and lack appropriate security and convenience features. As such, a growing number of mobile payment platforms that had sought success in the mobile field are beginning to suffer from the fact that many consumers are simply no longer willing to justify their use of faulty products.

Large platforms manage to overcome some of the more serious issues plaguing mobile commerce

Large mobile platforms like Isis and Google Wallet have managed to sidestep some scrutiny due to their strong backing from major companies and the fact that they have either avoided falling prey to serious flaws or fixed their flaws in early stages of their launch. Smaller platforms, however, are finding it difficult to establish traction with consumers. Some of the platforms come from retailers and other businesses that are eager to enter into the mobile commerce space. This eagerness has produced some lackluster mobile payments services that have not done well among consumers.

Report highlights ambitious platforms that solve real problems

Mobile Payments CompetitionPlatforms from small organizations are not doomed to fail, of course. A recent report from Kristina Yee of M4 Associates, highlights five platforms that could find success in the mobile space. Cardis is noted in the report as being capable of tackling the problem of microtransactions. Cardis aims to allow merchants to offer goods at a low price to consumers by reducing transaction fees. Bitpay is another service that aims to create a bridge between digital and physical currencies without attempting to make physical currencies obsolete.

Smaller organizations are feeling the need to resolve problematic issues

Small organizations are beginning to understand that they need to take steps to address real problems t hat exist in the mobile space rather than simply make mobile commerce more available. These organizations are beginning to focus on improving mobile commerce security and accessibility while also providing solutions that resolve some of the issues that exist in traditional commerce.