moneto is a prepaid mobile wallet application that enables consumers’ phones to make mobile payments with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. With moneto, consumers can pay for purchases at more than 120,000 NFC enabled merchant locations nationwide and globally. moneto is based on In2Pay® technology developed by DeviceFidelity, Inc.
More information: Moneto
With summer days dwindling, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has less than two weeks to make good on its pledge to launch its Google Wallet mobile payment service.
Google Wallet is a mobile application service that will let owners of Sprint’s Samsung Nexus S 4G smartphones use their phone as a wallet at some 20 retailers and restaurants.
Bloomberg said the carrier group, which unveiled its own tap-and-pay effort in July, plans to invest $100 million to build out its mobile payment plans to challenge Wallet.
Read more, via eWeek.com.
Internet Retailer’s second annual Mobile Commerce Forum is designed to help marketers succeed in the new competitive world of mobile commerce. The Mobile Commerce Forum will feature m-commerce innovators who will provide details on every aspect of m-commerce:
Topping off the agenda are the live reviews of mobile sites and apps.
Keynote and Featured Speakers will provide insight on the current stage and future development of m-commerce and help attendees understand how to create and evolve the programs that will lead to success in the new mobile world.
Featured Speakers
Susan Blue, Director of Product Strategy, FordDirect, will talk about how mobile is becoming a key driver for FordDirect, the joint venture between Ford Motor Company and its franchised dealers. She’ll share how mobile is speeding car-buyers’ ability to connect with dealers for additional vehicle information; and the results its mobile strategy is achieving for Ford Direct.
Christopher Brya, Director of Mobile and Emerging Channels, Choice Hotels International, will share what it takes for mobile’s in-house champions to create a mobile initiative that wins the support of corporate leadership. He’ll describe the educational approach taken by his team to develop an effective mobile program that won buy-in at the top.
Ron Yates, President and Director of E-commerce, Yates & Co., is proof that reailers don’t need to be big to have a big mobile presence. He’ll talk about how the right practices, technology and business model have come together to drive an effective mobile program for this smaller-scaled retailer—and how others can discover the same success.
The event will be held at the Hilton Americas-Houston, Texas USA (1600 Lamar, Houston, TX 77010).
For more information: Mobile Commerce Forum 2011
VocaLink today announced the launch of their new multi-channel gateway product that enables banks to offer customers real-time, inter bank mobile payment services. The multi-channel gateway has been designed to work in conjunction with the VocaLink Immediate Payment solution, but can operate equally well with other payment services, such as the UK’s Faster Payments Service and the LINK network.
Central to VocaLink’s multi-channel gateway is a proxy database that has a look-up capability to associate a proxy such as a mobile phone number or email address to identify customer bank details and enables the payment to be completed. The proxy database ensures that the highest level of safety and security are adhered to, protecting the privacy of the bank and customers.
Marc Terry, Managing Director, Global Transaction Services at VocaLink said “The VocaLink multichannel gateway provides the final piece of the jigsaw that allows customers to initiate real time mobile payments just by supplying the beneficiary’s mobile phone number.”
Surce: VocaLink
B.Shark, a Chinese company offering worldwide mobile payment solutions, is expanding its market to Thailand. The company’s mobile payment API covers the three major operators in Thailand: AIS, DTAC and TrueMove.
The number of mobile subscribers in Thailand exceeds 70 million, which is greater than the population–so each subscriber has more than one mobile phone on average.
According to the latest figures,the average revenue per user (ARPU) for Thailand operators has a fairly wide range. DTAC, which focuses on high-level business subscribers, has the highest ARPU at 286 THB, followed by AIS at 232 THB, and TrueMove at 112 THB. Most subscribers in Thailand will charge 50 THB each time, and the lowest value recharge card is 20 THB.
In terms of value-added services, the most popular content is music, especially the local music created by Thailand’s popular music singers. The second most popular content is mobile wallpaper. Smart phone owners are frequent users of social network applications. When it comes to games, Texas Poker is one of the most popular.
Chinese mobile payment solution provider, B.Shark, has already launched its global mobile payment API, supporting China-Phone OS, Android OS and also web-based computer social games. The API covers the three mobile operators in Thailand. All mobile game developers and mobile phone producers are free to download the API and integrate with their games or application.
Source: B.shark
NFC Payments USA conference and Exhibition has been developed to offer you industry professionals a clear path to develop NFC payments as a commercial proposition and to provide attendees with the contacts to do so.
This is the only event in North America to unite Banks, Payments, Mobile Carriers, Handsets providers and chip providers all intent on unleashing the industry’s rich profit potential.
The conference brings together leaders in the industry to share their knowledge with you. From MasterCard to Nokia, Citigroup to Amex, IBM to Coupons Inc. you will get key insights from the industry’s most respected members and ensure you’re on the right path to success.
More information: NFC Payments USA
The US Advanced Payments Summit (Nov 28-29, 2011, Washington D.C) is the only place to meet industry leaders with cutting edge innovations and strategies in mobile and contactless, government and transit payments.
With over 75 senior payments speakers from the fastest growing sectors, this is the best opportunity you’ll have all year to benchmark your advanced payments strategy to build a more comprehensive business case to secure investment.
Speakers include:
This multi-industry gathering presents never before heard case studies on cutting edge payments systems, guaranteeing you will go back to the office having identified cost-saving programs to meet your requirements.
Find out more at www.advancedpaymentssummit.com.
T: +44 (0)20 7067 1831. E: advancedpayments@clarionevents.com
Monitise plc today announced that the company has signed a new partnership agreement with RBS Technology Services to broaden mobile banking and payments services across its banking divisions.
Monitise has strengthened its existing relationship with RBS by entering a new five-year global strategic partnership. Under the terms of the new agreement, RBS will use Monitise’s platform to provide bank-grade and secure mobile apps and services to RBS customers.
According to the company, by further integrating Monitise’s configurable technology platform within the bank, RBS is able to give its customers richer, real-time smartphone services as new devices and operating systems hit the market, while continuing to provide mobile services to any customer that wants them via text message, no matter what phone they have.
The new contract covers all RBS Group divisions including RBS and NatWest UK Retail, Citizens Bank US, Ulster Bank and RBS Global Corporate and Business.
Will Jones, General Manager for Monitise’s RBS partnership, said: “New apps have been developed on the Monitise platform as part of a partnership project with RBS called Quantum Leap. It really does deliver a leap forward in terms of client innovation and convenience, with helpful banking at the heart of these new apps. The integrated technology is fully flexible and lets the bank optimise every app to take advantage of what advanced handsets can do.”
Monitise Group Chief Executive Alastair Lukies said: “As a global provider of mobile money services we have great insights into the varied approaches being taken by banks and financial institutions around the world as they seek to defend and extend their business in this increasing digital and mobile age.”
He added: “RBS has positioned itself perfectly to embrace the mobile money evolution and we are delighted to be playing our part. Mobile, like any banking and payments ecosystem, needs to be easy-to-use, secure and interoperable and RBS are putting their customers first by recognising mobile as a channel in its own right, not just another ‘access point’ for the internet or a call centre. There are 5.5 billion mobile phones globally and organisations that understand and utilise that channel best are going to get closer to their customers.”
Source: Monitise Group
comScore, Inc. has released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending July 2011. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.5 percent market share. Google Android continued to gain ground in the smartphone market reaching 41.8 percent market share.
OEM Market Share
For the three month average period ending in July, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 25.5 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers (up 1.0 percentage points), followed by LG with 20.9 percent share and Motorola with 14.1 percent share. Apple strengthened its position at #4 with 9.5 percent share of mobile subscribers (up 1.2 percentage points), while RIM rounded out the top five with 7.6 percent share.
| Top Mobile OEMs 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2011 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Apr. 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers (Smartphone & Non-Smartphone) Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens |
|||
| Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers | |||
| Apr-11 | Jul-11 | Point Change | |
| Total Mobile Subscribers | 100.0% | 100.0% | N/A |
| Samsung | 24.5% | 25.5% | 1.0 |
| LG | 20.9% | 20.9% | 0.0 |
| Motorola | 15.6% | 14.1% | -1.5 |
| Apple | 8.3% | 9.5% | 1.2 |
| RIM | 8.2% | 7.6% | -0.6 |
Smartphone Platform Market Share
82.2 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in July 2011, up 10 percent from the preceding three month period. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 41.8 percent market share, up 5.4 percentage points. Apple strengthened its #2 position with 27.0 percent of the smartphone market, up 1.0 percentage points from the prior reporting period. RIM ranked third with 21.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft (5.7 percent) and Symbian (1.9 percent).
| Top Smartphone Platforms 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2011 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Apr. 2011 Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens |
|||
| Share (%) of Smartphone Subscribers | |||
| Apr-11 | Jul-11 | Point Change | |
| Total Smartphone Subscribers | 100.0% | 100.0% | N/A |
| 36.4% | 41.8% | 5.4 | |
| Apple | 26.0% | 27.0% | 1.0 |
| RIM | 25.7% | 21.7% | -4.0 |
| Microsoft | 6.7% | 5.7% | -1.0 |
| Symbian | 2.3% | 1.9% | -0.4 |
Mobile Content Usage
In July, 70 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device, up 1.2 percentage points. Browsers were used by 41.1 percent of subscribers (up 2.0 percentage points), while downloaded applications were used by 40.6 percent (up 2.8 percentage points). Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 2.1 percentage points to 30.1 percent of mobile subscribers. Game-playing was done by 27.8 percent of the mobile audience (up 1.6 percentage points), while 20.3 percent listened to music on their phones (up 2.3 percentage points).
| Mobile Content Usage 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2011 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Apr. 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers (Smartphone & Non-Smartphone) Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens |
|||
| Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers | |||
| Apr-11 | Jul-11 | Point Change | |
| Total Mobile Subscribers | 100.0% | 100.0% | N/A |
| Sent text message to another phone | 68.8% | 70.0% | 1.2 |
| Used browser | 39.1% | 41.1% | 2.0 |
| Used downloaded apps | 37.8% | 40.6% | 2.8 |
| Accessed social networking site or blog | 28.0% | 30.1% | 2.1 |
| Played Games | 26.2% | 27.8% | 1.6 |
| Listened to music on mobile phone | 18.0% | 20.3% | 2.3 |
Source: comScore
Verizon Wireless and Intuit Inc. today announced a strategic alliance to give small businesses – from the sole proprietor to a medium-sized business – the ability to process credit card payments on smartphones and tablets.
The companies are now offering Intuit’s GoPayment app and pocket-sized credit card reader in Verizon Wireless’ 2,300 retail stores and business-to-business sales channels.GoPayment makes it easier and more affordable for small businesses to process credit cards and for anyone who sells products or services to accept credit card payments wirelessly. The card reader simply plugs into the audio jack of a supported smartphone or tablet.
Credit and debit cards can be swiped through the card reader or entered into the app manually. The transaction is processed immediately and funds are automatically deposited into a user’s bank account within a few business days.
GoPayment supports devices on Android, BlackBerry and iOS platforms for most popular 3G and 4G LTE smartphones and tablets.
“Intuit’s GoPayment on America’s most reliable network is a mobile transaction game changer, and brings another dimension of must-have technology to the small business community,” said Mike Schaefer, executive director of the Business Solutions Group for Verizon Wireless.
“Payments and transactions are often the biggest hurdle businesses face. Our value proposition is to streamline, simplify and enable business owners to get paid with minimal delay. This collaboration with Intuit is an important part of our strategy to bring the most innovative online and mobile tools to our customers.”
“Rather than lose out on potential business, anyone who sells a product or service can now easily and affordably give their customers the option of paying with plastic,” said Chris Hylen, general manager of Intuit’s Payment Solutions division.
“GoPayment is meeting a huge need and is one of the fastest growing mobile payment solutions in the market. With Verizon Wireless, we’ll help even more people discover that they too can process credit card payments on the phones or tablets they already own.” To save time when processing payments, GoPayment offers the ability to create and sell from a list of frequently sold items. Depending on the types of goods and services sold, users can choose to apply sales tax, add tips and send customized receipts via text message and email with a map of where the transaction took place.
To protect data, sensitive credit card information is never stored on the phone. The data is also encrypted – once via the card reader and a second time via the GoPayment app.For the more than four million small businesses that use QuickBooks, GoPayment can also sync transactions with recent versions of QuickBooks – PC, Mac and soon QuickBooks Online – to save time by reducing manual data entry.
GoPayment also supports up to 50 users on one account, which is ideal for businesses with multiple employees who work in the field.
Source: PR Newswire