Tuesday, April 24, 2012

SA not ready for NFC yet

News1 new result for NFC Mobile Payment
SA not ready for NFC yet
Gadget
South African banks and retailers are likely to be slow to adopt near-field communications (NFC) technology for mobile payments because of the high costs of installing point-of-sale terminals and other enabling infrastructure, writes TIM WALTER of ...


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Gadget



Identive to Showcase NFC Solutions for Students and Campuses

MOBILE PHONES AND CHILDREN
MOBILE PHONES AND CHILDREN (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Blogs1 new result for NFC Mobile Payment
Identive to Showcase NFC Solutions for Students and Campuses at ...
By Identive Newswire
"Mobile phones are a communications lifeline for college students, and the right NFC solutions can greatly extend the phones' usefulness on a university campus in practical and fun ways," said David Holmes, Identive's Vice President Mobility ... products, solutions and services for the higher education market, including a host of NFC applications that enable students to use their mobile phones for physical access, information access, social networking, cashless payment and more.
Ask Identive



Buffett On Baseball, NFC And Investment

smörgåsbord), Swedish buffet
smörgåsbord), Swedish buffet (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
News1 new result for "Near Field Communications"
Buffett On Baseball And Investment
Motley Fool UK
US), the global leader in "near field communications" (NFC), which involves the contactless short range transmission of information. The story behind my purchase of NXP is driven by its technology rather than by its current earnings.
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McDonald's to test cloud-based NFC payments in Austria

Nederlands: MCDonalds Winterswijk
Nederlands: MCDonalds Winterswijk (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
News7 new results for NFC Mobile Payment
Q&A: Sybase365's Diarmiud Mallon - mobile to kill-off cash payments
Computer Business Review
At the most basic level, SMS transactions accepting/requesting payments or ordering stock via SMS or mobile browsers have been around for some time now, but more sophisticated smartphone app and NFC systems are in development.
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McDonald's to test cloud-based NFC payments in Austria
NFC World
By Sarah Clark | nfcworld.com | April 24th, 2012 The fast food giant has signed up to pilot test a new cloud-based NFC payments service developed by Austrian mobile network operator A1 and Paybox Bank. Supermarket chain Merkur will also participate in ...
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NFC World
SecureKey Named One of the Top 25 Up & Comers in the Branham300 Annual List of ...
MarketWatch (press release)
SecureKey develops secure authentication solutions that extend the power of chip-based identity and payment credentials to online and mobile transactions, and was recently awarded a contract by the Government of Canada which will allow Canadians to use ...
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Banking innovation and the customer
Finextra
It is not, therefore, too difficult to imagine that customers could switch banking provider in order to gain access to more user-friendly online or mobile banking solutions. Contactless payment capability (NFC) has been long-talked about, ...
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Mobile entertainment showcased in new Sony Xperia smartphones
Business Mirror
It has a 3.5-inch Reality Display powered by Mobile Bravia Engine. THE NFC-enabled Xperia sola comes with two Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone's settings and applications to fit their lifestyle in an instant.
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Masabi takes dumbphone ticketing across the Pond
Register
By Bill Ray • Get more from this author Passengers riding Boston's trains will, by the autumn, be able to pay for and download tickets with their mobile phone – even if it's not particularly smart. The system will be trialled over the summer, ...
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Goodbye Charlie Card—Boston Bus Fares Could Soon Be Sold by Smartphone
Gizmodo
The MBTA is pairing with Masabi, a UK-based mobile ticketing and payment firm. "With this new and innovative approach, we are putting a ticket machine right in the palms of our customers' hands," said Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis, ...
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NFC adoption still far in South Africa's future

Adoption by Choice, Erie PA
Adoption by Choice, Erie PA (Photo credit: hbimedialibrary)
News1 new result for "Near Field Communications"
NFC adoption still far in SA's future
IT News Africa
South African banks and retailers are likely to be slow to adopt near-field communications (NFC) technology for mobile payments because of the high costs of installing point-of-sale terminals and other enabling infrastructure.
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USAT Technologies Upgrades ePort Connect Cashless Payment And Telemetry Platform

MarketWatch
MarketWatch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
News2 new results for NFC Mobile Payment
USAT Technologies Upgrades ePort Connect Cashless Payment And Telemetry Platform
Vending Times
These include "M2M" applications like mobile payments and marketing. The customer-facing portion of the upgrade was launched in mid-April, with new features and functionality added to its Web-based customer data portal, USALive.
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Bee Media Acquires Adcentricity
MarketWatch (press release)
A platform for location-based mobile shopping, including mobile interfaces, shopping tools, location services, mobile payment, content management, analytics and reporting ADFormat. An automated content generation tool that allows advertisers to execute ...
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US NFC software provider Sequent joins GlobalPlatform

Web2 new results for NFC Mobile Payment
Yankee Group: NFC is not the next 'Betamax' - New Mobile Phones ...
ePaymentNews 8 new results for NFC Mobile Payment Yankee Group: NFC is not the next 'Betamax' Fiercemobilecontent Despite surging momentum behind ...
www.zimbio.com/.../Yankee+Group+NFC+not+next+Betamax
NFC World Forum, Day 1
NFC World Forum, Day 1 (Photo credit: Pierre Metivier)
US NFC software provider Sequent joins GlobalPlatform
US-based provider of NFC software and systems Sequent Software has joined GlobalPlatform, a cross-industry association which identifies, develops and ...
www.thepaypers.com/news/mobile.../us-nfc.../747312-16



Infographic Compares NFC to Barcodes


NarianNFCvBarcode Narian compares NFC to Barcodes with infographic

Narian compares NFC to Barcodes with infographic

The NFC and Barcode battle still looms on and Narian Technologies has been determined to settle the dispute once and for all with an insightful infographic. QR codes are finally being accepted everywhere with marketers barely putting out a piece of printed collateral without the aforementioned QR code winging it’s way along for the ride. However NFC tags have many advantages that QR codes simply can’t attain. Naraian builds a strong case for NFC in its info graphic that points out the many advantages that NFC holds over Barcodes of any description, but that doesn’t mean that barcodes are dead yet. Obviously we favor NFC tags, NFC devices and the ecosystem that is building around the technology. However we would be remiss if we didn’t play devils advocate a little and point out some of the advantages that barcodes have over NFC. So we will endeavor to give a balanced approach as we go through Narian Technologies infographic.

Narian side by side comparison of NFC and barcodes

Narian points out the there are no lighting issues with NFC and this is true. QR codes and barcode scanning is difficult and if not impossible in low light situations. LED flashes are getting better in smartphones, but we have experienced issues reading barcodes in the past. The Florida based firm also points out that NFC has built in security. No barcodes outside of Kovio’s barcodes have security in anyway. The only reason the Kovio barcodes have security is because they are NFC enabled. Narian also points out that NFC tags can be read at lightning speed. In fact in most cases a read takes one tenth of a second if a quality tag is used. However with a barcode your smartphone needs to photograph and then analyze that image before it can reach out to the web and identify what product or services is linked to that barcode. That isn’t even to mention the time it takes to find and boot the barcode app on your smartphone. When it comes to speed NFC has no competition.
Barcodes by nature are fragile. If they become bent or as Narian points out if a child uses a crayon on a barcode it becomes in operable. The same cannot be said about NFC. both NFC tags and NFC devices are hardy and can take some punishment. Tags can be embedded within poster, products and POS and be safe for a long time. Narian also points out that NFC can access media without an internet connection. This is true under certain circumstances. NFC tags first and foremost can hold more data than a barcode. An NFC tag can also contain connection instructions for localized WiFi connections to access even more media. Barcodes also come in multiple flavors with many different standards. Software needs to support all standards to make barcodes ubiquitous. NFC works on a single global standard. If you have a multi national store, campaign or even if you are an airline having one standard makes everything easier.
The last thing Narian points out in its side by side comparison of NFC Vs barcodes is that barcodes are ugly. It doesn’t matter have much of a fan of barcodes you are you cannot deny they are the best looking critters in the world. From a design perspective it is difficult to make them look good in a piece of collateral. This is especially true of QR codes, they catch the eye because of how fragmented the imagery is and draws attention away from the messaging of a piece.
However barcodes have some redeeming qualities. They are cheap. In fact they add no extra cost to a piece of marketing collateral apart from the time it takes to fiddle around with the graphic, encode it and add it to your marketing piece. NFC tags on the other hand cost. Barcodes have also been around forever so there is a lot of support for them. NFC smartphones are becoming more prevalent by the day, but compared to smartphones that have a camera their figures pale in to insignificance, much to our disappointment.
In reality both NFC and barcodes have a place in the future. Barcodes will eventually giveaway to NFC as tags come down in price and as more and more smartphones become NFC enabled. Eventually consumers will become frustrated with the slow speeds of barcodes and will start to not use them. However we are probably ten years away from that reality. Until then NFC is the future proof technology and barcodes are the legacy technology. Expect within the next year to see both technologies supported with a gradual decline in the amount of barcodes you see in collateral, POS and anywhere else you see barcodes. However for manufactures and supermarkets to give up on barcodes NFC will have to present a cost effective case beyond functionality to supersede the outdated and simple barcode. We of course agree with Narian on all of their points. NFC is the way and the bigger it gets the cheaper it will become. Progressive companies are already switching to NFC, but for now at least many will include barcodes also. The NFC Vs barcode battle has just begun, barcodes are seeing a boom right now in their inclusion in collateral but the writing is on the wall for the technology and NFC is hell bend in its goal to send barcodes the way of the Dodo and the forward thinking team at Narian knows it.
Source: Narian Technologies


Tap-To-Pay Smartphones: The Coming Near Field Communications Tsunami

N-Mark Logo for certified devices
N-Mark Logo for certified devices (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Web5 new results for "Near Field Communications"
Google Alert - "Near Field Communications" | NFC Mobile Payment ...
Gartner recently reported that more than 200 million near field communication ( NFC) enabled handsets will enter the marketplace by the end of 2012. While this ...
epaymentnews.blogspot.com/.../google-alert-near-field-comm...
Introduction to Near Field Communications - Retail News and Point ...
Unless you've been living in a tech-free bubble, you've probably heard rumblings about near field communication (NFC). This technology is hoping to ...
pos-wizard.com/.../introduction-to-near-field-communications/
Pebble
NFC (Near field communications). kdroidx Posts 1. Registered 2012-04-21 07:09 38 UTC, Posted 2012-04-21 07:14:12 UTC Reply Quote. How hard would it be ...
forums.getpebble.com/topics/144
InAVate - Near field opportunity
Add Near Field Communications (NFC) to the growing list of wireless technologies that AV pros should care about. Best known as an emerging way to facilitate ...
www.inavateonthenet.net/article/.../Near-field-opportunity.asp...
Tap-To-Pay Smartphones: The Coming Near Field Communications ...
Tap-To-Pay Smartphones: The Coming Near Field Communications Tsunami: Apple may include Near Field Communication (NFC) in the next iPhone, embed a ...
www.onenewspage.com/.../Tap-To-Pay-Smartphones-The-Co...



Monday, April 23, 2012

Boston Copies Starbucks iPhone App For Commuter Rail Ticketing

Mobile Payment 09
Mobile Payment 09 (Photo credit: Pierre Metivier)
News3 new results for NFC Mobile Payment
Boston Copies Starbucks iPhone App For Commuter Rail Ticketing
Cult of Mac
Mobile purchasing systems based on NFC have a way to go before they become ubiquitous, but other types of mobile payments already here. A great example is the Starbucks app that can be used as a virtual reload-able gift card. When you want to pay with ...
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PayPal Extends its Reach in POS with Mobile Payment App for SMBs
RIS News (blog)
A rapid Q1 chainwide deployment put its mobile phone-based checkout offering in 2000 Home Depot stores, and PayPal plans to deploy the same solution at several other retailers throughout 2012. There's also a 50-store mobile payment app pilot under way ...
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Gemalto wins America Movil m-payments deal
Rethink Wireless
By CAROLINE GABRIEL Gemalto has been chosen as technology provider for Transfer, a Latin American mobile payments venture which could become the largest such project in the world. Transfer is an alliance between giant regional operator America Movil ...
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epay Extends PIN-on-Receipt Business to Xbox LIVE

PRESS RELEASE
April 23, 2012, 6:20 p.m. EDT
LEAWOOD, Kan., Apr 23, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- epay, a division of Euronet Worldwide, Inc. EEFT +0.05% and a leading prepaid and payments processor in the U.S., continues to lead the industry by expanding its product portfolio to offer a PIN-on-receipt delivery for Xbox LIVE(R) Gold subscriptions and Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. This new offering comes after successful epay launches from other digital content providers such as Rixty, paysafecard and Canta y Llama. epay's U.S. retail partners can now offer consumers many different types of content without carrying card inventory in their locations. Consumers can leverage gaming and entertainment cards sold through epay retailers to purchase movies, music, virtual goods, game add-ons and subscriptions in online environments, without having to input credit card information online.
epay's global network of approximately 293,000 retail locations and innovative payment solutions will help digital content providers achieve their objective of enabling more consumers access to digital content available through their services.
"With the launch of this product, epay provides a convenient way for retailers to sell Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions and Microsoft Points," said Eric Mettemeyer, Managing Director, epay Americas/Asia Pacific. "Retailers benefit because it is a globally recognized product that drives foot traffic, there is no inventory and it's an easy add-on to their existing epay suite of products. epay was already processing these products in Australia and New Zealand; now it is live in the U.S. and we are anxious to offer this convenience to Xbox and Microsoft consumers in additional epay markets."
About epay
epay, a Division of Euronet Worldwide, Inc. EEFT +0.05% , is a global prepaid product provider and distribution network -- enabling service providers to maximize the sales of their products and services. epay delivers innovative and tailored electronic payment, cash collection solutions including POS systems integration, a full settlement and reporting service and full marketing and distribution service support.
The epay product portfolio includes prepaid mobile top-up, prepaid debit cards, e-wallets, gift cards, digital music and other content, lottery, bill payment and money transfer through its sister company Ria, and transport payment solutions including road tolls and public transport.
epay delivers these products through a worldwide network of approximately 293,000 retailer locations and 615,000 points of sale (POS) across a number of markets including Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Visit www.epayworldwide.com for more information.
SOURCE: epay



Equity Research on Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated - Credit Card Companies Mixed Ahead of Earnings


PRESS RELEASE
April 23, 2012, 8:03 a.m. EDT
NEW YORK, NY, Apr 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- www.shinesrooms.com has a handpicked team of market professionals with over 100 years of combined investing experience. Today they are providing members comprehensive research on the Business Services industry and are offering free analytical research on Visa Inc. V -2.40% and Mastercard Incorporated MA -2.31% . Register with us today at http://www.shinesrooms.com/index.php?_controller=RegisterMember&_method=index to have free access to these research reports.
The economic recovery has been a positive for business services companies like Visa Inc. and MasterCard Incorporated, as the public has loosened up in regards to purchases as well as its attitude towards debt. Some have still been wary about overextending themselves, and so-so unemployment numbers as of late could push significant gains further into the future for the business services industry. Get your free reports on Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated at http://www.shinesrooms.com/index.php?_controller=RegisterMember&_method=index . There is no commitment to join.
www.shinesrooms.com is the Ultimate Trading Environment for investors. If you are considering owning Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated then you should sign up for a free membership and our complimentary reports today at www.shinesrooms.com . Over the last 5 years our returns outpaced any of the major indexes. Sign up today to find out what you are missing.
While the proliferation of online transactions has been a positive for credit card companies, online fraud is one of the top concerns for customers and merchants alike. MasterCard has recently taken steps to address fraud, introducing its Expert Monitoring Fraud Scoring for Merchants tool. Mastercard Incorporated report is accessible for free by registering today at http://www.shinesrooms.com/MastercardIncorporated230412.pdf .
Key industry players Visa and MasterCard are both getting ready to release the newest quarterly reports, and investors will have a more acute sense of the industry's health following the releases. Visa will release its fiscal 2nd quarter results on May 2nd, 2012, while MasterCard will announce its 1st quarter results, also on May 2nd 2012. Visa Inc. report is accessible for free by registering today at http://www.shinesrooms.com/VisaInc230412.pdf .
The two Business Services stocks research reports are available for free by signing up now on www.shinesrooms.com .
About Shinesrooms.com
Shine's Rooms is the brain child of David Shine, a 13 year Wall Street veteran with a stellar track record. For 13 years Shine has trained thousands of traders to navigate and profit from the markets. Using cutting edge technology, Shine provides you with a community in which you can trade alongside Shine and his Team as they guide you through the market's ever-changing landscape.



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