Just recently Ipsos released the findings of their study "The face of the web." We learn that 28% of all mobile users have used their mobile to access the internet, 52% have sent a text message and 36% have sent or received email. Mobile penetration across the globe is (relatively) high, apart from the US and Canada where ownership by household is 75% and 60% respectively. In east Asia this figure is over 90% and Western Europe 80%. Furthermore there is a correlation between those who access the internet and those that own a mobile. This week we have the announcement that Paypal is to start a mobile payment service. This means that 105 million Paypal subscribers will now be able to [a] purchase and [b] send money to other using their mobile - instantly. This is a powerful offering. Imagine you're opening a new store or restaurant perhaps and want to reduce capital expenditure on costly registers, a safe etc. Here's your answer. Given that most of us are now as good as surgically attached to our mobiles, what is the future for credit cards? Anna Pollock said in 2003 that from the moment we wake up we are all consumers, we just need the process of consuming made easy. It doesn't get much easier than this. Instant, mobile purchasing - The Future for Consumers. We need more from our mobiles though. Why can't recruitment agencies automatically send me a text message when they have a vacancy that fits my profile? Why can't delivery companies send me a text message with the status of my international shipment? Why can't I send a text message to order a cab and it will come and pick me up from wherever I am (read wherever my mobile is)? Why don't Canadian schools send a mass text message to all parents when a "snow day" is declared and school is off? |
