Large U.S. Banks Split on Retail Mobile Payments

Large U.S. financial institutions will be introducing more sophisticated mobile banking apps in 2012, with an emphasis on transactional services such as remote deposit capture and mobile person-to-person payments, which will account for the bulk of mobile investment in 2012.

The banks surveyed remain split on plans to support mobile point-of-sale payments. While the surveyed financial institutions demonstrated a clear understanding of what it will take to make mobile point-of-sale payments a reality, many articulated a chicken-and-egg scenario in which concerns about consumer demand and merchant acceptance are hindering greater investment from their own institutions.

Plans to provide support for mobile point of sale payments vary greatly, with two of the surveyed financial institutions currently piloting such offerings, three saying they planned to support them at some point and the remaining five saying they had no plans to support mobile point-of-sale payments in the foreseeable future.

The survey, conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Fiserv in September 2011, evaluated the plans of 10 banks and credit unions that in total hold more than a third of all U.S. deposit accounts. Fiserv banking survey

While financial institutions view the progress of non-traditional competitors such as technology and telecommunications providers as a validation of mobile payments, and as a promotional tool to build consumer and merchant interest, the majority of the financial institutions surveyed stated that such announcements have had no or minimal impact on their own mobile payments strategy. “This may put them at risk of delivering new capabilities too late,” says Fiserv.

In the near term, banks likely have little to fear from new competitors in the core banking services part of the ecosystem. But banking executives cannot be unaware that in Canada, Rogers, the provider of cable TV and mobile services, already has applied for a charter to become a bank.

The initial thrust there seems to be the issuance of branded credit cards. But nobody thinks it will end there. Porting those capabilities to mobile devices will likely come next. The white paper is here.

Free Gmail Calling within the US and Canada through 2012

Google has extended its "free domestic calls within the United States and Canada for 2012, says Vincent Paquet, Google Voice Group Product Manager. 


Users can use Gmail to call the rest of the world at low rates. Free calling within the US and Canada through 2012

You can  get the app here. 

NTSB Recommends Full Mobile Ban When Driving

The National Transportation and Safety Board will recommend that all 50 states and the District of Columbia "ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers." In other words, no more driving and using a mobile phones.

The agency also recommends the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration engage in "high visibility enforcement to support these bans." 


The NTSB also recommends targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new law and enforcement, and to warn them of the dangers associated with the non-emergency use of portable electronic devices while driving. NTSB recommends driving ban

12 Mbps Satellite Broadband at the Cost of Cable?

I've been covering access technologies and businesses for a long time, and the new ViaSat (WildBlue) satellite broadband service, promising up to 12 Mbps, and priced in line with cable modem service, in a huge advance for satellite delivery.


HughesNet plans a launch of a new satellite in 2012 that should perform along the same lines.


The big issue, some of us would think, is whether HughesNet will match WildBlue pricing. The big issue, or course, is that satellite transponder capacity, even on such advanced satellites, will come with limitations, in terms of how many customers each firm can serve.


By some estimates, if the typical bandwidth served up is "up to 12 Mbps," WildBlue might top out at about 1.5 million customers in total. For satellite customers, and potential users in isolated rural areas, this is a very big deal.


WildBlue, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carlsbad, Calif.-based ViaSat, now is offering 12-megabit-per-second broadband for $50 a month in Colorado.


Keep in mind, WildBlue's existing 400,000 nationwide subscribers are paying $80 a month for 1.5 Mbps service.


WildBlue's new service will soft launch in a few other states, including Wyoming and Nebraska, in the coming weeks and should be available nationwide by the end of February. "Historically, satellite has been for the unserved," said WildBlue chief executive Tom Moore. "We think this will transform that marketplace." This is a disruption.

What Portion of Retail Payments Can Mobile Displace?

Mobile payments suppliers might hope to shift some significant portion, up to 74 percent, of retail transactions, one might argue, as debit card payments now represent that percentage of retail transactions.

Google the "Best" Content Marketing Platform?

“Google is quickly becoming the best platform for content marketers, argues Scott Maxwell, senior managing director and founder of OpenView Venture Partners.

Google Currents, for example, “pulls everything together for content marketers who want to easily distribute content to mobile,” he says. “Google Currents is a new application for Android devices, iPads and iPhones that lets users explore online magazines and other content with the swipe of a finger, and has launched with content from 150 publishing partners including CNET, AllThingsD, Forbes, Saveur, PBS, Huffington Post and Fast Company.

Content is optimized for smartphones and tablets, allowing users to intuitively navigate between words, pictures and video on large and small screens alike, even if you’re offline.

Users also can also add RSS feeds, video and photo feeds, public Google+ streams and Google Reader subscriptions already being followed. Uers also can use the trending tab to discover related content that matches their tastes.”

For content marketers, Google has added a self-service publishing platform that allows creators to pull content together and then to distribute it to Google Currents subscribers.

Not everybody will be convinced. “The average user is going to download the Currents app and, yup, write it off as a Flipboard clone (a content curation tool) ,” says Peter Smith at IT World. Flipboard clone?

“If you want a way to read RSS feeds, stick with what you've got,” he argues. “But if you're interested in a unique micro-publishing system (complete with Googly Analytics integration) and you're comfortable assuming your audience carries iOS or Android devices, then check out Currents.”

Verizon Wants to Compete With, or Buy Netflix

The reported Verizon Communications talks to create a new steaming media service in conjunction with movie-rental kiosk operator Redbox appear to be just one set of talks Verizon Communications is having with other potential partners. 


And though the Redbox talks obviously have been painted as a matter of Verizon "competing with Netflix, Verizon also appears to be talking to Netflix as well. On Dec. 12, 2011, there were rumors that Verizon was even thinking about buying Netflix. Verizon weighing Netflix Buy?

Verizon open to Netflix Most will not remember, but earlier in 2011 Verizon Communications had said it was open to featuring Netflix as a FiOS service. 


Most observers think the recent distribution deal with Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks is part of a wider effort by Verizon to get into the streaming video business in a bigger way, especially for mobile users and people who live outside the Verizon Communications fixed network regions. Verizon Communications 


Of course, getting into the online video business sets Verizon up in more direct competition not only with Netflix, but with Comcast, Time Warner and other cable and satellite video providers, to an extent. Verizon Redbox talks

Army Navy Game "Prisoner Exchange"

One of the traditions at the Army-Navy football game every year is the "prisoner exchange," where Army cadets studying at the Naval Academy, and midshipmen studying at West Point, walk on the field with their host academy, and then switch sides to go sit with their "home" academy. 


This year, my son Dylan was a "prisoner" at West Point and was exchanged for West Pointers studying at Naval Academy.

Tebow Time, Again

I don't think anybody knows how to explain it, but the Denver Broncos pulled another fourth quarter or overtime win in their latest game against the Chicago Bears. 


As has been the story for most of the last eight games, the Broncos were trailing, in this case by 10 points, until the last three minutes of regulation play. 


Then the team exploded, tying the game, before winning in overtime. 


The national story is Tim Tebow, Broncos quarterback, but that isn't really what's happening. The whole team seems to play better, when it counts. 


There is a concept known as "leadership," and a different concept called "management." 


We often speak of talented "managers" in business. But "leadership" is what happens with squads of soldiers on the battlefield. 


 Management is authority because of a role: somebody is your boss, your president, a uniformed police officer. They have "bureaucratic" authority, because of their role.


Leadership is different. People follow leaders because of some intangible charismatic quality "leaders" have. 


Tebow has that, take nothing away from him. But the team is winning, and playing so well when it counts, because of a non-objective, but very real confidence in their leadership. We need more leaders, arguably fewer "managers." 

Google Wallet Coming to the UK For 2012 Olympics

Google Wallet apparently will launch next in the United Kingdom, in time for the holding of the summer Olympics starting June 27, 2012, French newspaper Les Echos reports.


It is believed that Google Wallet could debut in the first quarter of 2012. That will require convincing at least some top banks to participate, as well as retailers and at least one mobile service provider.


Google Wallet Reportedly Coming to the UK For 2012 Olympics


It would of course be helpful to have one or more providers of "daily deals" and other promotions. It isn't so clear that paying using a mobile is so much better than using cash or a credit card that people will have incentives to use a mobile wallet service.


But what does provide value for end users are incentives, coupons, discounts and special offers tied with use of mobile wallets. 


For retailers, the ability to target incentives at potential customers when they are in proximity to a retail venue likewise offers clear value. 

Amazon Takes Social Shopping to a New Level

If you use Amazon’s “Price Check” mobile app on Saturday Dec. 10, 2011 to compare the price of an item in a brick-and-mortar store with what you can get it for at Amazon’s website, Amazon will give you a five percent break, up to $5,  if you buy that item from Amazon.com. 

What is interesting is that this is a new application of social shopping, where users contribute feedback, but where the social exchange is that users compare prices, let Amazon know, and then get value the form of discounts. In many other forms of social shopping, people post public reviews and information. 

In this case, Amazon essentially is having shoppers act as "mystery shoppers" to check out and report retail pricing at competitive outlets. Retailers do this all the time.


What is different here is the social angle, the value exchange and yet another use of mobile apps in mobile commerce.


Amazon is giving comparison shoppers a quick-and-easy way to earn up to $15 in discounts, but the promotion is making brick and mortar retailers are unhappy, of course.



The Price Check app is free and works on the iPhone and Android smartphones. To use it, you scan a product's bar code, take its picture or say or type its name. The app then gives you the Amazon price.



If you decide you'd rather buy the product from Amazon, you can put it in Amazon's online shopping cart where you'll get a discount if you complete the purchase within 24 hours.

The discount can be used on three items for a maximum of $5 off each. The deal good on electronics, toys, sports, music and DVDs sold directly by Amazon, not its third party suppliers. .

A product you're price checking also has to be an exact match to what Amazon is selling. Some might note that the promotion, though possibly enabling a shift of some sales to Amazon.com, has other value. It will feed Amazon current pricing on a wide range of products being offered by brick-and-mortar retailers all over the United States.



In fact, Amazon says on its website that the discount is “an introduction to sharing in-store advertised prices with us.”



In some cases, Amazon also will get location information as well. Qualifying products for the promotional period will have a yellow “Get deal” button next to the Amazon offer price. Amazon price check promo Dec. 10, 2011



Though it is understandable that brick and mortar retailers worry about sales volume shifting on one shopping day, they also are worried that Amazon will have a highly-efficient “mystery shopper” campaign running on Dec. 10, 2011 that no brick and mortar retailer can afford to support.



Also, some will argue, shoppers already are routinely comparing prices using their smart phones while shopping. This is just a fact of life these days, and illustrates one more way mobile commerce is being a material factor in the shopping process.

Media, Broadcast, Telco Regulatory Models Someday Will be Revisited

National Cable & Telecommunications Association president and former Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell says there will be fewer distinctions between what cable does and what the Web does, over time. What Powell clearly will not want to talk about is that the same is true of the "distinctions" between telcos and cable companies in voice services. Distinctions Disappearing Between Cable, Web

It hasn't been a "live" and relevant argument since the run-up to the 1996 Telecommunications Act, but the fact remains: the regulatory regimes governing the "cable TV" business and telecommunications are different and arguably unfair in light of the fact that services sold in both industries now are functionally identical.

So the big issue is whether telcos get more freedom, by movement to the "cable" model, which is less "free" than other media, but more free than telecom companies routinely deal with. Or, one might argue, should cable companies have less freedom by being brought under the same regulatory framework as telcos face.

In the U.S. regulatory environment, newspapers and magazines and web media are the most free of regulations. Broadcasters and cable are in a middle bucket, with more rules and restrictions than media face, while telecom companies are the most heavily regulated. As the walls between industries, functions, services, apps and revenue models continue to dissolve, though, you wind up with a regulatory mess, where like services receive distinctly unequal treatment.

The issue has never been fully addressed, and might not be substantially changed the next time the nation gets ready to revamp its communications or broadcasting rules. One has no immediate sense that this is on the agenda. But the problem will remain, if and when such discussions do move to a stage where action might be taken. Which existing models ought to be applied in a new context?

Should less-regulated industries get heavier regulation, and less freedom, or should more-regulated industries receive the same freedoms their competitors enjoy? In other words, we have environments that, on one hand, reflect the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. So media are "most free." On the other hand, we have "common carrier" regulation, representing the least freedom. Then we have broadcasters and cable in the middle. All that might have made sense when the three distinct types of functions and businesses were that, distinct. That increasingly is not true any longer, so the regulatory environment is out of step with "realities on the ground."

It might not be a "live" issue now, but it will be, at some point.

DirecTV an Immediate Loser From Verizon Deal with Cable Ops

Many of the ramifications of the recent purchase of mobile spectrum from cable operators by Verizon Wireless are yet to be seen. But one immediate consequence of an accompanying deal between Verizon Wireless, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks is that DirecTV will lose a potential partner.

DirecTV has been testing a method of modifying a standard DirecTV receiver so that it also can use Long Term Evolution networks operated by Verizon Wireless. With the recent deal between Verizon Wireless, Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House, it appears that future option, which would have allowed DirecTV to sell a dual-play package of broadband access and video, is now foreclosed.

Verizon began trialing LTE service with DirecTV in late 2010. But Verizon continues to resell DirecTV satellite video service in areas where it does not offer its own FiOS TV product.

On Dec. 2, Verizon Wireless agreed to buy 122 AWS wireless spectrum licenses covering 259 million people from SpectrumCo, a consortium of Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, for $3.6 billion. That deal also includes several agreements that will enable the parties to sell each other's products. By 2015, the cable companies will have the option to sell Verizon Wireless service on a wholesale basis. Verizon Will End LTE Trials With DirecTV

Social Media Value is Tough, Expensive, to Measure

Despite demand for accountability, it often remains difficult and expensive to measure the business value of social media and content marketing, such as changes in brand perception. Small businesses might simply argue they have to make wise decisions and plow ahead without clear evidence, as small businesses typically do in other parts of their operations. 


In fact, all the good advice in the world is not likely to convince many, if not most marketers at smaller organizations that it makes good sense to spend more on measurement than on the actual campaigns, you might reasonably argue. But that isn't easy even for the larger enterprises, either.


"Our philosophy is that we need to measure metrics that are related to business value," says Irfan Kamal, Senior Vice President, Digital/Social Strategy at Ogilvy & Mather. "Does social media change brand perception?"

"Does it increase consideration?" he asks. "Does it drive actual sales for the brand?"

What often gets measured instead are what what Kamal says are diagnostic or optimization metrics such as the number of Facebook fans, the Twitter follower base, the size of a group or a message board or a LinkedIn group. All the metrics that are easily visible are the ones that end up getting measured most often. Impact hard to measure


"The problem is that it’s unclear whether there is a direct relationship between these metrics and genuine business value," he says.


"What we are trying to do is go the next step and understand first, what is the relationship between the metrics we can measure and business value, and second, if we can find a good relationship, what are the metrics that we should be measuring for business value?"


The other problem, aside from the difficulty of measurement, is that social media measurement can be expensive, one might say.

"A big part of what we do is try to figure out the best way to measure within specific budgets, and not all programs allow for really expensive measurement tool integration," he says.

Existing tools such as TweetReach and Google Analytics offer ways to measure things like reach relatively well, he says. But he acknowledges the cost issues for more sophisticated measurements. 

"I do think that the more complex measurements, such as the impact on brand perception or sales that are indirectly driven by social media, are important to measure, but they are somewhat more expensive to measure," he says.

"It would be great if some of the social media companies realized the importance and made these measurement capabilities more accessible to a wide variety of companies, from small businesses through to the largest brands," says Kamal.

Google to Launch Mobile Reading App "Currents"

Google has launched a new social tablet and smart phone reading app, with 150 magazines contributing free subscriptions. 


Users also can  add RSS, video and photo feeds, public Google+ streams and Google Reader subscriptions they already are following. 


In addition, users can also use the trending tab to discover related content. Currents is highly social.

Google Currents is integrated with Google+ so users can share articles or videos twith their circles. Publishers can also associate their account with Google Analytics in order to increase their awareness of consumers’ content preferences, device use and geographic distribution.



“Currents”  is a mobile app available on both Android and iOS devices. You can download the app here for either Android or iPhone devices.



The app was developed to allow publishers to display content in a magazine-style format, on tablets and smart phones with HTML5 compatibility.



Google says it has worked with more than 150 publishing partners to offer full-length articles from more than 180 editions including CNET, AllThingsD, Forbes, Saveur, PBS, Huffington Post and Fast Company.


The content is optimized for smart phones and tablets, allowing users to intuitively navigate between words, pictures and video on large and small screens alike, even if when offline.



Currents also has launched a self-service platform that gives publishers the flexibility to design, brand and customize their web content. 


For example, if you’re a small regional news outlet, a non-profit organization without access to a mobile development team, or a national TV network with web content, you can effortlessly create hands-on digital publications for Google Currents, Google says.