Today, it is unlikely that you will board a train or explore a high street without coming across some form of tech, glued to the hands of passers-by and daily commuters. And with 2015 branded as the year for ‘computing everywhere’ by IT Business Edge, amongst other trends, it makes sense that established firms are going the extra mile to ensure their devices cater for this expanding digital lifestyle.
From a commercial perspective, this year’s digital realm holds a lot of potential for companies, both large and small, who want to capitalise on the advantages whilst pushing USPs (unique selling points) forward and setting the bar for customer experience.
As it appears this computing trend is here to stay, if not grow, businesses can benefit from a world connected by social media and search engines, all the while boasting a flawless website design that sparks user engagement; something www.i3media.net can help with.
However, while all industries can hop on the online train, one on-board sector, in particular, is set to explode with the release of a unique mobile payment gateway. Enter: Apple Pay.
It comes as no surprise that Apple have not only recognised the shift from traditional POS (point of sale) methods to digitalised transactional services, but also sought to integrate it with their existing set-up. For avid Apple fans everywhere, it appears as though a much more convenient, and possibly more secure way of purchasing from online’s bricks-and-mortar counterpart is on the horizon.
Launched 14th July 2015, Apple Pay, in a nutshell, is an innovative way for customers to make purchases. Instead of faffing around with stacks of debit cards tucked tightly away in purses and wallets, a customer can make a transaction with one, swift touch of the device’s fingerprint scanner. This technology isn’t only ideal for retail therapy though, as it can also be used to pay travel fees in London, making us wonder if this could eventually replace the commuter’s (current) best friend; the Oyster Card.
Compatible with the Apple Watch as well, the brand’s POS tactic also aligns with another trend that was predicted for 2015. Wearable technology, as highlighted by Wired, deserves real credit, especially due to the rather strategic approach being taken by Apple.
However, the firm are not the only ones to recognise a breakthrough in the market, as brands like Samsung are planning to follow suit, with Samsung Pay. Concepts behind this technology were announced in May 2015, but both may have some tough competition, as Barclays offer an interesting alternative to this payment gateway, in the form of wristbands.
But was this move to switch cards for handsets and wearable tech inevitable for not only Apple, but also Samsung and Barclays?
Well, with the rise of contactless payment cards, which saw as much as £380.8m spent in December 2014 alone, it can be argued that thinking one step ahead, by integrating a no-hassle solution with day-to-day technology, was bound to be the topic of many corporate brainstorms.
Besides, with so much focus on enhancing user experience today, as well as catering for a world online, it was sure to be only a short wait before big name brands turned to digitalised versions of, well, just about everything (in this case, a more advanced POS method).
Of course, only time will tell how efficient Apple Pay, among other services, will be. But one thing’s for sure; digital is taking over, and it’s never looking back.