Smartphone: Emerging Wallet

If you haven’t heard about Near Field Communication (NFC), you must know that you are one step behind the market. This wireless communication technology is not something new; however, it has been gathering the attention of many companies in recent years. By enabling the connection of electronic devices within a close range, NFC is taking the way business transactions are done to a new level.

The idea is pretty simple, and for a great number of people, it is also very convenient. Basically, smartphones can be used for payment purposes. The contactless payment is expected to transform payment options for areas such as transportation, health care, and retailers. Its applications also include bank deposits through smartphones and location alerts to friends in social networks. The concept sounds pretty amazing; however, it has raise controversy worldwide. While in China more and more phones are being launched with built in NFC technology, in France the majority doesn’t support the idea. Apparently, French are not interested in electronic payment services. Security issues, in addition to cost and complexity, are the main drivers of the resistance. American companies are adopting the new payment system.

In my opinion, in the short-term traditional payment methods will dominate. In times where recession still hitting the consumer, people will remain more skeptical to use their phones for payments due to fear and uncertainty. In the other hand, the change is coming, companies most prepare for it because sooner or later the consumer will adapt. Once people become familiar with the concept, they will be swiping smartphones instead of credit cards.

http://mashable.com/2010/05/06/near-field-communication/

http://www.nearfieldcommunicationsworld.com/2011/01/20/35692/most-french-consumers-not-in-favour-of-mobile-payments/

http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Operators-Compete-For-Mobile-Payment-Applications-To-Expand-The-Service---Carriers--Mobile-Payment--/1882272

Saying NO to Piracy by Adding New Values!!!

It is difficult to establish what the world’s vision, position and exact time is when it comes to piracy. It is even harder to predict the piracy’s socieconomic impact that will stil be as technology continues its rapid development.  Technology’s accelerated pace has been facilitating the creation of means for the distribution of piracy and the violation of intellectual property.

It is a fact that many countries such as England, France and the United States have taken initiatives to combat piracy. Those iniciatives have been recognized and defended by a part of public opinion, as well as by the companies mostly affected by this activity. However, it is clear that those measures have not achieved the expected scope neither the socioeconomic effect. The established fines and threats with permanent disconnection internet service for offenders have not diminished the  levels of piracy or information exchange but rather increased. Apparently this has ocurred by the constant technological evolution, which has lead to an ineffective proposed system to monitor and verify that activity.

Furthermore, it is very difficult for the legislation to keep pace with technological advances, but we must be aware that a legislation is a necessary mean for the progressive regulation of the activity and the existence of a legal framework to protect intellectual property.

Particularly,  I believe in the idea of creating new business models that make unnecessary the use of piracy and educate consumers on the value of intellectual property rights as a posible solution to reduce piracy.  This will contribute to changes in behavior. It is important to note that these changes are not reflected immediately, but the results will be long term since a cultural change is required. 

http://news.cnet.com/has-online-piracy-reached-a-tipping-point/