Things I've Learned Today:
- Starbucks is now expanding their mobile payment method to locations in the UK and Canada, bringing their total mobile POS footprint to 14K. Sounds like some of the hip, new features they have include a tracker to tell you how close you are to your next free drink and an (it seems optional) optional safeguard that you can enable to request a PIN when you use the scan and go payment method. More importantly, they've solidified their partnership with PayPal, and now you can use PayPal to reload your card (or a major credit card) directly through your phone. A few months ago, PayPal went on record saying that they didn't believe all the hype around NFC and that, basically, they were going to hedge their bets by investing in other forms of mobile payment. Seems like QR is a good way to go
- Amazon has finally cast aside all speculation that they "might" go into the smartphone market by actively testing new hardware. In all reality, this shouldn't be a surprise. Amazon, a proud parent of one of the most popular (some argue the most popular) e-reader in America right now (Kindle Fire), has made it clear that they're not just a tech firm, but they're also a hardware firm. Super secret sources say that it will begin production late this year or early next year. Judging by the infographic, Samsung (famous for nexus Android phones) and Apple have both increased market share YoY, mostly stealing from RIM's base. I would expect this to continue, particularly since RIM seems to be floundering to stay relevant (see: epic fail of RIM tablet)
- Fun, interactive diagrams to help you answer WHY. You can log on and see the WHY Diagrams for Amazon and more (they're not as exciting as I'd hoped, but still interesting)
- The New York Times reported last night that Apple is considering a stake in Twitter. The news blurb is read as follows:
- "Apple, which has stumbled in its efforts to get into social media, has talked with Twitter in recent months about making a strategic investment in it, according to people briefed on the matter. While Apple has been hugely successful in selling phones and tablets, it has little traction in social networking, which has become a major engine of activity on the Web and on mobile devices. Social media are increasingly influencing how people spend their time and money — an important consideration for Apple, which also sells applications, games, music and movies. Apple has considered an investment in the hundreds of millions of dollars, one that could value Twitter at more than $10 billion, up from an $8.4 billion valuation last year, these people said. They declined to be named because the discussions were private."
- This is a big deal. The reason why it's a big deal is because Apple is essentially not only inflating the valuation of a company and therefore giving it more firepower to usurp the social media throne from Facebook, but it's also giving Twitter a new twist on its traditional business model. Originally targeted for the micro-business, Twitter has been migrating to the "on-the-go" segment by buddying up with many taxi services. By partnering with Apple, Twitter gets a wider demographic (a lot more consumer-based than before) and the stigma that comes along with Apple-- walled garden techniques abound. If Twitter can harness the somewhat-new demographic an capitalize on the sleekness of Apple products (let's be honest, they look pretty similar any way), they can prolong their relevancy by expanding into a new niche
That pretty much wraps it up this time.... stay tuned!
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