Google Android

So the iPhone finally has a viable challenger. Google is working with T-Mobile to develop Android, an open software system that appears to do all that the iPhone can do and more. While I am still learning about this software (namely due to the fact that I may be catering a paper towards it this semester) one item of interest that I want to discuss is the partnership that Android has recently established with Visa. Adage address this in an article posted today. It appears that this Visa/Android partnership may finally show the potential of mobile marketing by allowing Android users to not only sign up to receive deals specifically catered to them, but also allow them to use their phone as an actual credit card. 

Addressing the first facet of this technology, mobile marketing, this partnership may actually allow the implementation of mobile marketing efforts into the US marketplace. Currently, consumers are skeptical of mobile ads as they are perceived as highly intrusive and overbearing. By allowing consumers to sign up for ad updates as well as search the Visa/Android service for specials in their area (the article mentions searching for a local BK and finding out that you receive a 30% discount for being an Android user) mobile marketing is shifting to a pull marketing effort, which theorists have identified as the future of this process for years. 

Secondly, the use of a mobile as a credit card motions into the realization that the mobile may one day emerge as the all-encompassing technological tool. What currently reigns as one credit card partnership may possibly incorporate more cards as well as even serve as your ID or even your passport. While such technologies are still years from being fully implemented and will need to address security issues, it presents an interesting view of our potential future. 

As I mentioned at the start, I still need to do a lot more research on this topic, but it is something I suggest looking into, especially if you are one of those tech buffs who find this stuff fascinating, much like myself.