Ever heard of a Tech Wallet ? Well, if you haven't then you need to update your global knowledge. This fundamental is catching up pretty well in the developing countries. To put it plainly, a person can withdraw money with his mobile phone in some parts of the world. Confused?
Well, the procedure goes something like this. The user is supposed to fill up a form at a local bank, then send a text message through his/her mobile phone. Lo and behold! The transaction would be approved by the bank and you would be paid the desired amount in seconds. As simple as this!
Come to the contemporary world and you would discover numerous functions that your mobile phone can do for you. Withdrawing money out from a bank through your mobile phones would not require you to be account holder in that bank. The mobile phones are quite prevalent in the third world and developing countries and people have more mobile phones than bank accounts, so the virtual wallet system suits them the best. Mobile banking services have proven helpful for people in money transfer and Philippines is the numero uno in this service with 5.5 million Filipinos using this service.
The traditional bank transferring takes two to three days to clear the transaction and it also costs pretty high in comparison to the mobile phone transfer, which is not only cheap but also instant in their service. So, if you want money from your parents or anyone, all you have to so is to ping them through a text message and you would be given the desired amount by the local bank. Looks like telecommunications have come a long way!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
LG Voyager : A Look alike of Apple iPhone?
This would indeed be a good news for all of those who have not yet laid their hands on the Apple iPhone, for they can feel happy at this bit of information. The Apple iPhone look alike been announced by LG. Plus, three brand new mobile phones have also been showcased by LG for the 2007 holiday season. The prime attention seeker which stole the limelight was LG Voyager, that looked like Apple iPhone in many ways. The Voyager would be offered with an exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless. The details of the device have been listed below.
LG Voyager, has a big touch screen interface like Apple, but it unfurls a QWERTY keyboard, once the device is slid open. The keyboard looks like a big advantage for many who are not very comfortable with full touch screen devices. However, the similarity of this device with that of iPhone is visible with the icons that are displayed on the screen of this device. An ordinary user might mistake Voyager for an Apple iPhone for it looks so similar to the latter at the face value. The multimedia features have been neatly incorporated in this device. Along with it, a Web browser, music player with an ability to play music in WMA and AAC file formats, video and many more features are also a part of the package. The mammoth storage space of 8 GB is more than sufficient for storing as much data as you want to. LG Voyager also includes Verizon Wireless' V Cast mobile TV in it which looks like an added incentive in this device.
LG Voyager, has a big touch screen interface like Apple, but it unfurls a QWERTY keyboard, once the device is slid open. The keyboard looks like a big advantage for many who are not very comfortable with full touch screen devices. However, the similarity of this device with that of iPhone is visible with the icons that are displayed on the screen of this device. An ordinary user might mistake Voyager for an Apple iPhone for it looks so similar to the latter at the face value. The multimedia features have been neatly incorporated in this device. Along with it, a Web browser, music player with an ability to play music in WMA and AAC file formats, video and many more features are also a part of the package. The mammoth storage space of 8 GB is more than sufficient for storing as much data as you want to. LG Voyager also includes Verizon Wireless' V Cast mobile TV in it which looks like an added incentive in this device.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Another Feather on the Cap: Google Acquires Zingku
Google smiles again for the good reason. Google, the mother of search engines has entered an agreement to acquire “certain assets and technology” from mobile social network and communication platform operator Zingku. Zingku has been a popular name since its launch in 2005 and Google's acquisition of certain services would help it to provide more services through mobile phones.
According to Zingku: “Our service is designed from the mobile phone, outward, allowing you to create and exchange things of interest ranging from invitations to “mobile flyers” with friends in a trusted manner. Users can share content with an "inner circle" of trusted friends, and with friends-of-friends when they want to. They can also subscribe to blog feeds which are delivered via text message.”
Zingku's service is free for end users and aimed at teenagers and people in their 20s. On the mobile phone, Zingku uses standard text messaging and picture messaging features that come with every phone. On the web, our service uses your standard web browser and instant messenger. There is nothing to install – says Zingku. Zingku's aim of making it easier for people to share photos, send invitations or conduct polls among friends via mobile phone is soon going to take a u-turn – thanks Google.
"Our service integrates your mobile phone with a personalized web site so that you can easily move (zing) things back and forth between the web and your mobile as well as powerfully connect with friends and optionally their friends" – adds Zingku. Merchants will also be able to send an access code to customers who can then download a mobile flyer and share it with friends.
Google's acquisition of Zingku is expected to fuel the speculation that Google is developing its own mobile phone, although Zingku wouldn't necessarily help it to do that. Rather, it's a service that will allow Google to reach more people on their mobile phones, which are emerging as a new medium for advertising.
Zingku has currently frozen new user account sign-ups. Existing accounts will be transferred to Google unless they are cancelled by Oct. 4.
According to Zingku: “Our service is designed from the mobile phone, outward, allowing you to create and exchange things of interest ranging from invitations to “mobile flyers” with friends in a trusted manner. Users can share content with an "inner circle" of trusted friends, and with friends-of-friends when they want to. They can also subscribe to blog feeds which are delivered via text message.”
Zingku's service is free for end users and aimed at teenagers and people in their 20s. On the mobile phone, Zingku uses standard text messaging and picture messaging features that come with every phone. On the web, our service uses your standard web browser and instant messenger. There is nothing to install – says Zingku. Zingku's aim of making it easier for people to share photos, send invitations or conduct polls among friends via mobile phone is soon going to take a u-turn – thanks Google.
"Our service integrates your mobile phone with a personalized web site so that you can easily move (zing) things back and forth between the web and your mobile as well as powerfully connect with friends and optionally their friends" – adds Zingku. Merchants will also be able to send an access code to customers who can then download a mobile flyer and share it with friends.
Google's acquisition of Zingku is expected to fuel the speculation that Google is developing its own mobile phone, although Zingku wouldn't necessarily help it to do that. Rather, it's a service that will allow Google to reach more people on their mobile phones, which are emerging as a new medium for advertising.
Zingku has currently frozen new user account sign-ups. Existing accounts will be transferred to Google unless they are cancelled by Oct. 4.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Japan: The Land of Rising Sun is Now the Land of Technologies
Japan has always been on the forefront of technological advancement. In terms of mobile phone uses also, this land of 127 million people has recently passed 100 million mark. Yes, you are not wrong to see users like Yasuko San aiming her mobile at a small, square tattoo on paper, clicking a little and peering happily at the result. She is just trying to get a glimpse of the latest novel written for the mobile, entitled "Teddy" through a process called QR (quick read) codes which helps one to access a web page via mobile. Users can be directed to sites by snapping the codes printed in magazines, posters and even on biscuits – thanks to Japanese technology once again.
Whether you are lost in Japan or dodging from your destination – mobile feature called GPS will guide you all the way. If you are bored, you can download the latest manga comic or an e-book to read on the train, or go shopping and pay by swishing your mobile in front of the till, because the phone also works like an electronic wallet. The fun doesn't end there! One can also collect pay bills, e-coupons, play Final Fantasy, update his/her blog and pay and check into hotels wirelessly. Japanese mobile industry is soon going to make airport check-in a passé - the e-ticket in your phone will be your boarding pass.
"Japan is the world's high-tech testbed for a wide range of consumer electronic devices and systems - many of which never see the light of day in overseas markets," says Daniel Scuka, keitai guru and consultant for publishers Wireless Watch Japan. "So keeping up with developments here is vital to knowing what's going to hit Europe and the US 24 months in the future; doubly so with respect to mobile and wireless."
Takeshi Natsuno of NTT DoCoMo says that Japanese people always love and adores technology. “Growth of mobile technology in Japan is not about bandwidth, nor standards, nor unique Japanese culture", he says. It is about "fun and convenience".
Unlike UK, "Japanese mobile phone bandwidth is free to the carriers. They didn't have to pay for it. So rather than skin the consumers for every cent, they keep a good-value proposition” - maintains Terrie Lloyd, a business analyst.
Technology never halts in Japan – where the entire world is still into 3G, Japanese are heading towards 4G soon – very soon!
Whether you are lost in Japan or dodging from your destination – mobile feature called GPS will guide you all the way. If you are bored, you can download the latest manga comic or an e-book to read on the train, or go shopping and pay by swishing your mobile in front of the till, because the phone also works like an electronic wallet. The fun doesn't end there! One can also collect pay bills, e-coupons, play Final Fantasy, update his/her blog and pay and check into hotels wirelessly. Japanese mobile industry is soon going to make airport check-in a passé - the e-ticket in your phone will be your boarding pass.
"Japan is the world's high-tech testbed for a wide range of consumer electronic devices and systems - many of which never see the light of day in overseas markets," says Daniel Scuka, keitai guru and consultant for publishers Wireless Watch Japan. "So keeping up with developments here is vital to knowing what's going to hit Europe and the US 24 months in the future; doubly so with respect to mobile and wireless."
Takeshi Natsuno of NTT DoCoMo says that Japanese people always love and adores technology. “Growth of mobile technology in Japan is not about bandwidth, nor standards, nor unique Japanese culture", he says. It is about "fun and convenience".
Unlike UK, "Japanese mobile phone bandwidth is free to the carriers. They didn't have to pay for it. So rather than skin the consumers for every cent, they keep a good-value proposition” - maintains Terrie Lloyd, a business analyst.
Technology never halts in Japan – where the entire world is still into 3G, Japanese are heading towards 4G soon – very soon!
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