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Smartphones with NFC will revolutionize the way we shop

By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at 7:07 PM
MasterCard Photo Credit: Bob Goldberg/Feature Photo Service

One of the most underrated functions of owning and using a smartphone is how much simpler they make shopping. There are literally thousands of applications available across all mobile platforms that help users compare prices of an item both online and at local retailers, or purchase goods and services right from their smartphone. Google has taken this trend a step further, using near field communications (NFC) on its Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus smartphones to allow customers to actually use their phones as they would a credit card, placing the smartphone (linked to a credit card) up to a scanner which accepts FastPass to pay for the transaction.

With NFC quickly becoming the standard in mobile devices, and rumored to make an appearance in the iPhone 5, the instances of mobile payments is only going to increase at an exponential rate. According to a recent report from Nielsen, a full 29% of smartphone owners use their phones at some point during the shopping experience. Further, over 50% of smartphone users are at least somewhat interested in using their phones as a credit card.

The Nielsen Report also showed that 38% of mobile shoppers use their smartphones to browse products or websites through applications, 32% read user reviews from their smartphones, and 22% actually make purchases through their phones.

The survey covered data collected during Q3 2011, so long before the recent troubles Google had with a vulnerability in Google Wallet that allowed hackers to potentially access someone’s PIN and potentially access funds or personal information. Though Google has done some work to fix the vulnerabilities with Wallet, it probably hurt consumer confidence in cellular payment adoption. We’ll have to wait and see what comes in the next few reports.

How do you use your smartphone to do mobile shopping?

[Via WebProNews, Nielsen]

About The Author

Anthony Domanico

Anthony is a big tech geek, and loves all things mobile. While he currently owns an Android device, he enjoys playing the mobile field with Windows Phone, iOS, and Blackberry (if they ever Release BB 10).

  • Anonymous

    Anthony might want to update his bio. BB 10 now. 

    I would love to use it as soon as Google wallet opens in Canada. Hint hint Google

  • http://www.ringcentral.com/voip-services/index.html phone service providers

    This will be easier if the phone is capable to pay bills or even read the barcodes when you shop. This idea must be apply to all smartphones.

  • http://twitter.com/adomanico01 Anthony Domanico

    LOL… consider it done. :)

    And yes, Google Wallet needs to expand.

  • http://twitter.com/adomanico01 Anthony Domanico

    LOL… consider it done. :)

    And yes, Google Wallet needs to expand.

  • John

    I agree 100%. I really hope this gains popularity soon (assuming NFC is built into more phones as time goes on). Obviously, I just wish more stores would upgrade to PayPass supported payment machines. Easier said than done tho..

  • Al Chandler

    I see it as a way to pay for things when you forgot your wallet. 

  • Al Chandler

    I see it as a way to pay for things when you forgot your wallet. 

  • LT

    Skeptical.  It’s not like credit cards are inconvenient (every one of my cards has NFC already).  I’ve forgotten my phone more than I ever have my wallet.

  • Anthony Domanico

    I’ve found the opposite. I forget my wallet much more often than I forget my phone.