Mobile Payment Is Coming In A Big Way

The mainstream media has not caught on to it yet and I've talked about it here from time to time. But be prepared to be bombarded with tons of media reports, blogs, tweets, and e-mails about it in the coming weeks or months.

At week at the Mobile World Congress, near field communication, NFC, was being talked about as if it is the next holy grail of mobile. And to a follower of mobile happenings like myself, this is a big thing. In as few words as possible, NFC allows payments be made through mobile devices.

Think of this as what you can already do at Starbucks. You can order and pay through the app. Well, this will happen in a much much better way. There are a couple of devices on the market with NFC capability, specifically, Google's Nexus S. But as with some technology, being first doesn't mean much.

However, it is largely expected that Apple's next iOS hardware updates, including the next iPhone, will support mobile payment. And I expect an explosion of next generation Android devices to support this as well.

I really recommend reading up on it because just about everyone from your bank, credit card, wireless providers, and hardware companies will be getting in on this lucrative new business. Oh, and retailers would love this as well.

Also, there are also security concerns you'll need to be aware of.

So get ready media and ad blitz coming our way. I'll be devoting much much more attention than I have in the past. I started talking about almost two years ago, pointing the ease that the Japanese users have been able to enjoy with paying through their cell phones for years.

It'll be our turn soon.

Motorola May Have A Future After All

Meet XOOM, Motorola's 10" tablet running Google-sanctioned Android, Honeycomb, on Nvidia's Tegra 2. And boy, this is the tablet that Samsung should have delivered for the Tab but jumped the gun on.

Here are some of the promo videos that I have managed to track down from the Web.

Aside from the pictures, videos, and specs, we don't know a lot about the user experience that it'll deliver. And I think Google will need to share more of those details. But I have to say Google has once again outdone itself.

The graphics I see are amazing and using a dual-core CPU doesn't disappoint. And let's just say this. The battery life is amazing, 10 hours of video playback. As far as I know, this even ties the iPad in battery life, albeit, last year's iPad.

Here are some questions that I like answered however.

1. How is the ZOOM different from other Tegra 2 and Honeycomb tablets?  They all appear to have to same specs.
2. Will this be stock Android or will Verizon Wireless, the exclusive carrier for the XOOM, think it can do better by "coloring" it with a skin and apps that we don't need or want?  This was a reference tablet of sort (though not called the Nexus tablet) when Google demo'd Android 3 back in December.
3. How is the app market?  Will we see an iPad-like translation in apps between the iPhone version and the iPad version?
4. The XOOM will initially come in a 3G version but will be upgradable to LTE.  Will this cost more?

Anyway, this is the Android tablet to get.  Well, we'll need to know what the prices are but from what I can, it's a good start for now.

Engadget has a nice little table with the specs for the ZOOM.  I encourage you to head over and check it out.  It looks like there will be only one version initially.  Listed is only a 32GB version.  I have a 32GB iPad model.  I would have like to see a 64GB version.  Trust me.  Apps for tablets take up a heck of lot more space than phone apps.

I think this not only sends a message to Apple, but also for RIM, Samsung, and everyone else competing in this market.  I also love to see what HTC has in store.  God, I love competition!

More at Engadget.

Is There Room For Web OS In 2011 - Maybe Not

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 (WP7) did not sell one million units its first weekend but Microsoft cannot afford to cede the mobile market to Apple or Google. And it has the staying power and deep deep pocket to win marketshare if not necessarily the hearts and minds of users.

With WP7 already having an app store already rivaling HP's Web OS in terms of numbers of apps, is there room for Web OS in the market anymore?

Chrome OS And Android To Merge

It has always puzzled me that Google would first introduce the Android and the Chrome OS a few months later, setting up a competition between groups within Google to see which OS prevails.  Now, the creator of Gmail, who no longer has an relations with Google, believed the two OS will merge into one.  And I agree.

In one way or another, Google is not going to have a dual OS strategy.  It is simply too messy.  Not even Microsoft with years of experiences seem comfortable with this.  Nor is Apple doing this.  As a matter of fact, the conventional thinking is that Apple will merge iOS with OS X years down the line.

Right now, Chrome OS has the making of what the future of computing will look like.  Everything will be in the cloud and we will trust that connection to cloud data will be robust enough for us to put all our eggs there.  But I don't see that happen in the short-term.  Sure, we have already begin to save a lot of data on Android and Gmail on desktops and laptops on Google servers but we still do a lot of work that require local storage.

I am very interested in the opportunities that Chrome OS has to offer but I don't want my next netbook to be a dumb terminal.  Nor do I want that for my future Android device, whether it's tablet of smartphone.  But as a solo project, Chrome OS will not survive as we have come to know it.

This is how it'll play out.  Google will try to sell Chrome OS as an alternative to Windows in the netbook arena.  It might find some success but eventually, Android will gain a lot of Chrome OS' features and a couple of years later, Google will announcement that it has successfully merged to two but, in reality, Chrome OS will exist only as key components of Android.  

And folks, that ain't a bad thing.  

More at Techcrunch.

Android 2.2 Not Ready For Tablet Primetime Says Google

I don't want to get into a pissing contest with Steve Jobs about what is the perfect screen for the tablet. iPads have done will but Android's day under the tablet sky will come.

Right now there are a few unsanctioned Android tablets on the market if you're willing to chance it. Yeah, I thought so. So then therefor Samsung's Tab which will cost close to $1K unsubsidized, $400-600 depending on carrier subsidy.

But even then, Google has publicly said that Android 2.2 is not optimized for tablet use and we'll have to wait for Android 3.0 at the end of the year.

What's clear though is that Android tablets will flood the market early 2011. And if you thought waiting until then is hard, just wait until we have to chose between different versions, screen sizes, and which works best for us.

Current State of Mobile Computing: Tablet or Laptop

Depending on who you talk to you and who you believe, the netbooks, perhaps even lsptops, are taking a sales hit because of the iPad.

Perhaps. Then there are those who are not so sure this is happen on a large scale. Given the potential that Apple may be on the verge of a $20 billion quarter and cuts on orders by dorm laptop and netbook makers, it has industry and mobile observers such as myself very excited.

Is this the beginning of the end of mobile computing as we know it?

More at Greenjava Mobility.

How Microsoft, Nintendo, And Sony Will Bring Portable Gaming to Mobile Computing Market

Some quick thoughts about mobile gaming in the age of app stores, casual gaming, and diminished support for portable gaming consoles, is it time to give thought to how Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will go on. I see a merger of platforms, birth of new ones, and a salad of old tech mixed with the new.

Which is better?

More at Onxo.

Android App Market - Users Will Pay For Quality Apps

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a post compared to other mobile users, Android users are downloading apps but not really buy them, meaning that Android users like free apps rather than paid ones.

I did not react well to it but then I took a look at the guy in the mirror and shut up. I’ve yet to buy one single app for my G1 while I’ve spent quite a bit for my iOS devices. Why?

I think the two platforms are going after different types of users and it isn’t to say that we Android folks are cheap. This is evident in that I do buy apps from the iTunes app store, just not from Marketplace. There are a couple of reasons.

Post-Android News (Updated September 24, 2008)

The prudent thing is to wait a few days or even a week after an event we had this week with the introduction of G1 by Google and, really, T-Mobile to the world.

There was a lot of excitement.  But as the details came out, we feel less and less thrilled about what we see.  To begin with, the comparison to the iPhone was missing but there were subtle jabs at Apple's walled garden.  And Apple doesn't deny that.

However, to say that Android is open is not true at all.  There's spin so I don't want to call anyone a liar.  Let's face it.  It's Google OS for all intent and purposes.  Not all apps will be allowed on G1.  T-Mobile made sure VOIP, for one, does not make it onto the G1.

Then T-Mobile went ahead to cap the 3G access at 1GB.  It was only furor over such fine print that T-Mobile removed the statement and vague warned potential customers that we are still subject to speed bumps if we get in the way of them running a smooth 3G experience.

After some musing, I've decided to give the G1 another look.  I really want to see one in person and feel it in my hand before going ahead and order one.  I love the fact that Google has developed an OS and looks to change how mobile users work, play, and communicate.

Plus, Google is a formidable competitor in any arena they enter because they are young, hungry, and with deep pockets.  Google has been laying the ground work for Android to do well.  Look for multiple devices based on Android to hit the market.  G1 is just the first step.  We've mentioned before whoever makes apps work outside of mobile handhelds will have the potential gain customers outside of the customary smartphone market.

So, those are my thoughts.  Now, here are some from others across the political spectrum on mobility.

Thoughts in specs, features, and plans:

• jkontherun on T-Mobile's 3G backtrack.  They are also suspicious.
• Onxo on why T-Mobile was less evil today.
• CNet's side-by-side comparison between the iPhone and G1. Some info already dated like the 1GB cap.
• GigaOM thinks there's more to this T-Mobile spin about the 1GB cap.  This is like when Google tried to pull a fast one over us with the Chrome statement.
• Silicon Alley Insider offers another perspective on T-Mobile's attempt to handicap Android.

Comparison with iPhone (it's funny, really.  Nokia, RIM, Palm, and Blackberry seem so irrelevant):

• Gizmodo on comparing developing for our two favorite companies.
• Onxo wants more than specs comparisons.  
• TechNewsWorld says there are factors to consider in choosing.  
• Engadget offers video comparison between iPhone and G1 and other G1 videos.
• Gizmodo's post of all their posts.
• iPhone Matters linked to InfoWorld to discuss SDK.

Those who think Android is subpar:

• Former Google manager can't understand Android.
• Marketwatch does not see a market changer in G1.
  
• Wired on how Google can save Android.  Fragmentation is the word of the day.
• jkOnTheRun on G1's limitations and how developers can fill the gap.
• Silicon Alley calls G1 "safe".  
• Mossblog lukewarm on G1.  MacDailyNews' commentaries.
• Seeking Alpha on Jonathan Ives but also talked about Android.  MacDailyNews' commentaries.
• Roughly Drafted on Android challenges.  It's as if we have to choose between the iPhone or G1 for President.  
• Appleinsider believes there is nothing similar that warrants comparison.
• iPhone Matters - 10 things iPhone has to do to catch up to G1? (updated Thusday noon)
• Business Week - Don't underestimate Apple either.
• iSmash Phone analyzes where G1 falls short. (updated Thusday afternoon)
• Mainstream media now realizes G1 shortcomings.

Those who think Android hit it out of the park:

• SF Gate asks if Google is evil.  
• Google's word on Android.
• CNet doesn't think Apple, RIM, and Microsoft should  underestimate Android.
• Android Guys compare G1 to Amiga.  
• Phandroid offered a view and video from the perspective of an Android fan.
• TmoNews on G1 unlocking and new data issues.
• Engadget offers what they like or don't like about G1.
• Symbian Freak asks if Android will put Symbian to rest.  Guys, this is Nokia with a lot of deep pocket too.  Oh, but it's Nokia.
• Time believes Jobs is in danger of repeating history with Android.  Macdaily's pro-Apple rebuttal.

Those who think Google will have to work hard but are in the middle and news:

• FT thinks there are a lot of players who will give Android a lot of competition.
• LA Times thinks this will be a long long duel.  I agree.
• Electronista reports Sony mulling Android.  This was not unexpected.  Android powered PSP, anyone?
• Kotaku reports Gameloft will make games for Android.
• Crunchgear reports Google offered final Android SDK to everyone, not just folks they like.  If you recall, they secretly gave certain developers a version of SDK not available to everyone.  I think Google did apologize for getting caught, not for the deed itself.
• Wired on programmers who got rejected by Apple.  Not all are going to Android.
• Android Guys on G1 shortcomings.  Good and honest.  Very fair.