Android Upgrade for Google TV

Google TV launched in October 2010. But for many users, the lack of Hulu — along with the awkwardness of the interface and lack of cooperation from TV networks and content providers — was a huge turnoff. Now Google aims to fix that with a massive overhaul, upgrading Google TV with its Android operating system.

Google announced on its Google TV blog Friday that the platform will be upgraded to Android 3.1

New update are focused on four areas:

1. Keep it simple
The interface is now much simpler. The new customizable home screen gets you to your favorite content quickly.

2. Make it easy to find something worth watching.

3. Make YouTube better on TV.

4. Bringing more apps to TV.

Raise in Mobile banking app usage in US: Study

Nearly 13 million mobile users used a mobile banking app in June – up 45 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010, per a new study by comScore.

The comScore study found that mobile credit card services saw an increase with 18.4 million mobile users accessing credit card information – up 23 percent from December.

The study found that 12.7 million mobile users reported having used a banking app in June. This is up 45 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Approximately 14 percent of United States mobile subscribers accessed banking services via their handsets.

Mobile credit card services saw an increase with 18.4 million mobile users accessing credit card information – up 23 percent from December.

Peet's Coffee & Tea uses Google Wallet and Mastercard Paypass

Coffee chain Peet’s Coffee & Tea is allowing consumers to pay thru Google Wallet and MasterCard Pay pass.

The company claims that all locations will be equipped for mobile payments by the end of October.

Eighteen stores in San Francisco and San Jose, CA already have the mobile payment readers.

With the new technology, consumers can pay for items by tapping their mobile devices via the Google Wallet app or on Paypass-enabled registers.

It also signals a direct competition with coffee giant Starbucks. Recently, Starbucks rolled out a commerce-enabled application that lets consumers buy items on their mobile devices

NJ Transit Partners With Google Wallet

New Jersey Transit, the third-largest U.S. transit system with more than 895,000 weekday trips on bus and rail in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia has began letting some commuters pay for fares using smartphone sensors set up by Google Inc. at locations including New York’s Penn Station.

The public-transit system is the first to partner with the company on its Google Wallet “tap-and-pay” system, which gives businesses access to credit-card information when a customer waves their phone over a sensor to make a purchase.

This Service is now available only on Sprint Nexus 4G and soon will expand to other Andriod phones.

Dell iPhone App

Computer manufacturer Dell Inc. has rolled out an iPhone app that serves as a one-stop shopping, tracking and support tool for consumers.

The Dell app lets consumer shop for products including TVs, cameras and other electronic devices.

consumers can access support forums, videos and access advisor tool to receive instant Dell recommendations.

The iPhone app lets consumers track their order status, manage their account and contact the company via a click-to-call feature.

Dell Mobile is a single app for desktop computers, laptops, monitors, printers—all the Dell systems and accessories you need for your home, plus top-brand TVs, cameras and other electronic products. With a quick and easy purchase path, Dell Mobile lets you get in, find what you need, fill your order and get out fast.

American Eagle Outfitters to Use Google Wallet

• American Eagle Outfitters is continuing its push in the mobile commerce space via a new partnership with Google Wallet.
  
  
• American Eagle to use the Google Wallet with in-store demonstrations in New York.
  
  
• Google Wallet is currently being used at American Eagle locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington and New York.
  
  
• Using Google Wallet, American Eagle consumers can pay for their purchases via their smartphone.
  
  
• Users with a Nexus S 4G smartphone can download the Google Wallet app to manage their accounts.
  
  This Makes American Eagle Outfitters the latest to join the race of NFC Payments.
  
  
  
  

Subway to Use Contact Less Payments with NFC Devices

Subway, the largest restaurant chain in the United States to accept contactless payments.The new tap and go payment readers will be implemented at more than 7,000 United States locations by the end of 2012.

Subway consumers can tap their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card, phone or device on a PayPass-accepting reader at check-out.

According to MasterCard, PayPass does not require customers to sign receipts for purchases under $50.

Mastercard is a global payments and technology company, It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network.

55% of Mobile Web Traffic comes from Apple's iOS

Apple’s iOS operating system is now driving nearly 55 percent of worldwide mobile web traffic, according to a new report by web analytic firm Net Applications.

The findings suggest that the percentage eclipses Google’s Android by more than three times. At 16 percent global market share across mobile phones and tablets, Android web traffic even trails Java ME, which accounts for nearly 19 percent market share.

Symbian follows at 6 percent and RIM’s BlackBerry is at 3 percent.

Although Android controls 48 percent of the worldwide smartphone market, Apple’s iPad continues to own the tablet market, increasing to 68 percent global market share during the second quarter, up from almost 66 percent a quarter ago.

OfficeMax uses NFC payment through Google Wallet

OfficeMax is letting in-store customers pay via Google Wallet to deliver a faster, personalized in-store shopping experience.

OfficeMax is the latest retail chain to join the growing list of merchants who are accepting Google Wallet NFC payments. OfficeMax are also utilizing Google Wallet along with their MaxPerks Rewards loyalty program that will enable customers to pay, redeem coupons and reap the benefits of OfficeMax’s MaxPerks. The Google Wallet NFC payments are currently limited to greater New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C. markets.

The Google Wallet app is available on the Sprint Nexus 4G phones. It stores virtual versions of a customer’s payment and rewards credentials and uses near field communication technology to make payments by tapping the phone on the MasterCard terminals.