Amazon.com, one of the most recognizable names in e-commerce, is considering introducing NFC payments that would allow customers to purchase Amazon goods in real-life stores.
Amazon isn’t the only one hoping to tap in to the NFC craze. Currently, Google is moving towards implementing the technology in a joint venture with credit cards companies.
Meanwhile, both Microsoft and Apple are also seriously considering NFC options.
Like many large e-commerce sites, Amazon is hoping to move from Internet retail only, to mobile commerce company by implementing features that make mobile purchasing easier and more attractive.
According to sources near the project, beyond mobile shopping using NFC, Amazon is considering creating a NFC-based marketing service.
Meaning, consumers will be able to compare prices and styles of clothes by scanning the NFC tag to locate them through Amazon.com.
A similar application for iPhone already currently exists called Price Check by Amazon, so creating a version of NFC wouldn’t be all that far-fetched.
Mobile payments are slated to be the next big thing in the mobile industry. With such major players putting time and energy into its development, it’s no wonder that Amazon wants to get in on the action.
By 2014, Gartner projects that 340 million global mobile users will use mobile payments with related transactions clocking in at a cool $245 billion.
Sources close to Amazon claim the company will decide when and whether to unveil NFC mobile-payment services over the next three to five months.
(Via Bloomberg)
