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Friday, May 9, 2014

Vodafone adds loyalty cards to its mobile wallet app... but still no UK launch

Vodafone is enabling customers to add loyalty cards and membership cards to its ‘mobile wallet’ app. Although the application hasn’t yet been launched in the UK, it’s already available in a number of European countries.

The NFC-equipped Vodafone Wallet - and its associated Visa-powered Vodafone SmartPass mobile payment app - was launched in Spain last November.

Customers can now load supermarket loyalty cards, paper coupons and other membership documents into the app as well, thanks to a deal with Austrian software company Bluesource. This new service will be rolled out to Germany, the Netherlands and Spain this month. Over a million people have already downloaded the original Bluesource mobile-pocket app.

Stefano Parisse, Group Consumer Services Director of Vodafone, said “Our customers want to take advantage of as many club, retail and membership offers as possible, but the number of plastic cards often exceed the capacity of their physical wallets. Vodafone’s mobile wallet, when used with the mobile pocket app, removes that problem by allowing a user to load a limitless number of loyalty cards directly onto their phone. Participating retailers also benefit since they will be able to send vouchers and special offers directly to the Vodafone mobile wallets of their regular customers.”

A UK release of the Vodafone wallet is expected soon; the company had originally promised UK availability by Spring 2014.


UPDATE: Vodafone has contacted us to advise that it’s no longer talking about a spring launch for the UK. Instead, the Vodafone wallet is described as “coming to the UK later this year”.

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Opinion Articles

How the right mobile phone technology can turn anyone into a spy

Mark Bridge writes:

A few weeks ago I received a phone call out of the blue. It went something like this:
“I think my partner's cheating on me. How can I get into the GPS on his phone to find out where he is?”

I'm no secret agent. Nevertheless, it got me thinking.

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To SIM or not to SIM; that is the question

Mark Bridge writes:

The last couple of weeks have seen the ‘embedded SIM’ making headlines.

The term ‘embedded SIM’ has previously been used to describe non-phone equipment with a SIM card pre-installed in a built-in 3G modem. Technically the modem was embedded, not the SIM – but it looks as though genuinely embedded SIMs could be just around the corner.

Author: The Fonecast
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How we could use mobile technology to destroy personal privacy

Mark Bridge writes:

Head to any major city, look around and you’ll see tourists recording their visit. Some have digital cameras, some have phones and some are shooting video.

It’s the same kind of scene when you go to a concert. The performer on stage will be looking at a sea of blue faces, all illuminated by their smartphones. This, I reckon, could be the beginning of the end of privacy.

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What's the value of mHealth?

James Rosewell writes:

Any healthcare solution involving some component of mobile technology seems to come under the banner mHealth. A solution that captures information about diabetes sufferers' blood sugar levels via prompted text messages and relays this information to a physician would be considered mHealth. Providing feedback to the diabetes patient about a change in dosage following review by the physician makes the solution even better. Linking devices that automatically monitor blood sugar levels and dispense insulin involving a remote computer and physician to monitor the real-time situation moves the solution on a level still. All these examples show how mobile technology can be used to improve quality of life.

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How to mess up a customer relationship with SMS marketing

Mark Bridge writes:

Do you want to know how to foul up your customer relationships?  How to use mobile marketing to reduce customer loyalty?  Then gather around, dearly beloved, for I have a case study you're sure to appreciate.

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