Author: Jennifer Goula

Google wearables to get a boost with the acquisition of Fitbit

Jennifer Goula
Google wearables - Fitbit

Internet and tech giant Google has agreed to acquire the popular fitness tracker brand. The Google wearables business is about to get a lot more interesting as the company has announced in a recent blog post that it has agreed to purchase Fitbit. Google will reportedly buy the leading wearables brand for $2.1 billion. The company wants to introduce more Made by Google wearable devices into the market. Over the years, Google has made progress in the wearables sector with the help of partnerships with Wear OS and Google Fit.…

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Timpson uses QR code tech to obtain instant feedback from consumers

Jennifer Goula
QR code tech - POS Mobile Payment

The British multinational retailer has deployed a plan to encourage customer reviews. The in-store QR code tech has been added at the point of sale in 170 Timpson shops around the UK. The purpose of these codes is to increase the amount of reviews from customers by providing them with a fast and convenient way to leave quick feedback. Feedback has doubled since the review system was introduced. When customers reach the point of sale, they are invited to scan the quick response codes with their smartphones. This will prompt…

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Major credit card networks team up for easier mobile shopping

Jennifer Goula
Easier mobile shopping - credit cards

Shopping via mobile is about to become more convenient. Visa Inc., Mastercard Inc., American Express Co. and Discover Financial Services are part of the world’s biggest card networks that have come together to make easier mobile shopping with credit cards a reality for smartphone users. Mobile shoppers abandoning their online cart costs retailers billions. While there are many convenient ways to pay when shopping via mobile, up until now, credit cards haven’t been one of them. In fact, imputing credit card details on tiny mobile screens causes many mobile consumers…

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First QR code transport ticketing system launched in the Philippines

Jennifer Goula
QR code transport ticketing system - Commuters in station

AF Payments partnered with GCash to launch the quick response (QR) code-based system. AF Payments, Inc., the company behind tap-and-go payment system “beep,” has teamed up with GCash to roll out the first QR code transport ticketing system in the Philippines. The first to adopt the mobile payments system will be the Metra Manila-based BGC Bus and the Cebu-based Topline Express Ferries. Passengers simply pay for their transit tickets through the GCash mobile app. BGC Bus and Topline Express Ferries customers can now pay their faire through the GCash app…

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Colorado becomes first U.S. state to enact QR code ballot ban

Jennifer Goula
QR code ballot ban - U.S. vote

Cybersecurity concerns were the reason given for the ban. On September 16, 2019, Colorado became the first American state to put a QR code ballot ban in place. The state once used the quick response codes to help tabulate votes. However, concerns of cybersecurity issues led to the decision to ban the use of the unique 2-D barcodes on ballots. Officials say that QR codes can potentially be changed by hackers. Prior to the QR code ballot ban, residents in Colorado made their selections on a ballot-marking device. This device…

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