Get the latest announcements from MEF Members across the mobile ecosystem globally in this weekly review of member news…
Mahindra Comviva launches ‘one price multiple benefits’ top-ups
India’s Mahindra Comviva is offering consumers a simple alternative to confusing re-charge options: MobiLytix Flexible Coupon.
In most developing markets customers top up using scratch cards. But there can be dozens of options, and it’s hard to offer extras like loyalty offers.
Mahindra Comviva wants to tackle this. its new MobiLytix Flexible Coupon lets users buy just one card and then choose from different option by dialling a voucher code. They can redeem loyalty points and select recharge options from the available range.
The service therefore simplifies re-charging for users while giving operators lower costs and the chance to boost subscriber loyalty.
Read more…
Digi.me adds $1m to its series A fund
Fresh investment by a former eBay founder has brought Digi.me’s total funding to £5.3m ($7m).
The UK company – a pioneer of the ‘internet of me’ concept – received £1m from Omidyar Network, the impact investment firm created by eBay’s Pierre Omidyar.
Digi.me confirmed its series A in the summer with the round led by insurance giant Swiss Re. The company offers an app which gathers a user’s data in one place and offers universal search across all content and social media networks.
But in the longer term the app will become the location through which users can expose their data to brands and utilities in return for faster, better and more personalised services.
The company is now working on projects with businesses in the health, finance, FMCG and telco sectors.
F-Secure rolls its anti-malware tools into one offering
Cyber security giant F-Secure is now offering a single subscription that protects against multiple threats across multiple devices.
The subscription combines F-Secure SAFE and F-Secure Freedome into one. F-Secure SAFE is a multi-device internet security suite, while Freedome is a VPN that changes a user’s virtual location.
Sean Sullivan, security advisor at F-Secure, said: “Most people have a cross-platform household. So bundling protective measures into packages to run on different devices is more economical and more user friendly, both of which are good for security.”
Read more…
Twilio prepares for video messaging with new acquisition
Cloud messaging firm Twilio is set to buy Kurento’s WebRTC technology in a bid to add advanced video to its core offering.
Recently IPOd Twilio lets developers easily add voice and text comms into their apps by using a few lines of code, rather than entering into complex deals with telcos.
This purchase could pave the way for these comms to include video messaging features that embrace augmented reality, computer vision, robotics, and the Internet of Things.
Over the coming months, the Kurento Media Server tech will be integrated into Twilio Programmable Video.
Jeff Lawson, Twilio CEO and co-founder, said: “we’re excited to join forces with the builders of Kurento to extend the uses of our video platform. We can’t wait to see what developers will build next.”
Wirecard and Commerzbank offer ‘get paid now’ e-commerce service
Online merchants can get paid immediately thanks to a new pre-financing option from Wirecard and Commerzbank.
Many e-retailers suffer from the fact that they have to wait up to 14 days to receive payment from an item they have sold. Wirecard and Commerzbank are now offering to credit the outstanding amount immediately.
The new payment type can be integrated into an existing software solution or offered as a full package service with all other current payment options.
Wirecard’s EVP of sale Thorsten Holten, said: “It represents a reaction to the wishes of online merchants to have liquidity as soon as possible.”
Read more…
Novatti Group to introduce WeChat payments to Australia
Chinese visitors to Australia can pay the way they do at home: with WeChat.
Australian payment technology provider Novatti has signed a deal to support WeChat Wallet transactions down under. It’s the first deal for Novatti’s Trusted Party Services offshoot.
WeChat has more than 700 million registered users in China, and most of them make payments from it by scanning a barcode in-store. Novatti will now equipment Australian POS to take these payments.
An estimated one million Chinese visitors are expected to visit Australia in 2016 and to spend $2.5 billion.
Read more…
