Find out the week’s top mobile stories from around the world. Headlines this week include… Google Plans Privacy Changes, but Promises to Not Be Disruptive, Will mobile operators jump on the metaverse bandwagon?, Consumers Lack Trust in E-Wallets for Mobile Payments Even Though They Shouldn’t and much more…
Google Plans Privacy Changes, but Promises to Not Be Disruptive
The New York Times
Google said on Wednesday that it was working on privacy measures meant to limit the sharing of data on smartphones running its Android software. But the company promised those changes would not be as disruptive as a similar move by Apple last year.
Apple’s changes to its iOS software on iPhones asked users for permission before allowing advertisers to track them. Apple’s permission controls — and, ultimately, the decision by users to block tracking — have had a profound impact on internet companies that built businesses on so-called targeted advertising.
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Will mobile operators jump on the metaverse bandwagon?
Telecom TV
Hardly a day goes by now without another significant commitment to metaverse developments: The latest name in the frame is The Walt Disney Company, which, according to Reuters, has appointed Mike White, current SVP of Consumer Experiences and Platforms at Disney’s Media and Entertainment Distribution unit, to lead its metaverse strategy as the entertainment giant adds to the plethora of big-name companies striving to create a whole new world in the digital realm.
White is tipped to become the company’s SVP of Next Generation Storytelling and Consumer Experiences, working with the Disney’s creative teams to define how consumers experience its metaverse. Such a move makes sense for a giant digital content producer such as Disney, but is there an argument as strong for telcos to assign people, R&D funds and other resources towards metaverse-related projects?
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Consumers Lack Trust in E-Wallets for Mobile Payments Even Though They Shouldn’t
Telemedia Online
A recent study suggests that consumers lack confidence in e-wallets, even though more than 50% of the world population is projected to use them in the next three years. As a result, card payments have experienced an uptick in usage as people’s reliance on cash dwindles. According to the Edelman study, 64% reported trusting banks as opposed to 47% for digital payments providers.
However, this goes against conventional wisdom that says e-wallets are better for customers than credit and debit cards. The reality is that you should give e-wallets more of a chance, and these are the reasons why.
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Harnessing the mobile gaming boom in Africa
ITWeb
Spurred on by more people spending time and money on home entertainment over the past two years, mobile gaming in Africa is expected to grow at 12% annually. This is according to the Mordor Intelligence Africa Gaming Market report, which also highlights how the continent can expect its youth population to increase up to 50% by 2050. These factors contribute to making Africa an attractive market for mobile game developers.
Across the continent, the number of video game consumers increased from 77 million in 2015 to more than 185 million at the end of last year. Additionally, 95% of gamers in Africa are using mobile devices as their platform of choice as opposed to consoles and PCs. HUAWEI’s AppGallery currently offers over 40 000 different games for consumers to choose from.
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Global cellular IoT market value to grow by $30 billion in next 4 years: Juniper Research
Digital Nation
A new report by Juniper Research reveals that the Cellular IoT market is expected to grow to $61 billion by 2026, up $30 billion from this year’s valuation.
According to the Cellular IoT report, which provides insights into the key trends and challenges facing the cellular IoT market, 5G and cellular low-power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies will be responsible for 95 percent of this growth.
According to a Juniper Research white paper on the subject, “The low cost of both connectivity and hardware will drive adoption for remote monitoring in key verticals, such as agriculture, smart cities and manufacturing. In turn, LPWA connections are expected to grow 1,200 percent over the next four years.”
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Harnessing the mobile gaming boom in Africa
Tech Central
Spurred on by more people spending time and money on home entertainment over the past two years, mobile gaming in Africa is expected to grow at 12%/year through to 2026. This is according to the Mordor Intelligence Africa Gaming Market report, which also highlights how the continent can expect its youth population to increase up to 50% by 2050. These factors contribute to making Africa an attractive market for mobile game developers.
Across the continent, the number of videogame consumers increased from 77 million in 2015 to more than 185 million at the end of last year. Additionally, 95% of gamers in Africa are using mobile devices as their platform of choice as opposed to consoles and PCs. Huawei’s AppGallery currently offers over 40 000 different games for consumers to choose from.
Read more…
The Future Of In-App Purchases
Forbes
Lately I, like many other tech enthusiasts, have been following the news surrounding in-app purchases (IAPs) from Apple and Google. In the past few years there have been countless changes to app store rules regarding IAPs and the use of 3rd party payments. And, just as I’ve found that various livestreaming monetization models are transforming the creator economy, today I want to double click on mobile app monetization.
Today, creators can reach their fans through various digital channels, from the web, to mobile apps, to smart TVs, and more. They can monetize their mobile apps in app stores either by charging for the app itself or by making it free with the option for IAPs. IAPs use payment methods provided by the app stores, and since IAPs are part of the Apple or Google ecosystem they are known for their privacy, security, and seamless user experience.
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Nokia teams with former IBM unit on private networks
Mobile World Live
IBM spin-off Kyndryl teamed with Nokia to build specialised 4G and 5G private wireless networking services for industrial enterprises, a move the companies claimed offered digital transformation benefits.
The pair are using IoT, AI and cloud computing to deliver Industry 4.0 advances. The collaboration had already delivered private 4G and 5G networks, proof-of-concepts and related services for US chemical company Dow, Nokia and Kyndryl explained.
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Surge in crypto ownership as mobile cash-rich trading grows
International Investment
As many as 12% of adults age under 45 now report owning some crypto assets, double the same figure a year ago, according to data from Boring Money.
Boring Money’s Online Investing Report 2022, using its annual survey of nationally representative survey of 6,305 UK adults, also showed mobile is becoming an increasingly dominant medium for younger investors buying funds and shares, while social influences are now a critical factor prompting people to start investing for the first time.
It comes as the FCA last year raised concerns about the volume of newer investors attracted to high-risk investments, and the risk of ‘low friction’ trading on mobile.
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