What can you buy NOW?
Most m-commerce strategies have not yet hit the mainstream in Australia and the players who are providing the technology and infrastructure aren't household names, yet. It appears that the technology is not the one to blame in this case and that it is more recognition by the market.
Companies like the Soprano, based in North Sydney, provide end-to-end solutions for clients who want their commerce to start with an "m". It takes a different approach by connecting to its clients' backend and allowing customers to interface directly with the information itself rather than storing the data and then passing it on, which could turn into a game of Chinese whispers. Its solutions are used by the big guns like Telstra for its SMS information services and Cable and Wireless Optus for its Networker service.
Soprano can output information to a variety of devices, potentially all at the same time, so you could get your bank balance update via SMS, WAP or on you laptop. This technology independence allows it to cater to emerging technologies and take advantage of the benefits while simultaneously providing for older technologies.
Redcoal, also based in Sydney, has recently done the HMV site through the Optus portal, and is focusing on fast moving consumer goods, such as fast food chains, as well as gaming. Expect to see voice recognition and full payment gateways for merchants to make use of. It will be shortly making good use of GPRS by including features for WAPpush and location-based services.
The CSIRO are currently demonstrating a product which will dispense a can of drink if you SMS the number associated with the drink of choice. You don't need to dig around for the last 5 cents, that might get stuck in the mechanical device, instead it's a transaction dealt with by a computer and it appears on your next phone bill or e-wallet account. The process is quite simple, but it has yet to take off.
In the UK, however, Ericsson and Virgin Cola have teamed up to allow you to get food and drink from a vending machine via WAP, no change needed.
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