Is 2011 the year of Near Field Communication (NFC)? According to a variety of research reports, the pace of mobile payment adoption is quickly accelerating, making NFC technology a major player in transforming the way businesses utilize payment plans, both using a mobile network or a contactless payment system.

Most people are familiar with mobile purchases via a mobile network, such as buying apps from your App Store or ordering other digital forms of content such as ringtones from your smart phone. However, Near Field Communication through RFID technology allows contactless mobile payments that rely on an embedded chip in a mobile device instead. In this case, placing an RFID-enabled device in close proximity to a POS sale terminal would be enough to initiate the mobile payment and process a credit-card like transaction.

Credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard are salivating over this, plus POS terminal manufacturers such as Verifone also stand to grow rapidly as the ability to accept mobile contactless payments via near field communication goes mainstream – which it will. In fact, handset makers like Nokia and Samsung are already shipping mobile devices with NFC chips built into them. And wireless carriers are beginning to let their customers purchase via NFC with a “bill to wireless account” option. The trend is going towards wireless carriers taking on the role of traditional credit card companies.

The barriers associated with mobile payments are starting to erode as more smart phone users are adopting to new technology. And because smart phones continue to get smarter, it seems clear that Near Field Communication will be soon available across a wide range of mobile devices, brands, price points and form factors in the upcoming months.

As contactless payments displace traditional cash transactions, you’re going to see your mobile phone act as your credit card. However, it is the job of the motivated merchant to drive the process. That’s why just about every size business can use the services of a Certified Mobile Marketer to implement a contactless campaign strategy to provide awareness of the possibilities that are available to the consumer.

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As any good SMS text message marketer will tell you, there are a ton of wireless cell phone plans out there to chose from these days due to the proliferation of smart phones and mobile devices. Many consumers are searching for the best bargains and deals on a variety of these cell phone plans, so we’ve developed a list of what we consider the best bargains on cell phone service plans for Verizon Wireless at discounted rates which you can view below. Clicking on each link will give you the specific details of that particular Verizon Wireless plan

• Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk 450 – 450 minutes, Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes, $39.99
• Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk & Text 450 – 450 minutes, Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes plus text, $59.99
• Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk 900 – 900 minutes, Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes, $59.99
• Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk Unlimited – unlimited minutes, Unlimited calling to anyone, anywhere in the U.S., $69.99
• Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk & Text 900 – 900 minutes, Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes plus text, $79.99
• Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk & Text Unlimited- unlimited minutes, Unlimited calling to anyone, anywhere in the U.S., $89.99

Compare these Verizon wireless plans with anything you’ll find on the net and you’ll see you can’t beat these prices and deals. Best of all, ALL THE ABOVE VERIZON WIRELESS PLANS COME WITH THE DROID INCREDIBLE BY HTC SMART PHONE COMPLETELY FREE WITH FREE SHIPPING! The DROID INCREDIBLE is the eagerly anticipated Android 2.2 phone from HTC for Verizon Wireless. Make it uniquely yours by customizing with Android Market’s thousands of apps and widgets. The advanced 8 megapixel camera/camcorder captures your favorite moments with auto focus and a 2x power LED flash. Use special effects to edit your images, and then post your pictures directly to your favorite social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Always know exactly where you are and where you’re going with apps like VZ Navigator and Google Maps supported by the integrated GPS. Check email, surf the web, and switch between different apps at lightning-fast speeds with the 1GHz Snapdragon Processor and 8GB internal flash memory. The next generation HTC Sense user interface includes fun new features and widgets.

We’ll be posting best bargains on cell phone plans from T-mobile, Sprint, and Nextel soon, so don’t forget to subscribe to our Certified Mobile Marketing blog and be the first to know when new updates are published.

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The DROID INCREDIBLE is the eagerly anticipated Android 2.2 phone from HTC for Verizon Wireless. Make it uniquely yours by customizing with Android Market’s thousands of apps and widgets. The advanced 8 megapixel camera/camcorder captures your favorite moments with auto focus and a 2x power LED flash. Use special effects to edit your images, and then post your pictures directly to your favorite social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.

REGULAR PRICE: 549.99
TODAY’S PRICE: FREE
SHIPPING: FREE

Always know exactly where you are and where you’re going with apps like VZ Navigator and Google Maps supported by the integrated GPS. Check email, surf the web, and switch between different apps at lightning-fast speeds with the 1GHz Snapdragon Processor and 8GB internal flash memory. The next generation HTC Sense user interface includes fun new features and widgets. Incredible by HTC is a trademark of HTC Corporation. DROID is a trademark of Lucas

Highlights

• 3.7″ Hi-Definition Display With A Full Virtual QWERTY Keyboard
• Access Your Exchange and Gmail As Well As Mobile Email Like Yahoo! And AOL
• Advanced 8MP Camera/Camcorder With Auto-focus And 2x Power LED Flash
• Android Market Offers Thousands Of Apps And Hundreds Of Widgets To Make DROID INCREDIBLE Yours
• Control Your Home’s FrontPoint Security System From This Phone
• HTC Sense Organizes All Of Your Incoming Texts, Emails, Tweets, And Facebook Messages By Sender
• HTML Browser Supports Adobe Flash 10.1
• Integrated GPS Supports Location-based Services Like VZ Navigator, Google Maps, And Geo-tagging
• Integrated Visual Voice Mail Allows You To See A List Of Your Voice Mails
• Lightning-Fast 1 GHz Snapdragon Processor And 8 GB Internal Flash Memory
• Live Wallpaper, Animated Weather Widget, and Multiple Themes
• Make It Uniquely Yours With the Android Operating System
• NFL Mobile Application Keeps You In The Game

Compatible Rate Plans

• Device Supports Voice Plans – Yes
• Available For Purchase Without Service Plan – Yes
• Device Supports Add-on Line Upgrade Plans – Yes
• Device Supports Add-on Line Plans – Yes
• Early Termination Fee – Early Termination Fee $350 (2 yr contracts)

Compatible Features

• Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Hotspot 2GB Option – Yes
• Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband Connect Option – Yes
• Verizon Wireless Visual Voicemail Compatible – Yes
• Verizon Wireless TXT+PIX+FLIX Plan Options – Yes
• Verizon Wireless Voice Plan Options – Yes
• Verizon Wireless PDA Plan Options – Yes

What’s In The Box

• Additional Items Included – Battery, Wall Charger, Quick Start Guide, 2GB MicroSD Card Included

Messaging Features

• Email Client – Yes, Access Your Favorite Mobile Email and Sync To Microsoft Exchange Email
• HTML Web Browsing – Yes, Surf The Web On The Full HTML Web Browser Which Supports Adobe Flash 10.1
• Instant Messenger – Yes, Access Your Favorite Instant Messenging Such As Windows Live, Yahoo, and AIM
• Multimedia Messaging – Yes, Send and Receive Picture Messages
• Text Messaging (SMS) – Yes, Send and Receive Text Messages

Entertainment

• Custom Ringtones – Yes, Downloadable
• Customizable Graphics – Yes, Downloadable
• App Store – Android Market
• Facebook – Yes, Your Facebook Friends Are Integrated Into Your Contacts
• FM Radio – Yes, FM Radio Capable (Wired Headset Required For Use, Not Included)
• Games – Yes, Downloadable
• MP3 Player – Yes
• MP3 Ringtones – Yes, Downloadable
• MySpace – Yes
• Photo Apps – Yes, Upload Your Photos Directly To Your Favorite Photo Sites Such As Flicker, Peep, and Picasa
• Picture Caller ID – Yes
• Polyphonic Ringtones – Yes
• Ringer Profiles – Yes
• Streaming Multimedia Support – Yes, Watch Videos and Listen To Quality Music
• Twitter – Yes, Accessible Via HTML Web Browsing

Digital Camera

• Camera Megapixels – 8MP
• Camera – Yes, 8MP Camera Also Has HD 720p Video Capture
• Geo-Tagging – Yes, Advanced 8MP Digital Camera Uses Integrated GPS To Tag The Location Of Your Photos
• Self-Timer – Yes
• Video Capture / Camcorder – Yes, 8MP HD 720p Camcorder Captures Videos To Share Via Multi Media Messaging

Advanced Features

• Use This Phone As A Modem – Yes
• Google – Yes, Android 2.2 OS
• GPS Services Support – Yes, Integrated GPS Supports Location-based Services Like VZ Navigator, Geo-tagging, and Google Maps
• Attachment Viewing (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) – Yes
• PC Synchronization – Yes, Sync Your Droid Incredible To Your PC Via USB Cable
• Attachment Viewing and Editing (Word, Excel) – Yes
• Upgradeable – Yes
• Bluetooth Stereo Headset (A2DP) – Yes, Stream Music Wirelessly With Stereo Bluetooth-enabled Headset (Not included)
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology – Yes, Connect Wirelessly To Other Bluetooth-enabled Devices Including Car Kits, Computers, and More

Core Features

• Calculator – Yes
• PDA Device – Yes
• Calendar – Yes
• Color – Black
• Color Main Display – 3.7″, 480 x 800 Pixels, SLCD Display
• Alarm – Yes
• Style – Candy Bar
• Speakerphone – Yes
• To-Do List – Yes
• Vibrate – Yes
• Voice Memo – Yes
• Voice-activated Dialing – Yes

Battery

• Standby Time – Up To 6 Days
• Talk Time – Up To 5 Hours
• Battery Type – Li-Ion

Technical Specifications

• 3G Data Speeds – Yes, Where Available
• WiFi – Yes
• Compatible Carrier – Verizon Wireless
• Data Download Speed – EVDO REV A
• Mobile Hotspot – Yes, 3G Mobile Hotspot Capable
• Processor Speed – 1GHz
• Dimensions – 4.7″ x 2.3″ x 0.5″
• Expandable Memory Capacity – Up To 32GB MicroSD
• Application Platform – Android 2.2
• Hearing Aid Compatible – Yes, M4/T3
• Manufacturer Model Name – DROID Incredible by HTC
• Micro-USB Port – Yes
• Multiple Numbers Per Name – Yes
• Network Compatibility – CDMA 800, 1900
• Phonebook Capacity – Dependant On Available Memory
• Platform / Operating System – Android 2.2
• Predictive Text Entry – Yes
• Processor Type – Snapdragon
• Standard 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack – Yes
• Touch Screen – Yes, Full Touch Virtual Keyboard
• Weight – 4.6 Ounces
• Built-In Memory – 8 GB

Order the Droid Incredible by HTC TODAY

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Will upcoming smart phone and other mobile marketing technology render plastic credit cards obsolete, or perhaps just a fall-back payment method? With more than 180 million credit card holders in the US alone, that possibility sounds ridiculous in this day and age,  but it really shouldn’t surprise anyone if that did happen in the not-too-far future.

The concept of credit certainly isn’t going anywhere, but changes in technology and the rise of smartphones at affordable pricing plans with incredible possibiliites may make present day credit cards a thing of the past.  Soon, consumers will be making payments by swiping their phone near a reader via a “Near Field Communication” (NFC) chip and Apple is on track to make this happen sooner than you think.

Read an interesting article on this topic here, but keep in mind that mobile marketing is just in its infancy, but it is here and it’s staying. You better get on board and adapt to this technology as it will no doubt be the wave of the future. They say success is finding out where people are going and get there first. Here’s your wakeup call regarding mobile marketing: if you haven’t done so already, get into SMS text message marketing first!

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Text message marketing is one thing – but the best part of developing a mobile marketing app is the fact that you’re constrained only by your imagination. Many companies are now taking advantage of this by hiring mobile application developers to create iPhone and iPad apps to increase their mobile marketing results.  HSN is the latest example of a successful endeavor of combining live streaming video added to iPad app to help customers shop. The mobile app provides a video library to watch live video from HSN or archived broadcasts offering info on exclusive products and the top brand names they bring to their customers from the world of fashion, kitchen, electronics, shoes, handbags, home accessories, you name it.

The power of the app is its customizable nature, where users can create their own personalized “channels” based on their individual preferences.  The iPad is great for video marketing. By adding video to your iPad app, you bring the app to life in a way where you can watch a video and shop at the same time via the app. The HSN app also provides product details, images, customer reviews, and related products for up-selling. Are you starting to see the power in such a mobile application?

Your product can be showcased via an iPad app in a similar manner. In fact, video should be at the forefront of all smart phone mobile marketing. Companies that do it right, such as HSN, will see tremendous benefits in targeting this area of marketing. Why? Watch this video below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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mCommerce (mobile commerce) is gaining popularity very quickly, especially now that the holiday season is upon us. However, many mobile users are expressing frustration with a number of mobile marketing applications from a variety of retailers for the simple fact that most are not very well thought out and that there are very few iPhone application developers that actually know what they’re doing.

Recent stats show that fewer than 5% of retailers have a mobile site and most mobile device users expressed frustration with retailers’ mobile applications. Folks, that’s known as opportunity for forward-thinking businesses and entrepreneurs. Coupons are largely considered the most useful part of an application. Here are some other ideas about what’s important to implement in a mobile application:

• The ability to view in-store specials of the day without actually entering the store.
• How to get directions to the nearest store.
• Get alerted to whether an item is in stock at that store.
• Have the ability to buy the product within the app without having to physically go to the store.
• Read user reviews of a specific product or service.
• Get alerts on products similar to ones already purchased by the user.
• List and review the purchases the customer already made at that particular store.

The trick is to create a mobile application for your brand that actually functions as a loyalty card to keep the customer coming back and making more and more purchases.  This can be done by providing SMS or MMS coupons delivered instantly to the mobile device, having the ability to scan a particular 2d bar code (QR code) for instant information on any product or service, and using a smartphone to scan the price of an item and adding it to your in-app shopping cart at checkout.

You need to contact a mobile application developer and work with that mobile app development team to make this happen for your product or service and claim your piece of the mobile marketing pie.

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When analysts predict a 127% growth factor for anything, you need to take notice. That’s exactly what their forecast is for iPad growth for 2011, and while having an application developed for your business for the iPhone is seen as a no-brainer in today’s mobile marketing world, it would be wise for businesses to not stop there and make sure they have an app compatible for the iPad as well.

Most people think an iPhone app and an iPad app are one in the same. They are not – while quite similar in functionality most of the time, there are subtle differences in operating systems that make it crucial that you make it clear to your mobile application developer that you need an application that works on the iPad as well as the iPhone.

And going a step further, it wouldn’t hurt to get that same mobile app available on the Android marketplace too, as Android is actually outselling and growing faster than Apple’s iPhone and iPad apps in terms of demand and sales. Just about all data shows the world going mobile – if you’re not riding this wave, you most certainly will be left behind your competition. If the industry predictions are right, by 2012 nearly 41 million Americans will have some sort of a mobile smart device. That’s a lot of eyeballs and potential customers if you don’t snooze at this opportunity.

And more good news: research also shows that tablet ownership (such as the iPad) is significantly higher among affluent adults – you know, the people with the money to actually buy your product! Marketing to people with money seems like a good idea, right? Mobile marketing allows you to push your message and brand to a targeted demographic who embrace technology and have the resources to buy. Any other questions why you should have a mobile application created for your business?

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It’s not just an iPhone app world anymore. The Android marketplace is growing by leaps and bounds these days and it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in to take advantage of how to use mobile marketing to build your brand. Kelley Blue Book is the latest example of a successful mobile marketing campaign as their Android app got downloaded 50,000 times in less than a month when it launched as part of its cross platform mobile marketing strategy.

Their free app provides car-buying and selling information helping car buyers make intelligent price purchase decisions. Why did they go mobile? Because people constantly have their mobile devices on their person, and when better to get car prices and info then when you’re at the dealership ready to make the purchase. Kelley Blue Book didn’t rest on their laurels with their iPhone app. They knew the marketplace was growing and made the decision to target the Android world as well.

You should too. How would 50,000 downloads of YOUR company’s app look to your bottom line? Impossible you say? – Not if you consult with competent mobile marketing professionals who can design, create, and implement your campaign correctly and create an app that’s effective, engaging, and addictive. That’s the essence of the Kelley Blue Book Android app – people use the information over and over again. It’s useful and because of that, it makes for an effective marketing piece.

Apps are a huge part of a mobile strategy because they deliver a better experience to the end-user and ultimately position your company as a leader in whatever industry you compete in. What’s the difference between your company and KBB? Simply put: KBB has already taken the initiative to develop their own mobile marketing app and you probably haven’t. It’s time you stopped reading about success stories and create one instead with the help of mobile application developers and marketers who know what they’re doing.

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Of all the smartphones sold in Q3, 44% of them ran Android. Meanwhile, only 22% ran RIM, and only 23% were iPhones. That’s terrible news for Apple, and also a wake up call for mobile app developers who seem to concentrate mainly on the iPhone and iPad application development world. Clearly, developing apps for the Android is of equal (or greater) significance as the Android continues to trend highly and dominate the smart phone marketplace by passing Apple.

Android’s surging past Research In Motion is even more impressive, as RIM is on all the major US carriers. RIM sells a variety of handsets, including “buy one get one free” deals. In the span of one year, the  RIM and Android trends have basically reserved themselves. The bottom line is this: in the past 6 months, Android is now the most popular operating system among those who have purchased cell phones. Blackberry RIM and Apple are neck and neck for second.

App developers need to take note of this trend and suggest to their clients that not only should applications be developed for iPhones and iPads, but also created for deployment as an Android app as well. If you want to reach a large portion of the marketplace via mobile marketing, this is a direction all businesses looking to dominate mobile devices need to look into.

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One of the greatest truisms I’ve encountered comes from Glen Dietzel’s coaching program regarding the implementation of both Milgram’s Law and Zipf’s Law, which when applied to mobile marketing or any industry for that matter, will arm you with the tools to gain an unfair advantage on your competition.

Milgram’s Law says that, “The marketplace will blindly believe the words of an expert.” Zipf’s Law says that “your ideal clients intentionally narrow their choices to those who are on top.” If you can use mobile marketing and text message marketing solutions to leverage both these laws together, you can basically establish any business that prevents any of your competitors from competing on your level, and that means massive sales and profits. In other words, if you want to win big and be successful in your business, you must be perceived as THE EXPERT in a single category of a niche market.

Today’s fastest growing companies are developing their own intellectual capital, as entrepreneur’s today are paid to think. The really successful ones have two things in common: they are creating systems from their real-life experiences to solve a specific problem in a specific target marketing, AND, they are taking their solutions mobile via text message marketing and various out-of-the-box forms of mobile marketing.

Since everything’s going to mobile devices, the smart marketers are positioning themselves as experts (Milgram’s Law) by leveraging new mobile marketing technology such as the development of iPhone and iPad apps, in addition to keyword branding and mobile “push” marketing. Then when potential customers see the fruits of their labors, they immediately decide to go with the expert’s recommendation (Zipf’s Law) without consulting anyone else.

Certified text message marketing is all about leveraging these two laws for massive results. And remember another great Glen Dietzel line as well: Greater sameness will NOT get you better results. We can learn a lot from this guy!

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