2013 - Not the Year of Mobile Wallet But Better Luck Next Year

By Kam Taitt

Smartphones have continued to become the most personal and integral device in consumers’ day-to-day lives. The consumption of apps and operating system base features like Google Now and Siri provide so much convenience to consumers that the adoption of mobile wallets has been both seamless and organic.
The proliferation of loyalty schemes, cards and discount programs has made it difficult for consumers to manage. The mobile wallet is providing consumers with timely, location-relevant reminders about discounts and promotions for the services they belong to.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, smartphones have caught up with mobile wallet technology. We're past the trial phase; mobile wallets are now extremely reliable and beneficial to consumers’ shopping experiences.

Players in the Mobile Wallet Category
iOS Passbook: Perhaps the most talked about feature of the iPhone 5 was Passbook. Passbook allows users to store virtual cards, tickets, coupons and offers in iOS devices — a feature that would even make George Costanza blush because it streamlines the payment process and allows for less waste.