Ericsson says its just-launched In Application Payment service gives consumers in a game or other application the ability to rapidly complete a purchase with just one click, and without leaving the app. The service is based on the company’s IPX service platform, integrated to more than 120 carriers.
Consumers don’t need a credit card, and need nothing but their mobile phone to complete the payment.
“People are spending increasing amounts of time and money on applications. Research firm Ovum projects that revenues from paid mobile apps will top USD 3.7 billion in 2011 and expects this to increase to USD 7.7 billion in 2016," said Adam Kerr, head of Ericsson’s M Commerce business. “In order to reach these kinds of numbers it’s got to be easy for the consumer."
Ericsson says In-App Payment opens applications to many more buyers and allows retailers to flexibly offer a range of payment models, including “try before you buy" as well as rental and subscription models. The model can be applied to game levels, maps, and digital content such as music, books and other in-application assets. A virtual currency can even be used for very small measured in cents.
For application developers and content providers, the service comes with the flexibility of wrapper technology and an SDK (Software Development Kit), making it simple to offer alternative payment methods within their applications. The In Application Service automatically adjusts to the many different technical payment options used by mobile networks globally and makes it easier for them to retail applications over networks in many different countries, Ericsson said.
