Mobile Monday Frankfurt on Mobile Payments

Last night I attended MoMo in Frankfurt and I had a great time, even though one Dr. Guru research man (with whom I disagreed on every word) did talk for about an hour. But despite that,  what a great event.

I really enjoyed it and I met a few very interesting people. NeoMedia’s Thomas Hinterleithner was there giving demonstrations. I managed to eves drop on a very interesting conversation between NeoMedia and another sponsor. I can’t say much but there is and remains a general lack of understanding as to what barcodes are and what they can do – which needs to be addressed. I say this only because some questions addressed to NeoMedia were very very basic. People still don’t realise that you use the camera to take a picture and try to scan the barcode on the picture with the IVR.
But then I also had the pleasure of meeting Markus Hammrich from the ZIV – Zentrum fur Integriete Verkehrsysteme. I really like him and he gave me a NFC (Near Field Communications) demonstration – without the NFC device!
Yes! In something that I found very strange there is an on device client for buying tickets on the Frankfurt underground in a matter of clicks – even without a NFC device.
Visa gave a fantastic presentation. But at the day, Visa is nowhere in Germany because the bank system is so old fashioned.
The general agenda of MoMo Monday was about empowering mobile payments. But in reality what came out of the discussion is how there are a lot of companies working in this area –but little traction.

Personally, I believe the mobile marketing and advertising poses a huge opportunity in Germany where free tends to be a dirty word. Offering services and data for free or ad-funded will have an impact on a market where its still more fashionable to store your money under the bed than it is putting it in the bank!

Mobile payments are potentially vital, but only for instant gratification deals like last minute holidays or retainers on apartments and not really purchasing mobile content.

Thank-you to Markus Huber for moderating!

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