Mobile Content Bits: MasterCard Mobile Sticker; Truphone; Social Networks Via Message
– MasterCard Mobile Sticker: MasterCard and Blaze Mobile have launched the Blaze Mobile MasterCard PayPass mobile payment sticker, which is effectively a small sticker containing an RFID chip which can be attached to your mobile phone, and which will let the person use “Tap & Go” PayPass services at over 141,000 locations. The RFID sticker is linked to a prepaid account. The idea is to get around the chicken/egg problem of introducing RFID payment systems into a market where the majority of handsets don’t have an RFID chip. (release)
– Truphone’s $40 a Month Unlimited Plan: VoIP startup Truphone has announced a plan — TruUnlimited for Mobiles — that allows unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles in 69 countries for $40 a month (unlimited is defined as 3000 minutes a month, no call longer than an hour). This could be a pre-emptive strike now that Skype has announced an iPhone client.
– Mobile Social Networks Via Messages: Mobixell has released a service for operators which will let people access social networks and user-generated content sites via messages rather than have to download a client. The attraction for operators is to encourage users with lower handsets to upgrade their plans and send more messages. (release)
There are so many tactics or gimmicks by mobile network companies to encourage more users to shift into their service. It seems like mobile units are turning into handy PCs because of their services.