Philips/Visa usability study shows consumers like contactless payment technology (NFC)

“Royal Philips Electronics and Visa International released the results of a new usability study of Near Field Communication (NFC) and contactless payment technology, which showed that consumers like the convenience, ease of use and “coolness” of making transactions with their mobile phones.”

“NFC facilitates secure, short-range communication between electronic devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, computers and payments terminals via a fast and easy wireless connection. Combined with contactless payment technology, NFC can enable secure and convenient purchases with a mobile device.”

“Using an NFC-enabled mobile phone, participants in the usability study conducted transactions in several different scenarios – making a purchase at a coffee shop, downloading a movie trailer in a DVD store, shopping from a TV at home, and buying concert tickets from a smart poster.”

“Participants in the usability study accepted and appreciated the concept of incorporating information transfer and secure payment functionality into mobile phones. Retail purchases with a mobile phone were particularly well received, as participants found Philips NFC technology and Visa contactless payments easy to understand, convenient and fast.”

Of interest is that the press release mentions that several major trials are underway around the world to understand the benefits NFC technology can bring to people’s everyday lives. These trials include the Philips Arena stadium in Atlanta (to easily buy goods at concession stands and apparel stores), City of Caen in France (secure payment in selected retail stores, parking facilities and information download about famous tourist sites, movie trailers and bus schedules), the German public transport network operator RMV (to buy, store and use tickets around the bus network in the city of Hanau, near Frankfurt), and Taiwan’s Proximity Mobile Transaction Service Alliance (secure payments for access to Taiwan’s public transport network)

Read full press release: Philips | Visa

(via UsabilityNews)