Technology in society today has been growing at a great speed. New gadgets are constantly being created and even redesigned to keep people up with new concepts and updates. So much technology at times seems to be overwhelming, with the many features that sometimes many of us, including myself don't even know how to use. One thing for sure is that they are keeping us consumers on our toes. When we think a product can't get any better, companies show us that definitely is not the case.
For example, the new Apple Ipad 2 , which is being produced and created at the time, has some new features and others that still have not been mentioned. Other products such as smartphones are carrying new features and benefits, like the Google Nexus S phone contains. The Nexus S has new, specially featured technology, called the Near-Field Communications (NFC). With this new feature, customers purchasing a product/products can easily get their smartphone, and slide the handset over the counter and have easily made a transaction; it doesn't matter whether they are buying a pack of gum to go on a date or if they are purchasing a Technology for Dummies book at their local bookstore; it works! Tens of thousands of stores have already decided to accept this new form of payment. Many products are being created and have been adapted to add this feature in order to be first to use the payment form.
Interestingly, a major company which is known as Orange company, a mobile service company wants this feature to be carried on Apple products. Can you imagine going to the grocery store and paying with your Ipad, or Iphone? Hopefully one of those "unmentioned" features the Ipad 2 is going to carry will be the NFC technological feature. That sure would be nice, don't you think? The customer value incorporated in the facilitation of not having to carry more than your phone seems extremely beneficial.
Yet, we must remember we live in a society where fraudulent transactions on bank accounts and credit cards is not very surprising. That is the major concern for most who are interested in the NFC feature. The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should take into account the same protection features credit cards have and debit cards have when fraudulent charges are made. I know that if I accidentally "misplace" my cell phone, I don't want to be held liable for purchases made that weren't mine. I know the feeling, having had $ 400 worth of fraudulent charges from multiple locations including Best Buy, BP Gasoline, and Victoria Secret days ago. I am a regular college student, who makes it day by day with pennies at a time. I can only imagine a NFC product without any safety features! I would prefer sticking to credit/ debit cards if I wouldn't be reimbursed my money. The innovation of a safety feature seems highly satisfying when consumers decide to use the feature in the upcoming future.
Until next time,
Aileen Valido
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Aileen, I can completely relate to your post. Technology changes so quickly that products that came out today are not as advanced as the ones coming out tomorrow. I am not the most up-to-date person with computers, cell phones, or entertainment products but it’s for a reason. I’m a college student with very few founds and I have to make do with what I have, but I do know about all the new technology constantly coming out. I may not know how to use all of it but I am willing to learn if a friend is willing to teach me. Another reason why I decided not to have the newest technology is because it’s always changing and prices are constantly dropping. Why would I pay $200 for a cell phone today when it hits the market instead of waiting a few weeks when the price will drop because competitors come out with a similar model? Customers need to become more product and price savvy in order to get more for their dollar.
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