As I watched the news this morning I saw an interview with one of the head honchos at the Salvation Army talking about the use of mobile technology to collect donations.  According to WPRI.com Eyewitness News in a story entitled “Charity thinking outside of the kettle this year” written by By Diana Pinzon:

The Salvation Army is thinking outside of the kettle this year. You’ve always been able to donate to the charity with cash and loose change, now you can use your cell phone to contribute. The organization has adopted smart phone technology that allows tech-savvy donators to scan a quick response or QR code at many red kettles in the area. All you need is your cell phone.

Simply scan the QR code and it takes you right to the Salvation Army’s website, there you can fill out your personal information and how much you want to donate. This time of year, the Salvation Army helps parents put presents under the tree and food on the table. Their motto is when you give money, expect change.

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/massachusetts/attleboro-salvation-army-goes-high-tech

Salvation Army goes high tech: wpri.com (link to video)

A few days ago Dan Foreman, a local Handy Man turned down a $3000 job because his business didn’t accept credit card payments. Until now he couldn’t justify the added expense. After a conversation about Internet Marketing and specifically using Mobile technology, Dan learned that he could use a simple plug-in device called Square to process credit cards from his iPhone. There is no expensive credit card terminals, no monthly carrying charges – just a flat per transaction fee.

That simple tip put $3000 in Dan’s pocket and has opened his business to even greater possibilities.  If you would like to see the mobile credit card reader in action click this link

http://mobilemarket247.com/how-to-charge-credit-cards-using-mobile-phone/

According to Juniper Research, Mobile payments are poised to reach $200 Billion by 2012. With such impressive numbers, businesses have to embrace the fact that to sell anything online they will have to account for the growing number of mobile device users. Simply put, businesses can’t sell anything to a mobile customers without a mobile checkout or shopping cart that is designed and optimized specifically for mobile devices like smartphones and tablet pcs.  The most trusted online brands that have a mobile checkout capability are: Apple, Amazon, Paypal and Google. All of them except Apple allow end users to use their shopping care platform. Amazon and Paypal feature the same easy one-click-checkout procedure for existing customers – very handy when using a mobile device.

If you use WordPress to create your mobile optimized websites, you should check out this new tool. It clones your ENTIRE blog in seconds, so you can move it to anywhere you want or use it to create a backup copy. IT WORKS FOR ANY WORDPRESS WEBSITE!

It’s so fast I create backups after making even minor changes.

The real cool feature though is “deploying” your clones – this will save you hundreds of hours. I replicated an entire blog site to a new domain in under a minute!

Many developers use Wp-touch for a very good WordPress touch compatible site.  If you want something more custom try the WordPress Mobile Edition (Carrington) plugin which offers a custom mobile theme.

This also a great way to leverage existing work you’ve done by cloning, making minor changes and SHAZAM- a brand new website ready for sale to a new client!

If you do a lot of blog set ups, you can automate them and save a ton of time, energy and money.  Also, it comes with some “already cloned” stuff you can “one click” and deploy – VERY NICE!!

Check it out…click here ►►► www.Ez.com/wpclone

BTW, if you want an easy, state-of-the-art tool for creating a Mobile optimized website in minutes click here www.Ez.com/ezmobilewebsite

The United States Postal Service (USPS) believes it will increase the value of direct mail and building awareness around integrating mobile technology into direct mail communications by introducing the 2011 Mobile Barcode Promotion to increase the Return on Investment of your marketing campaigns. That’s a fancy was of saying they area promoting the use of  QR Codes or quick response codes. See http://mobilemarket247.com/what-is-a-2d-barcode/

In what is USPS refers to as their “2011 Mobile Barcode Promotion” the campaign builds awareness of mobile technology and demonstrates to mailers how mobile barcodes, like QR Codes, can increase the value of mail. The promotion provides business mailers with an upfront discount on Standard and First-Class mail letters and flats that include a two-dimensional barcode that can be read or scanned by a smart phone. All companies can participate and the promotion requires no application and no advanced registration.

Near Field Communications is another technological component in the coming Mobile Marketing revolution. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology makes life easier and more convenient for consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.

Imagine you’re late for the opening day show of the hottest new movie premier. You get to the box office and there’s a line stretching about the corner. No problem, with NFC you walk right up to the ticket office, tap the movie poster with your smartphone and immediately your tickets are purchased and you’re off to buy popcorn!

To see near field in use check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb3tmTIRHbw

I almost forgot to share this. Last Tuesday I met with my newest client to get started on his project. He wants a mobile website to promote some rental properties his owns in Costa Rica. I brought a service agreement with the terms we agreed to ready for his signature and to collect a retainer check. As luck would have it he forgot to walk with his checkbook. Ordinarily, this would mean waiting for the check to come in the mail…that is, if he didn’t change his mind. Instead of risking that possibility I told him I was able to charge the retainer to any major credit card. He was delighted and eagerly whipped out a Visa card.

Here’s how it went. First, I plugged my Square card reader into my Android Incredible. I entered the dollar amount of my retainer. I took his picture as proof of purchase and entered his email address. A receipt of the purchase is automatically sent to the customer.  He then used his index finger to sign the “phone.” The credit card processor authorized the charge in a few seconds. That was it! I got a receipt by email confirming the purchase and within a few days the funds were deposited into my checking account.

Google released an update designed to reduce rankings for low-quality sites, that is website have low-value add for users. For example, websites that copy content from other websites or sites that are just not particularly very useful. Conversely, Google said it will provide better rankings for high-quality websites; websites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis and so on. Read the full story here http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/finding-more-high-quality-sites-in.html

Imagine this, you’re at the checkout counter at a local convenience store and buy a two litre bottle of your favorite soda. The cashier says the price is $2.29. Instead of reaching for your wallet or debit card you whip out your smartphone and tap the credit card machine. The cash register prints a receipt and you’re on your way.

The technology is called New Field Communications or NFC. NFC is a short-range wireless technology that allows for the exchange of data between two devices in close proximity. According to Mobile Marketing experts, it will serve as the basis of mobile ecommerce payment systems, ticketing and transportation services.

According to NFCTimes, a site dedicated to covering NFC-related news, the new Samsung Wave 578, Galaxy S II wich has a touchscreen, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth 3.0, is also available with NFC capabilities. It is scheduled for release in France, Spain and Poland by the second quarter of 2011.

The release of NFC enabled phones is signaling the start of mobile payments initiatives in major markets, supported by both operators and banks. This year we will see more and more programs like this launching. In the U.S., Bank of America will roll out its own NFC-enabled mobile payments system sometime this year.

U.S. operators have also teamed up on their own mobile payments service called Isis and Google is reportedly developing its own. This major area of development to watch in mobile this year, and will have a broad impact on the way we go about our daily lives. (excepted from:  http://www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2011/02/new-nfc-enabled-phones-to-hit-europe.php)