Yep, I finally broke down and bought the relatively new Amazon Fire tablet.  People are increasingly browsing the web using mobile devices, so it was time to get one myself.

A few observations – despite what some people claim, typing is rather slow.  I find the keys a little small for my fingers, so I have to be careful.  If you are a touch typer, you’ll be slow.

It’s hard to click links or form elements on a website – I know you can zoom in, but in a normal view it can be extremely challenging to press in the right spot for the link.  I find myself longing for a stylus for better precision.

Otherwise, I like it.  Amazon has it synchronizing pretty well with their site, so you can get your content easily to the tablet.  I’m not into the apps yet, but for reading and light browsing, it’s a nice piece of hardware.

In a recent usability study, users were asked to complete some normal tasks using mobile web sites.   Using standard smartphones, the users could complete 62% of the tasks assigned.  That seems reasonable for these small and slow devices…but I’d note two things:

1.  These were mobile web sites – designed specifically for users of these types of phones.  That says to me that we need to do a lot better with our mobile sites.  It also indicates that maybe smartphones are a little too small to use for everything.  Imagine if we did away with 8.5×11 inch paper and forced content to be communicated on 3×5 index cards?  It never happened, even though the “technology” was there.

2.  38% of tasks failed!  That’s a huge number if you are trying to sell something, or provide customers with information they need.

I’d also say that the future of the mobile web is very much a question mark.  Do all websites need to offer fully functional mobile counterparts, or some sort of hybrid?  Meaning that some functionality is available for a mobile site, but not everything.  It strikes me that the screen size is a bit limitation, and that people will realize that.  Perhaps future smartphones will provide some way to cast a virtual screen that’s larger, or something.  In the meantime, I think people will continue to use multiple devices and accept the limitations of each.

If you are a mobile merchant – that is, you often set up a booth to sell your wares, or collect payments from clients while on the road, then having a solution to take credit card payments might appeal to you.  CDG Commerce offers just the thing you need – a wireless terminal.  Take a look:

CDG's wireless credit card terminal

CDG Commerce is known for providing a low cost processing solution, and this is no different.  The wireless access is $20 / month, and the merchant account is an additional $10 (which includes a web virtual terminal, and ecommerce capabilities).  If you are looking for low cost processing, this is it!

You can read more and apply for the service here.

Google launched its “wallet service” as described here:
Google Wallet Rings Up Visa, Amex, Discover as Partners

This is an interesting way to pay for items, but it does require merchants to sign up and have specialized hardware at their registers.  I understand the appeal of these kinds of systems, but I’m wondering if they will really take off.

Here’s my question – does this really make it easier to pay for things?  The current system of pulling out your “real” wallet, swiping a card, and signing a piece of paper is pretty painless right now.  I suppose this reduces some security concerns, but it does add more management tasks for the consumer – funding the account, keeping card information updated online, etc.   Also, you need a phone that supports it – which many people still do not have.  Most people have pockets or purses, which is all you need to put a “real” wallet.

It’ll be interesting to see how it goes – the current pay system is pretty well entrenched, and convenient, so I think it will be hard to displace.

If you are a merchant, contractor or any other business owner who has the need to charge credit cards when you are out of the office, Authorize.net’s new “mobile app” may be for you.  Here’s a page describing the mobile app.

Authorize.net is a leading payment solutions provider, and has been a leader in e-commerce since the early days of the Internet.  They have announced the release of a new “mobile app” that allows merchants to bill credit cards using their iPhone.

You need to have a merchant account with Authorize.net to get started.  Once you download the app, you can process payments anywhere you use your iPhone.

Here are some advantages to the new app:

• Multiple Payment Types: Process real-time credit and signature debit transactions from major payment networks (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover)
• Secure Access: Integrated with the Authorize.Net Merchant Interface–merchants use their existing credentials to access the app and can validate the legitimacy of a specific device from within the Merchant Interface itself
• Flexible Settings: Set up a default tax rate, accept tips and gather shipping information when necessary
• History: Review transaction history (processed or pending) and perform voids and refunds
• Email Receipt: Merchants’ customers can receive a transaction receipt by email
• Free Support: Merchants continue to receive Authorize.Net’s award-winning customer support for the mobile app through our online support center, eTicket, email, chat and phone

This app should primarly benefit those who frequently need to accept payments while on the road – contractors, handymen, craft show exhibitors, farmers market vendors, etc.  It integrates with your normal merchant account, so all your payments go through the same system.

If you are not currently a Authorize.net customer, you can sign up for an account through our reseller form.