Back in the late nineties I worked on a system that produced store gift cards/vouchers. Fast forward to 2008-9 and I was working on mobile payments, NFC payments, stored
value cards on mobiles and even custom software for chip and pin terminals. More recently I’ve worked with a number of banks and money transfer services to build them mobile apps. (There are more than a couple of screenshots in the book that look VERY familiar!)
All in all it’s fair to say I have an interest and background in working with mobile payment solutions.
When I first heard about this book I became very interested. Mobile payment and money transfer is an area which I expect to grow considerably in the next few years and the recent announcements by Apple, with the iPhone 6, will only help fuel interest in this area and speed up growth.

The book is relatively short at just 7 chapters and a little over 200 pages but it’s packed with useful information.

The first chapter starts the book by providing some background on the history of money and how and why it is used. It provides the perfect grounding for the rest of the book.

The second chapter introduces the three payment types covered in the book: NFC; Cloud : and Closed loop. The description of each of these is intermingled with a few UX notes dotted about. I think it would have been nicer to have made the UX points stand out more. As I am familiar with the payment options and their pros and cons I would have liked to see the UX tips stand out more form the text so I didn’t risk skipping over them as I skimmed a paragraph about a subject I am already familiar with.

The third chapter is the first to provide some easy take-aways for the reader. It analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the design, payments, feedback and security aspects of popular mobile payment solutions available today in the US. Namely Google Wallet, ISIS, PayPal, LevelUp, Starbucks and GoWallet.

The fourth chapter is about building trust into mobile payments. It was while reading this chapter that I realized I had been reading this book with my “developers hat” on, rather than one of a designer. I think of myself as a developer who wants to understand design. I also hope that more developers take an interest in design and how it impacts what they are developing. Anyway, this chapter diverged from what I was expecting and had a strong focus on the psychology of the consumer (or person using the app). I found it really useful to have this focus and the idea of designing for the most common security concerns people have with mobile payments was explored in depth in the rest of the chapter.

The fifth chapter is about actually designing successful payment interactions. The chapter is full of useful advice if creating an interaction using NFC, Bar or QR codes, or geolocation. It even made me smile as I remembered back to building an app that displayed barcodes on an iPhone and testing it in actual supermarkets. I’m sure with the information from this chapter I could revisit many past applications and create improvements. My only criticism would be that it would be nice to touch upon iBeacons or similar when also focusing on geolocation as that would, I suspect, address some of the issues of a geolocation approach. (e.g. getting the wrong neighboring store.)

Chapter six feels somewhat of a mish-mash of topics. This is probably due to the nature of the chapter being about additional services that can be provided with a payment experience to bring a richer and more valuable user engagement. Depending on the original app or services purpose is will affect what additional services are appropriate. This chapter provides guidance on: managing finances; rewarding loyalty; offers and coupons; and travel.

The final chapter looks to the future. As Apple has such an influence in the mobile space (especially in the US – the market this book focuses on) it is right that there is talk about what Apple may do. (This includes consideration for iBeacons-as noted earlier.) Then there’s speculation on what may come from MCX (the Merchant Customer Exchange) and Facebook. The chapter concludes with a look at wearable devices and bio-metrics and how they may be part of payment experiences in the future. As it’s still early days for these technologies the book provides no specific guidance in using them though.

All in all a useful book. If you are, or are likely to be working with mobile payment with regard to mobile devices and apps then I recommend you buy and read this book.

There is also a website by the author that contains additional content (via a blog) and a collection of mobile wallet & payment UI design patterns: http://mobilepaymentux.com/

Disclaimer: The copy of this book was supplied for review as part of the O’Reilly User Group/Community program.

Firstly, on Saturday (20th) it’s the “Windows Apps JumpStart LIVE Series: Publish Hackathon”. More details and registration via http://aka.ms/winappspublishhack

Then, on Wednesday (24th) we’ll be hearing about Azure Mobile Services and Application Insights. If you haven’t heard of Application Insights before check out this article http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/developers/articles/week03sep14/improve-your-product-by-analysing-real-world-usage-data  More details and registration on Meetup – so we know how many are coming and can order food and drink accordingly (There’s NO NEED to register on both)

I hope to see you at one or both of the above.

At the May and June events, engineers from Microsoft’s Windows App Consult team attended.  These engineers work in Microsoft’s Global Business Support organisation providing assistance to Microsoft’s developer customers across the UK and Europe. The Windows App Consult team help developers ensure they have a quality application and can help with development issues, debugging, troubleshooting and reviewing apps. They can also highlight design issues and generally provide tips on how to improve applications.

Most of you said having a service like this would be useful so I’m working with Microsoft on the best way to secure us some resource and ensure the time is best utilised. Although useful to have an engineer at the event, we could probably make better use of time and provide more value to you by considering booking engineers for Remote App Consultation. This would mean that instead to getting 20-30 mins to discuss your application at the event, you can request a Remote App Consultation, which would give you individual time with an Engineer for up to 3 hours.  This time could be used more flexibly over phone and email to provide you with assistance.  Please note that depending on availability and the nature of your request it may take a few days to line somebody up to help you.

If you’ve got an app that’s almost finished or you need helping improving an app you’ve already released you can request a review by filling in the form at https://www.microsofttechupdate.co.uk/remote-app-consult-request/

Yes, 4 years ago today we held our first meeting. There have been 42 others since and number 44 will be on Wednesday.

While I’ve done most of the organisation there are many, many people who’ve been instrumental in making it a success. Whether that was with speaking, finding venues or helping on the day.

Thanks to:

Alan, Ali, Andrew F, Andy W, Apurva, Arivind, Arlene, Ashraf, Ben P, Boryana, Brandon, Cain, Chris S, Colin E, Dan S, Dan U, Daniel, Dave C, Dave H, David T, David W, Dean E, Derrick, Dominique L, George B, Gergely, Gill C, Glenn E, Glynn J, Hermit D, Hosain, Ian G, Iris C, Jaime K, James M, the other James M, Jay B, Jeffrey, Jim C, Johan, John C, Jonathan S, Laith, Lawrence, Lewis, Louis, Mark, Mark R, Martin B, Martin W, Melville, Michael J, Michelle, Mike H, Mike O, Mike T, Neil, Neil R, Ollie, Pat L, Patrick S, Paul F, Paul H, Paul L, Paul M, Pete, Pete V, Phil W, Rafe, Riaz, Rich, Richard C, the other Richard C, Rob F, Rob L, Sam, Sandra S, Sara A, Sebastian W, Sergey, Simon J, Simon R, Stuart H, Stuart L, Sumith, Tolu, Tristan, Wesley and Will
And probably many others I’ve forgotten/missed-sorry. You’re all marvelous!

It just wouldn’t have been the same without you all.

So, you’re an app developer. Want to know what the developer landscape looks like? Curious what other developers are doing? Wondering how the categories you build apps for compare with others? Inquisitive about how your app income compares?

All this and more can be discovered in the latest “State of the Developer Nation Q3 2014” report from Developer Economics.

Download it from: http://www.vmob.me/DE3Q14WPUG

Developers like you!

Lots of apps of all different kinds are being created. Why not share about your experiences at a meeting so we can all learn from each other.

If you’re interested in demoing your app at a meeting please get in touch.

At the London leg of the recent //publish/ event Microsoft had some staff in attendance who held drop in sessions to help with any development related questions. These were so popular they’ve offered to do a similar thing before our meeting next week (May 28th).

Come along to a trial Windows App Consult drop in session where you can meet with a member of Microsoft’s Global Business Support team.  Bring along your design, coding and troubleshooting topics to get advice and guidance from the guys that deliver support to Microsoft’s developer customers.  This will start from 5PM, before the main meeting, and continue through the evening.

For the sake of clarity this applies to your Windows and Windows Phone apps.

There’s no need to book, just turn up from 5pm for some extra assistance, if you need it, and then stay for the meeting afterwards.

As a trial we’re interested in your feedback on this. Thanks.

Our next meeting is on May 28th and will again be at

We’ll be hearing about the Application Developers Alliance and we’ll also be joined by Andy Wigley (from Microsoft) who will be recapping the highlights of the recent Windows Phone 8.1 Jumpstart and telling us all we need to know about universal apps.

If you can make it, it’ll be great to see you there.

If you’re planning to come it helps us plan catering if you can let us know. Please register via eventbrite OR meetup to let us know your intention.

If you’re working on your 1st app or your 101st, if it’s a new app or an update to an existing app, if it’s for Phone or Windows then //PUBLISH/ is the event for you.

What is it?
Worldwide, Microsoft are holding a number of events on the 16th and 17th of May to help people publish new or updated apps.
In London there will be an all-day (9am – 9pm) event on Saturday the 17th.

Why should you come?
There will be experts on hand to help with whatever aspects you need help with. Be it design, development, marketing or testing, experts from Microsoft will be on hand to help you out.
There will be goodie bags for all who submit their app to the store during the event.
There will also be prizes of devices for the best apps submitted on the day. (Separate categories for Windows & Phone and new & established developers mean that whatever your level of experience or the platform you’re targeting there is a good chance for you to leave with a prize.)
Whether you finish on the day or not, you’ll also be eligible for entry into the worldwide competition where the grand prize is a trip to the 2014 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
As you’d expect there will also be food and refreshments provided throughout the day.

Are you:
• someone building your first Phone app?
• someone building your first Windows (Store) app?
• someone building a new app (Phone or Windows) but having previously published other apps?
• someone porting an app from Windows to Phone?
• someone porting an app from Phone to Windows?
• someone updating an existing app (Phone or Windows) to add new features?
• someone updating an existing app (Phone or Windows) to target a newer version of the OS?

Then you can benefit from attending.

How to register?
Go to http://aka.ms/publishuk1 and enter your details. (You’ll also find more information about the event there too.)

See you there.

Having recently hired a WP8 Developer into a contract position an award winning Digital Agency in Central London now need a more senior developer for a separate 6 week project.

The spec is as follows:

Essential Skills:
– Solid knowledge of WP8 framework.
– Comfortable working with XAML and Blend (good knowledge of animation and UI layout, although not the main focus).
– Experience building both WP8 and Windows 8 applications.
– Experience with Bluetooth connectivity.

Beneficial Skills:
– Desirable experience with NFC.
– Understanding of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, TCP and UDP communication protocols applied to WP8 and Windows 8.
– Xbox One knowledge is a big plus (whether it’s knowledge about connectivity, Xbox Live, Xbox mechanics, or Smart Glass connectivity).
– App-to-App communication and App-to-Device communication techniques is a plus.
– Code Sharing techniques between WP8 and Windows 8 is a big plus.

This will be working on a Device Connectivity project with the rate entirely dependent on experience.

They require an immediate starter and can hold face to face interviews in Central London as soon as tomorrow.

For more info contact tom.townsend@24-7recruitment.net – +44 (0) 203 0510 247