Tech to protect mobile users

Three design innovations to tackle mobile phone crime have been released, says TMCnet. The prototypes were developed for the Mobile Phone Security Challenge, which aims to protect users from crimes such as mobile phone identity fraud, which rose by over 70% in 2009.

I-migo is a small device the user carries which sounds an alert and locks the handset if it is taken out of a set range - either through theft or loss. The 'tie' solution electronically matches a handset to a SIM card and protects data stored on the handset with a password and encryption.

The third solution, TouchSafe, makes m-commerce transactions more secure by using a small card worn by the user, who discreetly touches the phone to the card to enable the transaction.

Dymocks customers are set to reap the benefits of the Booklover's Rewards programme, following news that the retail book franchise has partnered with Vii, a retail customer loyalty company, reports Franchising.

The franchise's new POS software from Advance Retail Technology combined with the partnership with Vii will help Dymocks upgrade its rewards programme. The system will allow customers to be identified at the point of purchase and transactions can be processed without the need for a card.

Customers can also access their Booklovers rewards balance in real-time with an enhanced Web site where members can view the latest offers and update changes to their membership details.

US discount chain Target is letting customers use mobile phones to redeem gift cards as more consumers use phones with Internet access, states APP.

Target Mobile GiftCard allows users to retrieve gift-card barcodes online with their phones for scanning at checkout. The technology, available in all 1 740 US locations, means customers don't need to carry their cards to the stores.

“Mobility is a really important issue for retailers,” says Paula Rosenblum, a managing partner at Miami-based Retail Systems Research. It could be “detrimental” to retailers if they didn't engage consumers who have phones with Web access, she adds.