Comments on: Obopay set to Launch: More Mobile Payments http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/ Startup and Technology News Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:23:42 -0800 hourly 1 By: مركز التحميل http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-3029682 مركز التحميل Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:50:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-3029682 Must be your connection or computer Rick. Still works for me Must be your connection or computer Rick. Still works for me

]]> By: MiniMerger: Obopay Aquires Billmonk http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-827749 MiniMerger: Obopay Aquires Billmonk Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:04:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-827749 [...] In a battle for relevance in the mobile payments space, mobile to mobile payment service Obopay has acquired social payment service Billmonk. Neither are disclosing the size of the acquisition, which is undoubtedly a tiny and probably stock for stock deal. The integration of the two services will first let users settle the debts they tracked on Billmonk instantly over Obopay’s mobile payment platform and eventually by email. You can see Obopay’s release here and Billmonk’s here. Founders Gaurav Oberoi and Chuck Groom will be moving to Obopay’s new Seattle office to focus on solving the “social accounting problem”. [...] [...] In a battle for relevance in the mobile payments space, mobile to mobile payment service Obopay has acquired social payment service Billmonk. Neither are disclosing the size of the acquisition, which is undoubtedly a tiny and probably stock for stock deal. The integration of the two services will first let users settle the debts they tracked on Billmonk instantly over Obopay’s mobile payment platform and eventually by email. You can see Obopay’s release here and Billmonk’s here. Founders Gaurav Oberoi and Chuck Groom will be moving to Obopay’s new Seattle office to focus on solving the “social accounting problem”. [...]

]]> By: MR-I http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-615184 MR-I Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:14:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-615184 Must be your connection or computer Rick. Still works for me Must be your connection or computer Rick. Still works for me

]]> By: rick http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-614730 rick Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:24:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-614730 www.obopay.com = dead link. where did they go? http://www.obopay.com = dead link. where did they go?

]]> By: MR-I http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-604340 MR-I Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:41:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-604340 I have heard of Smart, but don't know anyone here is the States that use them, is smart even avaliable here? Does it work with the US banking system? How does smart makes its money? How much does it cost me to send you money. -pk I have heard of Smart, but don’t know anyone here is the States that use them, is smart even avaliable here? Does it work with the US banking system? How does smart makes its money? How much does it cost me to send you money.

-pk

]]> By: jimbo http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-603163 jimbo Wed, 27 Dec 2006 01:25:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-603163 Funny how Obopay is trying to make a splash with mobile payments in the USA just now. SMART Communications in the Philippines has had a product called SMART Money that does everything that Obopay pays does since 2001! 5 years ago! Obopay seems to have replicated the whole concept right down to the use of a Mastercard Electronic debit card. The main difference is that Smart's Java client is saved on the SIM card - the Java menus are pushed over the air and saved on the SIM. This makes the system available to the even the older phones that don't run Java applications. see http://www.smart.com.ph/SMART/Value+Added+Services/Smart+Money Makes you wonder if Obopay's R&D simply consisted of seeing what else was out there around the world :-) Funny how Obopay is trying to make a splash with mobile payments in the USA just now. SMART Communications in the Philippines has had a product called SMART Money that does everything that Obopay pays does since 2001! 5 years ago! Obopay seems to have replicated the whole concept right down to the use of a Mastercard Electronic debit card.

The main difference is that Smart’s Java client is saved on the SIM card – the Java menus are pushed over the air and saved on the SIM. This makes the system available to the even the older phones that don’t run Java applications.

see http://www.smar...ces/Smart+Money

Makes you wonder if Obopay’s R&D simply consisted of seeing what else was out there around the world :-)

]]> By: David http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-474509 David Sat, 02 Dec 2006 18:58:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-474509 I signed up recently and have been using the service. It works really well. I use it with my fantasy football league. You have to give your SS# to get an account. But, I guess that is OK since they are backed by a bank and MasterCard. Also, they give you $5 for signing up and for everyone that you refer. It is worth checking out at www.obopay.com I signed up recently and have been using the service. It works really well. I use it with my fantasy football league. You have to give your SS# to get an account. But, I guess that is OK since they are backed by a bank and MasterCard. Also, they give you $5 for signing up and for everyone that you refer. It is worth checking out at http://www.obopay.com

]]> By: Lilly http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-258062 Lilly Wed, 11 Oct 2006 15:13:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-258062 Any News on Obopay uptake? Any News on Obopay uptake?

]]> By: Craig http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-98381 Craig Wed, 12 Jul 2006 10:25:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-98381 Interesting but what they will soon find out is that there is a huge difference between having an idea of what to do and doing it - ask us, we have been doing mobile payments in Africa for three years! One of the earlier comments above was right on the money, excuse the pun: Key will be "no-barrier to entry" and hence the ability to use cards and associated Visa/MasterCard Certification to do these transactions from Mobile will be key to the 2 billion Visa/MasterCard cardholders worldwide. The fact that they want to Issue a MasterCard as part of the solution may indicate that they are Card Issuer masquerading as a M-Payments solution as apposed to making sure that any customer from any bank, any card on any phone across any mobile network can use the service - Now that’s a challenge! Interesting but what they will soon find out is that there is a huge difference between having an idea of what to do and doing it – ask us, we have been doing mobile payments in Africa for three years! One of the earlier comments above was right on the money, excuse the pun: Key will be “no-barrier to entry” and hence the ability to use cards and associated Visa/MasterCard Certification to do these transactions from Mobile will be key to the 2 billion Visa/MasterCard cardholders worldwide. The fact that they want to Issue a MasterCard as part of the solution may indicate that they are Card Issuer masquerading as a M-Payments solution as apposed to making sure that any customer from any bank, any card on any phone across any mobile network can use the service – Now that’s a challenge!

]]> By: Tryst http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-27225 Tryst Thu, 13 Apr 2006 23:15:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-27225 I would argue that Obopay can be very successful, at least in the peer-to-peer market if they can 1) Build a great brand among teens/college kids; 2) Sign exclusive deals with financial institutions; and 3) Offer a great, steady, and secure product (we will see once they launch public). I love the merchant strategy centered around providing users with a free ATM card instead of having to go out and sign merchants one by one like others have done. I am sorry but as a long-time PayPal user, I just don't get the concept of text messaging long and complicated codes to pay someone from my cell phone. Why hasn't anyone else done a simple Java client that works instantly. I see Obopay, if successful, as a possible acquisition target in the near future. I would argue that Obopay can be very successful, at least in the peer-to-peer market if they can 1) Build a great brand among teens/college kids; 2) Sign exclusive deals with financial institutions; and 3) Offer a great, steady, and secure product (we will see once they launch public).

I love the merchant strategy centered around providing users with a free ATM card instead of having to go out and sign merchants one by one like others have done.

I am sorry but as a long-time PayPal user, I just don’t get the concept of text messaging long and complicated codes to pay someone from my cell phone. Why hasn’t anyone else done a simple Java client that works instantly.

I see Obopay, if successful, as a possible acquisition target in the near future.

]]> By: Jim http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-24226 Jim Fri, 31 Mar 2006 21:43:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-24226 The only way in the world I would consider using such a service is if my phone had a dedicated "pay" button. Navigating the RAZR's menus are nothing but a pain - it would take me half the time to hand over my credit card. The only way in the world I would consider using such a service is if my phone had a dedicated “pay” button. Navigating the RAZR’s menus are nothing but a pain – it would take me half the time to hand over my credit card.

]]> By: Dave http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-24120 Dave Fri, 31 Mar 2006 15:24:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-24120 The website is aweful. Looks like a web version of a "B" movie. The website is aweful. Looks like a web version of a “B” movie.

]]> By: dusoft http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23836 dusoft Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:26:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23836 what about paypay.com ? what about paypay.com ?

]]> By: mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23800 mark Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:25:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23800 Based on European and Asian markets, this doesn't really stand a chance imo. The whole point of mobile payments is impulse/conveniance and remote purchases, having to install a j2me client first is a massive barrier to entry. I hate to say it but reverse bill is still the way to go until you get cross carrier billing systems like the ill fated SimPay in the UK. Hello Obopay, goodbye Obopay. In our old payment system we used premium reverse texts and online paypal to buy content from the web, with Paypal we lost 5% of gross, with reverse text we lost over 40%, but still made more money as it was hugely more popular. Paypal's new mobile offering is one to watch though albeit still a bit fiddly... Based on European and Asian markets, this doesn’t really stand a chance imo. The whole point of mobile payments is impulse/conveniance and remote purchases, having to install a j2me client first is a massive barrier to entry. I hate to say it but reverse bill is still the way to go until you get cross carrier billing systems like the ill fated SimPay in the UK. Hello Obopay, goodbye Obopay.

In our old payment system we used premium reverse texts and online paypal to buy content from the web, with Paypal we lost 5% of gross, with reverse text we lost over 40%, but still made more money as it was hugely more popular.

Paypal’s new mobile offering is one to watch though albeit still a bit fiddly…

]]> By: Nick http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23792 Nick Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:41:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23792 It would be great to send money to another phone through bluetooth. Then allow payments to be made to parking meters/vending machines/stores/gas stations supporting the bluetooth payment system all by using your phone. Pretty sweet. It would be great to send money to another phone through bluetooth. Then allow payments to be made to parking meters/vending machines/stores/gas stations supporting the bluetooth payment system all by using your phone.

Pretty sweet.

]]> By: Saul Weiner http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23766 Saul Weiner Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:15:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23766 With cellphones used so differently in the States, I wonder if these services can ever really make it here. I honestly think it'll be a longer while. With cellphones used so differently in the States, I wonder if these services can ever really make it here. I honestly think it’ll be a longer while.

]]> By: Jeroen van Velzen http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23762 Jeroen van Velzen Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:57:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23762 It seems the mobile payment market is gaining momentum in the US. I will personally put my money on banks, mobile (virtual) operators or existing payment service providers (think paypal). We launched a mobile payment service in the Netherlands in 2002. That was web 0.8 ;-) When we started two other strartups entered the market as well. None of us really became succesful. Our two collegue startups went bankrupt. Our service is still working but we stopped actively marketing the service as we we're unable to 'cross the chasm'. The problem to be solved by all of these startups will be the cliche: chicken - egg: Retail needs consumers to accept the service and consumers need retail to subscribe. So you will at least need: - a very large user base to leverage on. One cannot build a solid consumer and merchant base out of 10mio alone ;-) - stop thinking payments and start thinking sales. Merchants are primarily interested in higher sales volume, not lowering transaction cost. So use the mobile asset to create new sales channels. Be nice to see who'll survive. Good luck. PS Sorry: Site in Dutch only. It seems the mobile payment market is gaining momentum in the US. I will personally put my money on banks, mobile (virtual) operators or existing payment service providers (think paypal).

We launched a mobile payment service in the Netherlands in 2002. That was web 0.8 ;-) When we started two other strartups entered the market as well. None of us really became succesful. Our two collegue startups went bankrupt. Our service is still working but we stopped actively marketing the service as we we’re unable to ‘cross the chasm’.

The problem to be solved by all of these startups will be the cliche: chicken – egg: Retail needs consumers to accept the service and consumers need retail to subscribe. So you will at least need:
- a very large user base to leverage on. One cannot build a solid consumer and merchant base out of 10mio alone ;-)
- stop thinking payments and start thinking sales. Merchants are primarily interested in higher sales volume, not lowering transaction cost. So use the mobile asset to create new sales channels.

Be nice to see who’ll survive. Good luck.

PS Sorry: Site in Dutch only.

]]> By: Robert http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23728 Robert Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:45:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23728 I know there is alot of hatred towards PayPal in the eBay community, so I dunno. I think they all have equal chances at this point... I know there is alot of hatred towards PayPal in the eBay community, so I dunno. I think they all have equal chances at this point…

]]> By: Mobile Herald | Obopay set to launch http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23726 Mobile Herald | Obopay set to launch Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:41:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23726 [...] Obopay set to launch according to Tech Crunch [...] [...] Obopay set to launch according to Tech Crunch [...]

]]> By: EricIsDeliriou5 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23704 EricIsDeliriou5 Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:37:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23704 While there may be a lot of entrants into the mobile payment market (more yet to come I'm sure), I would look for existing payment providers to be able to succeed where others may not. Making payments between various banks & accounts over the ACH network can be an expensive process to get in to, but for existing market leaders in the payment business (eg: CheckFree, etc) they will be able to leverage existing processes and infrastructure to make the mobile payment service profitable. While there may be a lot of entrants into the mobile payment market (more yet to come I’m sure), I would look for existing payment providers to be able to succeed where others may not. Making payments between various banks & accounts over the ACH network can be an expensive process to get in to, but for existing market leaders in the payment business (eg: CheckFree, etc) they will be able to leverage existing processes and infrastructure to make the mobile payment service profitable.

]]> By: Dave HS http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23703 Dave HS Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:37:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23703 Interesting that the phone in the photo is (or soon will be) RFID-enabled with Nokia's Near Field Communication technology... http://www.nokia.com/nfc Combining mobile payments with RFID chips opens up even more exciting possibilities. Interesting that the phone in the photo is (or soon will be) RFID-enabled with Nokia’s Near Field Communication technology…
http://www.nokia.com/nfc

Combining mobile payments with RFID chips opens up even more exciting possibilities.

]]> By: Mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23684 Mark Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:12:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23684 At some point in the future it would be nice to see the funds pulled from a digital gold currency account (www.e-gold.com) and not a CC or bank based account. Very exciting what is progressing with mobile payments. At some point in the future it would be nice to see the funds pulled from a digital gold currency account (www.e-gold.com) and not a CC or bank based account. Very exciting what is progressing with mobile payments.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23651 Jon Thu, 30 Mar 2006 10:12:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23651 What about Treo support? The Treo 600/650s (Palm) are everywhere and I dont' see it in the list. What about Treo support?

The Treo 600/650s (Palm) are everywhere and I dont’ see it in the list.

]]> By: Eric Willis http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/comment-page-1/#comment-23611 Eric Willis Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:29:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/29/obopay-set-to-launch-more-mobile-payments/#comment-23611 This market is becoming very active. It will be interesting to see where this all goes. My money is on Ebay. They can easily leverage the userbase of Paypal and they have the resources to make it happen. However, without really seeing these other services in action and knowing their plans in terms of execution...it is a weak guess at this point. I just think the competition will need to sign exclusives with the carrier or develop some really beautiful software and scale rapidly and get to critical mass to beat Paypal in this market because of their ability to just leverage their current userbase to enter the mobile market. This market is becoming very active. It will be interesting to see where this all goes. My money is on Ebay. They can easily leverage the userbase of Paypal and they have the resources to make it happen. However, without really seeing these other services in action and knowing their plans in terms of execution…it is a weak guess at this point. I just think the competition will need to sign exclusives with the carrier or develop some really beautiful software and scale rapidly and get to critical mass to beat Paypal in this market because of their ability to just leverage their current userbase to enter the mobile market.

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