Google Ready To Rule NFC-Based Mobile Payments? 87
itwbennett writes "Google may seem like an odd pioneer for mobile payments, says blogger Ryan Faas, but according to recent reports, the company is developing its own NFC payment solution. Here's why Faas thinks Google has a leg up in this emerging market: 'Google does have a lot of clout when it comes to NFC because the recent launch of the Nexus S and Gingerbread (the most recent Android release) offer the first truly widespread smartphone/NFC integration. That could give Google significant bargaining power. It also makes a certain sense to expect Google to try to lead in this area when you consider that the company is hyping mobile search and recommendation features.'"
Re:NFC (Score:4, Insightful)
Most folks who have analyzed the videotape format war agree Betamax was technically superior, at least at first. Technical superiority played no part in the ultimate victory of VHS over Betamax. It was a great example of the network effect. In essence, VHS was popular because simply it was popular, like certain celebrities who are famous only for being famous.