Google Acquires Softcard Technology, Inks Deal With Carriers to Pre-Install Google Wallet on Android Devices

[Trapezoid]

Lol, only here I can read something like "the resurgence of interest in the smart watch is not Apple's doing but that credit really belongs to Pebble".
Pebble. Seriously.....

Lol. Something like this would be EXACTLY what I'm talking about. I've seen it too, and it's just so crazy and incomprehensible that people would say such things, but it happens all the time. It's almost unreal.

 

[Max(IT)]

I agree if someone says Apple invented these things that they should be corrected and possibly laughed at. That's rare though.

Most of what you see here is people saying Apple actually improved upon existing technology and make it mainstream (which they very often do to the point where it's expected of them), and then some android person finding some obscure schematic from the 80s to show that Apple wasn't the first. It's silly and as fanboyish as it gets.

The denial is ridiculous.

I couldn't have said it better.

----------

Lol. Something like this would be EXACTLY what I'm talking about. I've seen it too, and it's just so crazy and incomprehensible that people would say such things, but it happens all the time. It's almost unreal.

It happens all the time here.
Do you remember what happened when Apple launched iPhone 5S with TouchID? Android supporters stormed the forum saying that the Motorola i-dont-even-remember-the-name had it two years before.
Seriously ! An almost unknown Motorola model with zero market share
Apple doesn't invent biometric sensor. They just made it usable for the masses.
And today Samsung is trying hard to implement something similar (with poor results so far).

----------

you should see the android central comment section. the Forums aren't so bad, but there are lots of Apple fanboys who troll there. it happens everywhere these days.

People seem to grow emotional bonds to their technology. And they must prove to themselves, by way of proving to everyone else that the products th ey purchased are the best.

its a form of Cognitive Dissonance. The need for re-assurance thatwhat they purchased, with the belief it's the best option, is in fact, the best option. (Whether or not it's true).

Apple is a master of marketing and master of helping, through rhetoric, corporate policy and their public face at helping support this image. Other companies in the world do it too, so it's not a unique thing.

Car companies do it as well. Those commercials allover TV aren't just to showcase new cars. They're to convince the person who already bought the item, that they did in fact, buy the best truck/car.

Cognitive Dissonance is an interesting phenomenon. I recommend everyone (especially fanboys from both camps) read up on what it is, as it often explains the fanboy syndrome.

I'm more of a hardware agnostic guy when it comes to tech though. I Buy the right tool for what I want to do. Currently, I'm running Macs, i-devices, Windows devices, Unix devices, Android devices and even have BEoS installed somewhere for fun. We live in such an advanced, sci-fi world right now, that religious adherance to a corporate tech company seems like an injustice to myself. There's so much out there, why would I limit myself to just one companies products and miss out on everything else wonderful in the industry

That's not true.
I'm on Android central, and I'm quite active there, because I'm an Android user (a Nexus and an Acer tablets, two Samsung Galaxy phones in my home).
I don't see all those Apple fanboys there. Yes, sometimes there is someone trolling a little bit. But nothing comparable to what is happening here.
And, to be honest, I don't even speak about my Apple or Windows product over there, because I have other places to do that.

 

[Trapezoid]

That's not true.
I'm on Android central, and I'm quite active there, because I'm an Android user (a Nexus and an Acer tablets, two Samsung Galaxy phones in my home).
I don't see all those Apple fanboys there. Yes, sometimes there is someone trolling a little bit. But nothing comparable to what is happening here.
And, to be honest, I don't even speak about my Apple or Windows product over there, because I have other places to do that.

Another good point. When I'm on the Android sites, I don't think I've ever mentioned my ipad or iOS and talked about how much better the ipad is than the Android tablets (and believe me it is). I'm there to talk about android and my g3, period.

It baffles my mind that people sign up solely to bash and never say one good thing about a company. Really a sad existence.

 

[Max(IT)]

Another good point. When I'm on the Android sites, I don't think I've ever mentioned my ipad or iOS and talked about how much better the ipad is than the Android tablets (and believe me it is). I'm there to talk about android and my g3, period.

It baffles my mind that people sign up solely to bash and never say one good thing about a company. Really a sad existence.

One week ago on a well known tech website, multi platform but quite Android focused, I was called "Windows fanboy" just because I criticize one Samsung product
Like you, I don't generally speak about Apple products on an Android forum.

 

[LordVic]

One week ago on a well known tech website, multi platform but quite Android focused, I was called "Windows fanboy" just because I criticize one Samsung product
Like you, I don't generally speak about Apple products on an Android forum.

but how dare you bring up windows on an android site! (sarcasm)

I just dont get how people feel the need to bash.

an old quote
"You don't make yourself taller by cutting off the heads of others"

people should be free to rationally discuss any thing that fits the topic, without fear of being labelled or bullied for it.

The problem with the mentality of "don't talk about others" is then the site you're on becomes an echo chamber. everyone parrots the same thing, even if untrue or unfactual. And Echo chambers are bad.

('m just debating here, not really trying to say we should be duscussing nothing but android and windows on this site)

 

[Trapezoid]

but how dare you bring up windows on an android site! (sarcasm)

I just dont get how people feel the need to bash.

an old quote
"You don't make yourself taller by cutting off the heads of others"

people should be free to rationally discuss any thing that fits the topic, without fear of being labelled or bullied for it.

The problem with the mentality of "don't talk about others" is then the site you're on becomes an echo chamber. everyone parrots the same thing, even if untrue or unfactual. And Echo chambers are bad.

('m just debating here, not really trying to say we should be duscussing nothing but android and windows on this site)

There's room for discussion of everything of course. It's the ones who are not here for productive discussion that make no sense. We can't name names but I'm sure everyone knows who they are.

Mostly this forum is full of great people but boy can those few ruin it for everyone

 

[Max(IT)]

but how dare you bring up windows on an android site! (sarcasm)

I just dont get how people feel the need to bash.

an old quote
"You don't make yourself taller by cutting off the heads of others"

people should be free to rationally discuss any thing that fits the topic, without fear of being labelled or bullied for it.

The problem with the mentality of "don't talk about others" is then the site you're on becomes an echo chamber. everyone parrots the same thing, even if untrue or unfactual. And Echo chambers are bad.

('m just debating here, not really trying to say we should be duscussing nothing but android and windows on this site)

I actually didn't
I just pointed out how Microsoft release operative system update for years even for low end models like the Lumia 520 while Samsung discharged several mid range models after a few months... And I was attacked for lese-majesty against His Highness Samsung

 

[garya73]

Received an email from Softcard today. They are shutting down all wallets on 3/31. They are encouraging people to sign up for Google Wallet.

 

[kdarling]

Lol, only here I can read something like "the resurgence of interest in the smart watch is not Apple's doing but that credit really belongs to Pebble". Pebble. Seriously.....

Checking Google seach history, to prove it was Pebble, turned up something totally unexpected.

Seems that although Pebble (and Sony) news headlines DID seem to cause a corresponding burst of interest in "iWatch" each time, Pebble wasn't what really got people searching for news about a "smartwatch".

Turns out it was when Samsung released the first Gear, that searches for "smartwatch" took off. Yes, surprised me too.

 

[Trapezoid]

Checking Google seach history, to prove it was Pebble, turned up something totally unexpected.

Seems that although Pebble (and Sony) news headlines DID seem to cause a corresponding burst of interest in "iWatch" each time, Pebble wasn't what really got people searching for news about a "smartwatch".

Turns out it was when Samsung released the first Gear, that searches for "smartwatch" took off. Yes, surprised me too.

View attachment 533195

Per your graph it appears the search popularity dropped quite considerably after the gear, unless I'm looking at it wrong? Can you post the chart for after apple announced the apple watch?

I think max(it) was referring to the laughable notion that some people in this thread are saying that the sudden resurgent interest in smart watches is not because of apples announcement of the watch.

Please post search history after the apple announcement or let me know what stat site you use to get this info and I'll check myself. Thanks!

ETA: Didn't realize it was just Google trends.

So here we have the search history after the apple watch announcement:

So we've got smartwatch searches going up after the Gear announcement, and then dropping off considerably.

Then the Apple watch gets announced, and the smartwatch searches resurge, more than when the Gear was announced and have gone up pretty much since then. Apple watch (since that is the name of the product and not iwatch) searches are through the roof, and continue to be. Incidentally, since people now know the name of the apple product, they're searching specifically for that name, no need to even look for "smartwatch" it seems, although the uptick in smartwatch searches can't be denied either.

Makes sense that no one was searching for iwatch when the gear was announced since the iwatch (Apple watch) didn't exist. So yeah, the resurgence of interest in smartwatches is definitely not because of the Pebble, and most definitely not the Gear.

Always a good idea to look at the whole story

 

[LordVic]

Deleted: I'm having a bad day

 

[Trapezoid]

that is disingeneous at best.

companies like Pebble would not liekly have created their device in the first place if there wasn't sufficient interest to do so. As evidence by the search statistics and their succesful funding campaign.

What you are talking about is not what you think it is. What you are demonstrating is that Apple have a greater mindshare in the consumer market and has the ability to influence trends.

nobody is arguing this. But it is clearly evidenced that smartwatch discussion did start long before the iwatch rumour. that rumour just brought it back to the forefront of peoples attention.

Which is precisely what max it said. He did not say smartwatch talk started with apple. If he did he'd be wrong. He said the resurgence of interest started with apple.

What's disingenuous is presenting the gear as the start of the smartwatch searches and then saying the apple watch wasn't the cause of the searches after they dropped considerably.

Kdarling was trying to prove a point that no one made.

 

[LordVic]

Which is precisely what max it said. He did not say smartwatch talk started with apple. If he did he'd be wrong. He said the resurgence of interest started with apple.

What's disingenuous is presenting the gear as the start of the smartwatch searches and then saying the apple watch wasn't the cause of the searches after they dropped considerably.

Kdarling was trying to prove a point that no one made.

I'm having a bad day reading >.<

thank you for the clarification

The way I see the gear was more of a reaction to the resurgance of discussion around the smartwatch technology. as I've always said, Tech doesn't exist in a bubble. There is usually some form of longer term trend. For smartwatches, you could thoeretically track it back to the old calculator / databank watches as the start of such trend, with many failed attempts to make connected watches along the way.

(will go back and fix my post)

 

[Trapezoid]

I'm having a bad day reading >.<

thank you for the clarification

The way I see the gear was more of a reaction to the resurgance of discussion around the smartwatch technology. as I've always said, Tech doesn't exist in a bubble. There is usually some form of longer term trend. For smartwatches, you could thoeretically track it back to the old calculator / databank watches as the start of such trend, with many failed attempts to make connected watches along the way.

(will go back and fix my post)

No problem, I've done it more times than I can count.

It would be foolish for anyone to suggest that apple started the smartwatch talk. They very clearly didn't, not even close.

But as the search history shows, people did get interested in the smartwatch after the gear. Then they stopped. (Adding for the literalists here, I don't really mean they completely stopped) Apple bought that interest back. That's all I believe max(it) was saying, although if he'd like to clarify that would be best. Who knows I may have misunderstood him myself.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

It seems the only reason Google is acquiring Softcard is tighten their relationship with the carriers. Not a bad move.

----------

First the acquisition of softcard, now the new wallet api called android pay. It's a wonder that people still insist that Apple doesn't make other companies actually try to support the products they rushed to market just to be first.

Suddenly the world is talking about nfc, and we've got people acting as if this is all just a huge coincidence. The denial is strong.

The world?? More like tech geeks like us. Most of the people I know who own Apple devices don't even know that Apple Pay exists let alone that it's based on NFC.

 

[Trapezoid]

It seems the only reason Google is acquiring Softcard is tighten their relationship with the carriers. Not a bad move.

Something they should have done from the beginning. They made no push to get wallet mainstream. With the popularity of Apple pay they're finally doing something!

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Something they should have done from the beginning. They made no push to get wallet mainstream. With the popularity of Apple pay they're finally doing something!

That's the beauty of competition isn't it? it makes you want to better yourselves!

 

[LordVic]

No problem, I've done it more times than I can count.

It would be foolish for anyone to suggest that apple started the smartwatch talk. They very clearly didn't, not even close.

But as the search history shows, people did get interested in the smartwatch after the gear. Then they stopped. Apple bought that interest back. That's all I believe max(it) was saying, although if he'd like to clarify that would be best. Who knows I may have misunderstood him myself.

yeah. Apple is one of those companies that has mindshare outside of the tech / geek world.

when Apple starts talking about something, it is very likely that interest in that will increase.

I'm not sure if there's really any way of arguing against this. no matter who people 'fanboy'.

Listen, I admit at times i seem a little antagonistic myself, and since this is "macrumurs" and often my commentary seems anti-apple, it's really not meant to be. I just get frustrated (and probably shouldn't) when people spew factually innacurate information. its a bit of a pet peave of mine and maybe i'm a little "OCD" about it.

But looking statistically, there is no way to say that Apple doesn't have mass influence on the minds of the consumer market. They have the capability through clever marketing, brand position, and recognition (even if you're not a fan, most people know apple) at influencing, and kicking off mass interest in trends.

And **** man, I love that. I LOVE that trends get mass consumer attention. I grew up being labelled a 'nerd', a 'geek'. Because I loved tech growing up. I never understood why more people didn't want this stuff. Why they didn't understand how it could benefit and help them. I didn't care who they supported, just as long as they were no longer bullying me.

Apple helped that. I was using MP3 players long before the iPod, and I was a geek for it. Everyone bought CD's. why would anyone want MP3! but the iPOD changes that. Apple showed it was 'cool' to listen to tiny mp3 music players. and I was no longer mocked for having this "geeky" technology.

and trust me, When i was in school through the 80's and 90's, geeks and nerds were bullied, and we were often seen as "lesser". the only reason I wasn't beaten up regularly is because I forced myself to get strong and appear at least to be able to hold my own

 

[Trapezoid]

yeah. Apple is one of those companies that has mindshare outside of the tech / geek world.

when Apple starts talking about something, it is very likely that interest in that will increase.

I'm not sure if there's really any way of arguing against this. no matter who people 'fanboy'.

Listen, I admit at times i seem a little antagonistic myself, and since this is "macrumurs" and often my commentary seems anti-apple, it's really not meant to be. I just get frustrated (and probably shouldn't) when people spew factually innacurate information. its a bit of a pet peave of mine and maybe i'm a little "OCD" about it.

But looking statistically, there is no way to say that Apple doesn't have mass influence on the minds of the consumer market. They have the capability through clever marketing, brand position, and recognition (even if you're not a fan, most people know apple) at influencing, and kicking off mass interest in trends.

And **** man, I love that. I LOVE that trends get mass consumer attention. I grew up being labelled a 'nerd', a 'geek'. Because I loved tech growing up. I never understood why more people didn't want this stuff. Why they didn't understand how it could benefit and help them. I didn't care who they supported, just as long as they were no longer bullying me.

Apple helped that. I was using MP3 players long before the iPod, and I was a geek for it. Everyone bought CD's. why would anyone want MP3! but the iPOD changes that. Apple showed it was 'cool' to listen to tiny mp3 music players. and I was no longer mocked for having this "geeky" technology.

and trust me, When i was in school through the 80's and 90's, geeks and nerds were bullied, and we were often seen as "lesser". the only reason I wasn't beaten up regularly is because I forced myself to get strong and appear at least to be able to hold my own

There are quite a few people here who I'd consider antagonistic, and I'm sure people consider me so, but you're honestly not one of them.

I just don't like when people ignore reality. It's silly.

Yes, the color gold existed but if you're trying to tell me that Samsung didn't release a gold s5 because apple did a gold iPhone, I won't take you seriously.

Yes the atrix has a fingerprint sensor, but I'll laugh at you if you say Samsung was inspired by Motorola and not apple.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it again. I cannot think of one thing off the top of my head that apple "invented" . Seriously. Not one.

But to downplay what they are and their contributions is just delusional at its best and bat****crazy at its worst. Be genuine, that's all I ask and I think you've always fit that bill.

----------

It seems the only reason Google is acquiring Softcard is tighten their relationship with the carriers. Not a bad move.

----------



The world?? More like tech geeks like us. Most of the people I know who own Apple devices don't even know that Apple Pay exists let alone that it's based on NFC.

It was hyperbole of course. But the idea of paying with your phone is much more mainstream now. Don't see how that can be denied.

----------

That's the beauty of competition isn't it? it makes you want to better yourselves!

Sure yes, cant disagree with that. Just makes you wonder why they'd come out with all these products/services first then just ignore them. Seems stupid on many levels.

 

[Max(IT)]

No problem, I've done it more times than I can count.

It would be foolish for anyone to suggest that apple started the smartwatch talk. They very clearly didn't, not even close.

But as the search history shows, people did get interested in the smartwatch after the gear. Then they stopped. (Adding for the literalists here, I don't really mean they completely stopped) Apple bought that interest back. That's all I believe max(it) was saying, although if he'd like to clarify that would be best. Who knows I may have misunderstood him myself.

You nailed the point.
As usual it's very rare for Apple to actually start something.
They enter the game when they think the market is mature for that, often by acquiring something already existent, or hiring experienced people.
And they do that in a way, both technical and marketing, that brings it to world's attention.
That's what I'm expecting will happen with the Apple watch.
I strongly suspect smartwatch market will change (and that's partially already started).

----------

It seems the only reason Google is acquiring Softcard is tighten their relationship with the carriers. Not a bad move.

----------



The world?? More like tech geeks like us. Most of the people I know who own Apple devices don't even know that Apple Pay exists let alone that it's based on NFC.

People don't know about NFC, maybe, but a lot of people outside forums like this know about Apple pay because Apple advertised that the right way (in USA).

----------

yeah. Apple is one of those companies that has mindshare outside of the tech / geek world.

when Apple starts talking about something, it is very likely that interest in that will increase.

I'm not sure if there's really any way of arguing against this. no matter who people 'fanboy'.

Listen, I admit at times i seem a little antagonistic myself, and since this is "macrumurs" and often my commentary seems anti-apple, it's really not meant to be. I just get frustrated (and probably shouldn't) when people spew factually innacurate information. its a bit of a pet peave of mine and maybe i'm a little "OCD" about it.

But looking statistically, there is no way to say that Apple doesn't have mass influence on the minds of the consumer market. They have the capability through clever marketing, brand position, and recognition (even if you're not a fan, most people know apple) at influencing, and kicking off mass interest in trends.

And **** man, I love that. I LOVE that trends get mass consumer attention. I grew up being labelled a 'nerd', a 'geek'. Because I loved tech growing up. I never understood why more people didn't want this stuff. Why they didn't understand how it could benefit and help them. I didn't care who they supported, just as long as they were no longer bullying me.

Apple helped that. I was using MP3 players long before the iPod, and I was a geek for it. Everyone bought CD's. why would anyone want MP3! but the iPOD changes that. Apple showed it was 'cool' to listen to tiny mp3 music players. and I was no longer mocked for having this "geeky" technology.

and trust me, When i was in school through the 80's and 90's, geeks and nerds were bullied, and we were often seen as "lesser". the only reason I wasn't beaten up regularly is because I forced myself to get strong and appear at least to be able to hold my own

Actually I think the "secret" of Apple's success is they are targeting casual users, not tech geeks.
A lot of complains on forums like this are from geeks for a reason: they would like to have "more things to do", higher tech specs and so on.
Well, someone is just a troll trying to bash Apple in every single post, but that's not your case

Ps: I'm a tech enthusiast like you, but being an athlete AND a tech geek, I've never been beaten up

----------

There are quite a few people here who I'd consider antagonistic, and I'm sure people consider me so, but you're honestly not one of them.

I just don't like when people ignore reality. It's silly.

Yes, the color gold existed but if you're trying to tell me that Samsung didn't release a gold s5 because apple did a gold iPhone, I won't take you seriously.

Yes the atrix has a fingerprint sensor, but I'll laugh at you if you say Samsung was inspired by Motorola and not apple.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it again. I cannot think of one thing off the top of my head that apple "invented" . Seriously. Not one.

But to downplay what they are and their contributions is just delusional at its best and bat****crazy at its worst. Be genuine, that's all I ask and I think you've always fit that bill.

----------



It was hyperbole of course. But the idea of paying with your phone is much more mainstream now. Don't see how that can be denied.

----------



Sure yes, cant disagree with that. Just makes you wonder why they'd come out with all these products/services first then just ignore them. Seems stupid on many levels.

I can't stop to upvote you, mate