(This post originally appeared on Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 — Google Wallet is turning into Google Pay.
In January, Google announced it was bringing Android Pay and Google Wallet together under the new Google Pay brand. Now the new Google Pay–branded app is available through Google Play. Those who already have the Android Pay app installed won’t need to do anything; the app will show up as “Android Pay” on their phones. The transition is evidently still under way. (Source: Venture Beat)
Why this is important for your business:
Confused? You’re not alone. That’s why Google decided to consolidate all of its mobile payment services as Google Pay and yes it sounds familiar to another competing service. Mobile payment is still lagging behind projections and Google is trying to make Google Pay an easy, one-stop solution for you and your customers.
Facebook Messenger now lets users add more people to a voice or video call without hanging up first. Before this, those who wanted to turn a one-on-one call into a group call needed to end the call and then go through the process of starting another call. The new feature is available with the latest Android and iOS Messenger update. (Source: Tech Crunch)
Facebook continues to grow its Messenger product as a business tool and this little tweak should make it easier to conduct group calls with employees and customers.
3 — Mandatory data breach reporting comes to Australia.
This week small businesses in Australia are now required to report all instances of personal data breaches to affected stakeholders and government authorities. “By reinforcing accountability for personal information protection, the NDB scheme supports greater consumer and community trust in data management,” the government said. Fines for not complying could be as much as AUS $1.8 million (US $1.4 million). (Source: Smart Company)
Why this is important for your business:
Of course this is important if you’re an Australian business. But how much longer before a regulation like this comes to the U.S.?
4 — Computer shops embrace the lucrative business of outfitting cryptocurrency miners.
You need a lot of computers to mine cryptocurrencies like bitcoin – and the demand has created a boon for computer shops in Asia. They’re being flooded with customers looking for already-built machines or parts like motherboards, fans, power cords and other equipment needed to build the machines necessary to do the mining. (Source: US News)
All of a sudden PCs are in big demand. Who knew? Cryptocurrency mining seems like a great opportunity for those friendly neighborhood computer shops all around the world, not just in Asia. But if you want to take the plunge then please…get your payment in dollars!
5 – Google debuts AdSense ‘auto ads’ with machine learning to make placement and monetization choices.
This week, Google unveiled a new ad unit for AdSense as part of its effort to add more artificial intelligence into its business—to potentially attract more publishers who want to advertise but don’t have the time or other resources to do that. Google is debuting “Auto Ads—a new ad unit that uses machine learning to “read” a page to detect and place what kinds of ads might be appropriate to place there. Publishers activate Auto Ads with a single line of code on the page. (Source: Tech Crunch)
Why this is important for your business:
If you’re using AdWords then this is another interesting offering that may get your ads better placed on targeted sites…and generate more traffic to yours.
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