Google Glass and iBeacon To Be Tested At Westpac New Zealand
Falling in line with Google’s latest technology, Westpac New Zealand is set to test Google Glass, as well as Apple’s iBeacon, in their Cash Tank branches this month, making them first bank to use the innovative Google Glass technology. The Google Glass app allows a customer to check his or her balance of a preselected amount with just a touch of their finger. Once the initial setup is complete, there is no need to sign in every time.
The Google Glass app is currently included on Androids, iPhones, and Sony’s Smartwatch. Westpac expects the Google Glass app to be fully functional sometime later this year. According to Business Spectator’s technology department, Westpac NZ’s chief digital officer Simon Pomeroy states that the bank expects to make its services available on all technology platforms, aside from Google Glass, and that other services, including account transfers, alerts, and information of local branches are also in the works.
Since its creation in late 2012, Google Glass has taken the technological world by storm. In a related report, Google Glass was in the hot seat due to issues surrounding privacy, battery life, overload of technology and so forth, but Westpac put that all aside and is testing this Google Glass app with high expectations.
The benefits of the Google Glass app are such that you can walk into any store and, by wearing the Google Glasses, determine exactly how much is in your account by looking in your peripheral vision. Pomeroy also explained that with Apple’s iBeacon, customers are allowed to receive information and incentives on a device, such as with Google Glass, when passing a location using the technology. In turn, Westpac can “add another dimension to customer service.” iBeacon also allows customers to receive special offers on their device if such a store uses the technology, as well as alerts a customer when their order has arrived.
Further Google Glass technologies are being created using Bluetooth, which is already under way in three Australian branches, and is expected to include going beyond retail, such as theme parks, concert venues and stadiums, as well as restaurants and car companies. “We look forward to seeing how these Google Glass trials go in both Australia and New Zealand as we continually look for new ways to bring these technologies to life for customers,” stated Harry Wendt, general manager of digital at Westpac.
The Google Glass app will be trialed in Australia’s St. George Moneymeter, as well, making both New Zealand and Australia the first countries to experiment with the Google Glass technology.
