Dallas, Texas 12/17/2013 (FINANCIALSTRENDS) – Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) ever since its resurgence in the recent past as a go to online retailer and a provider of software and technology platforms on a pay per use basis has been making all the right moves to keep its competitors off balance even as it strives to differentiate itself as a leading light in leveraging technology to meet its customer’s needs.
Amazon.com, Inc. Strengthens Its Mobile Payment Platform
It is in this light that one needs to analyze yesterday’s reports in an Italian Newspaper of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) buying out the tech start up GoPago which has built up a steady platform for processing mobile payments securely and quickly.
If readers are wondering how this cutting edge platform fits into the $178 billion market capped retailers scheme of things, here is the skinny. This mobile app/ platform allows its users to place orders to merchants online using their existing web portals and more importantly also is uniquely equipped to enable secure online payments using their smart phones and tablets. This order placing and paying accomplished, the shoppers are free to drop in to the store at leisure and pick up their orders without having to face maddening crowds and winding queues. The closest competing product offering of GoPago that customers would be able to relate to is that of mobile valet Square. It is of interest to note that speculation is also rife that Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) deemed competitor Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) was also flashing its bulging cash pouch at this small Italian firm, before its competitor closed out the deal. If analysts are to be believed, this boughtout payment platform will equip the company to offer payment services to other internet based retailers and individual sellers through its yet to be launched “Log In and Pay” service.
Bigger Picture
Jeffrey P. Bezos, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer’s had ignited feverish debate among his rivals and backers alike with his “off the cuff” remarks in a TV interview right bang in the middle of the holiday season shopping about the companies intent to leverage auto piloted drones to deliver packages to its customer residences.
On the same lines Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been trying to position itself as a leader in robotics thanks to its buyout of close to eight different companies over the past year, which are niche players in the manufacture of humanoid robots and related technology.
As lay people, we can summarize from these concerted efforts by deep pocketed information technology players that the next frontier in wearable and intuitive technology which will offer itself as day to day useable devices and functions to regular users is going to be robotics.
Stock Market Performance
Over the past year, the stock of this S&P 500 index tracked stock has posted a healthy return of 56 percent. It has been range bound between $242.7 and $399 per share over the past 12 months and is currently trading at just 2.5 percent below its 52 week high price point. Market analysts have pegged their target price for this stock at $404 per share.