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RTINNOVATIONS
SECOND LIFE EXPANDS RABOBANK INTRODUCES
E-COMMERCE SYSTEMS SMS PAYMENTS
Linden Lab, creator of the virtual world Second Life recently Service2Media has developed a new mobile client application
announced a key milestone in its expansion of the platform: that makes Rabo SMS banking easy and visual.
acquiring two web-based marketplaces for virtual goods, Xstreet From now on all citizens of the Netherlands can pay with
SL and OnRez. SMS, independent of their bank or mobile operator. To transfer
These acquisitions join several other recent strategic initiatives, money, users need to send an SMS to the Rabobank with the
including enhancements to the experience for new users, which phone number of the recipient and the amount. The bank then
will enable Linden Lab to reach a broader global audience for sends a code that the user needs to con� rm. The recipient
Second Life in 2009. receives the money in his or her ‘mobile wallet’.
Linden Lab is consolidating the two marketplaces on the Xstreet Service2Media developed the mobile client application for
SL platform, offering one online shopping experience for customers Rabo Mobiel to make use of the system easier. Users do not
and merchants. This will make it easier for Second Life Residents to need to remember the SMS syntax; they just navigate, select
� nd virtual goods to purchase and will provide merchants broader and type information in clearly de� ned � elds. The application
channels to sell their products. The global market for virtual goods uses the address book on the phone and can be downloaded
is estimated to be approximately $1.5 billion (£1.06 billion) a year, after registration with the service and is supported on more
and Second Life plays a signi� cant role in this market. In 2008, than 130 mobile devices. And an overview of past transactions
Residents of Second Life purchased and sold more than $360 and balance is now always at hand, even as a graphical
million (£257 million) of virtual goods and services. representation.
www.lindenlab.com www.service2media.com
VIRTUAL SALESPERSON ARRIVES IN-STORE
Enterprising Dutch agency Boost Products Raymond Lentz, Boost Products human shape by the distributor. The
and diversi� ed technology company 3M managing director said: “The impact of screen was then placed on the shop � oor
have introduced a new concept in in- the 2D character displays is enormous next to a sales display and the projector
store marketing at a supermarket in The and offers a state-of-the-art concept with was installed on the ceiling. The projector
Netherlands. which a retail advertiser and marketer connects up to the Boost narrowcasting
By using a Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen can make a real difference. Boost is now system, which controls play out of the
from 3M cut in the shape of a human developing concepts that can be used in video from a remote location. Once the
body and projecting 2D characters on the entertainment industry.” video is playing the virtual salesperson
to its surface, Boost has created a virtual A video of the shop assistant promoting comes alive under the bright lights of the
shop assistant capable of communicating a speci� c brand was produced by Boost supermarket.
promotions to passing shoppers. and the screen was laser cut to the www.3M.co.uk/vikuiti
RETAIL TECHNOLOGY MARCH 2009
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