16% OF BRITS POISED TO BUY NEW AMAZON FIRE PHONE AS SOON AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN, RESEARCH SHOWS

• Encouraging consumer demand for Amazon’s Fire Phone as developers look to incorporate functionality into apps
• Amazon Fire Phone set to revolutionise mobile banking by giving users ability to tilt to transfer money, nod to confirm payments and replace passwords with facial recognition
• 24 per cent believe extra functionalities of a banking app with 3D capabilities would encourage them to use mobile banking on a smartphone more regularly

16 per cent of Brits say they will buy the new Amazon Fire Phone as soon as they possibly can, new research conducted by digital banking software provider Intelligent Environments shows¹. The device is set to boost the number of people using mobile banking, as nearly a quarter (24 per cent) believe a 3D mobile banking app that incorporates the device’s new functionalities will encourage them to access their accounts using a smartphone.

Respondents listed a range of ways they would like to use the new smartphone for digital banking:

• Almost half (48 per cent) would like to use facial recognition as a security feature
• 22 per cent want to confirm transfers via a body movement
• 26 per cent are interested in having 3D video calls with their bank, using their new smartphone

Simon Cadbury, head of strategy and innovation at Intelligent Environments, comments: “Just a couple of months ahead of the launch of the iPhone 6, could Amazon have pulled the rug out from under Apple and completely changed the game? The consumer appetite for 3D smartphones is clearly very strong, and these findings show that banks need to start incorporating the functionality of Amazon’s new smartphone in their mobile banking apps.

“Amazon’s Dynamic Perspective 3D screen isn’t the only exciting feature for digital banking customers. As the device uses four cameras to monitor the position of and project to both of the user’s eyes, new security measures like facial recognition are entirely possible, functionality that our research shows will be extremely popular with digital banking customers.

“The device takes yet another step forward for user experience, as physical movements will be a big part of how they interact with the device. Our research shows people are very interested in features like nodding to confirm bank transfers, or tilting the device to switch between bank accounts. Of course, this increased usability will need to be balanced with an additional layer of security to ensure accidents don’t happen. It’s clear these are just the first steps in a 3D mobile banking revolution. We’re now looking at ways to incorporate this functionality into future digital banking apps.”