bitWallet, Inc. of the Rakuten Group (“bitWallet,” CEO: Yoshihisa Yamada, Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Japan) has developed a new Android(TM) Edy Application on “Edy,” a pre-paid e-money scheme operated by bitWallet, for smartphones equipped with the Android(TM) platform (“smartphones”) that are compatible with Osaifu-KeitaiR. Services commenced for this application as of today, January 31.
“Android(TM) Edy” is an application for smartphones that function with “Osaifu-Keitai®” and is offered to users free of charge. Users first download the application from either the Edy smartphone site or Android Market and then charge their account at convenience stores, using a credit card, or via other means. Users can then use Edy at over 255,000 affiliated convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores, and other establishments nationwide.
In addition to the conventional features that allowed users to view their amount balance history and usage history (up to six records), as a new feature, there is now a widget displayed on the smartphone’s home screen. With the new feature, every time the user’s account falls below 999 yen a notification is automatically displayed reminding them to charge their account. It is even possible to switch to the charge screen with a single touch of the screen. There have also been creative additions to the credit card charge function, such as allowing users to easily charge their accounts using buttons that correspond to common charge amounts (10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 3,000 yen, and 1,000 yen). This allows users to quickly check their balance before shopping, avoid missing shopping opportunities as a result of an inadequate balance, and enjoy their Edy shopping experience more comfortably than ever.
Moreover, there is also a feature that allows users to view the latest news about Edy and information about Edy campaigns from within the application itself. The application has also been coupled with twitter and Facebook, where on twitter, for example, users can share shopping information using individual usage histories with their friends and followers.
The exclusive “Osaifu-KeitaiR” points service (*1) has already commenced services for Rakuten Super Points and the ANA Mileage Club, and is set to launch point schemes with other point services as well in the future. Moreover, in commemoration of the start of services for this application, a limited time campaign, the “Edy Smartphone Campaign,” will be implemented, where users will receive Edy cards by making a charge.
There are also plans to provide an automatic charge feature that allows users to automatically charge their smartphones starting this spring. This feature will only be available for this application.
Going forward, bitWallet will continue to offer new services and features and work to improve its user interface with the aim of enhancing user satisfaction.
(*1) A point service for users of “Osaifu-Keitai®” only that allows users to earn various points and miles by using Edy.
URL： https://www.edy.jp/profit/edypoint/index.html
※ “Edy” is a prepaid e-money service brand managed by bitWallet, Inc.
※ “Osaifu-Keitai®” is the registered trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
※ 「Android(TM)」,「Android Market」 is the registered trademark of Google Inc.