BBC - "Money sending mobile app launched" - Anyone thinking what I'm thinking?

[norulezapply]

The article - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17057570

Does anyone else read this article and get somewhat frustrated about them not mentioning Bitcoin?
I can understand why, but Bitcoin is perfect for this kind of thing. Or is it just me?

[garyrowe]

It's not just you. The BBC have run several articles (frequently positive) about Bitcoin (particularly when the exchange rate went through the roof) but, as always, the moment it ceases to have a wow factor it fizzles out. They are probably not introducing it because it would defocus the article.

Reading the comments, most folks seem to be treating the announcement with "Meh" which is typical. The service itself is very limited and given the severe regulatory environment that banks operate under is unlikely to grow into something international which is where Bitcoin wins. It does serve a useful purpose, though, which is to soften up the mainstream to the idea of digital cash which is definitely welcome news.

[schnell]

Yeah, I saw this on the itv news just as I was reading this. It fustrates me how the presenter is saying the app people 'caused a revolution' when they only copied bitcoin.

[garyrowe]

Remember that "they caused a revolution" is just news rhetoric to attract attention. They haven't copied Bitcoin - they've just provided a mobile client to their standard account payment systems in a very limited form. An evolutionary development at best, certainly not revolutionary.

[schnell]

Remember that "they caused a revolution" is just news rhetoric to attract attention. They haven't copied Bitcoin - they've just provided a mobile client to their standard account payment systems in a very limited form. An evolutionary development at best, certainly not revolutionary.

Yes, I agree with what you said, but this is giving the public the wrong idea.
Essentially they did nothing, but for somereason they are all over the news.

[garyrowe]

Essentially they did nothing, but for somereason they are all over the news.

Welcome to the media of today!

:-)

Bank noisily does something mildly interesting - NEWS!
Bunch of people quietly change the world - tumbleweed

Of course, it could just be a slow news day...

[kjlimo]

I read through about 30 of 50 comments so far.  (will continue on my bus ride home)

Why has no one registered with this website to post a comment regarding why bitcoin will be better.

Also has anyone looked at the fee structure for this yet?

M-pesa (the mobile payment system in Kenya) has been accepted by almost 15 million users, but the fees can be 1% ish.

This is where bitcoin can shine! 

However, I think bitcoin needs a smart phone, which people may not have.

I do recall seeing development projects for SMS text message bitcoin transactions, but I haven't been following that for a while.

[garyrowe]

There is a small mention of Bitcoin in there: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17057570?postId=111741470#comment_111741470