BBVA has become the first bank to launch a commercial NFC payments service that makes use of Visa’s cloud-based payments specifications... More
Archive: Newswire
Samsung launches VIP program for NFC phone owners
Samsung is providing Galaxy NFC device owners with a range of exclusive rewards and incentives via a new service that offers access to VIP lounges and suites, seat upgrades and vouchers for concessions and merchandise at 41 AEG venues across the US... More
New York bars adopt mobile payments service that lets customers send drinks to friends
Twenty bars and restaurants in New York are using a new service that combines mobile payments with social networking, enabling customers to pay their tab, meet up and communicate with friends and send ‘Goodies’ like drinks and food to their contacts... More
Edinburgh trams use QR codes to validate mobile tickets before boarding
The city of Edinburgh’s new tram service is using QR codes placed at tram stops to validate passengers’ mobile tickets before they board... More
LevelUp offers restaurants real-time customer feedback
LevelUp has added in-app surveys to its mobile payments platform, enabling restaurant owners to collect feedback from customers and respond straight away to any complaints... More
Chromecast to use ultrasonic connectivity to pair mobiles and TVs
Google’s Chromecast media streamer, which enables users to send shows, movies, music and more to large screens, is to use a new ultrasonic connectivity technology to enable mobile devices to be paired with a Chromecast-equipped television, GigaOm reports... More
Android L speeds up NFC P2P sharing
New support for Android Beam, the name used for NFC peer-to-peer sharing in Android, is to be introduced with Android L, version 5.0 of Google’s operating system... More
Android L to offer wide range of new features for mobile payments and commerce
The next generation of Android, unveiled at the Google I/O developer conference, will offer mobile payments, banking and commerce providers a wide range of new functions... More
Google unveils cardboard VR headset with NFC
Developers attending Google’s I/O conference have been given a DIY virtual reality headset that includes an NFC tag for connecting the device to their mobile phone. More
Carrefour and Nisa track shoppers via Bluetooth beacons in trolleys and baskets
Supermarket giant Carrefour and convenience store group Nisa are piloting a new technology that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons attached to trolleys and baskets to track a shopper’s journey around the store... More
Mahana uses BLE to help hotels improve customer service
Hospitality technology startup Mahana has introduced a customer service platform that gives hotel and casino staff a way to improve customer service by accessing guest information on the go... More
McDonald’s tests mobile ordering and payments in the US
McDonald’s is testing a service that lets customers order their meal before they arrive at a restaurant and then collect it and pay by scanning a QR code... More
HID adds BLE to digital keys platform
ID card provider HID Global has begun beta testing a new version of its Seos mobile keys platform that adds Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support to its existing NFC functionality... More
Clover adds customer feedback loop to merchant receipts
An instant customer feedback platform developed by DropThought has been added to POS maker Clover’s app market, enabling customers to interact with merchants via their digital or printed receipt... More
BioCatch raises $10m to expand behavioural biometrics platform
BioCatch has raised US$10million to expand its behavioural biometric authentication platform... More
5.5bn people to use biometric security by 2019
There will be 5.5 billion users of mobile and wearable biometric technology around the world by 2019, according to a new report from Goode Intelligence... More
Washington Metro to test NFC payments in 2015
Washington Metro (WMATA) is preparing to pilot NFC payments, allowing passengers to pay for their journey with an NFC smartphone or a contactless bank or ID card... More
SimAlliance: HCE will grow the market for SIM-based NFC payments
Host Card Emulation (HCE) is likely to lead to higher demand for SIM-based NFC payments services and new opportunities for mobile network operators, SIMalliance — which initially warned against HCE for security reasons — has now decided... More
Brixton Pound uses BLE to let residents pay local businesses with their mobiles
Businesses across the London district of Brixton are to be equipped with Bluetooth beacons that will allow residents to make mobile payments using the Brixton Pound, a local currency designed to encourage consumers to spend their money in independent local businesses. More
Planet Sub picks LevelUp for mobile payments and rewards
US sandwich chain Planet Sub is now offering customers a mobile app that lets them make payments and earn rewards... More