UK payments technology specialist Consult Hyperion has unveiled a proof-of-concept solution that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and host card emulation (HCE) to enable both iPhone and Android NFC phone owners to make MasterCard, Visa and other open loop EMV payments at the point of sale... More
Android
Google Wallet adds support for gift cards and P2P payments
Google Wallet users can now store gift cards on their mobile phone and redeem them electronically in stores... More
Visa Inc abandons digital wallet ambitions, Visa Europe to continue investing
Visa Inc is replacing its V.me digital wallet service with Visa Checkout, a new payment service that enables consumers in the US, Canada and Australia to pay for goods online, on any device, in “just a few clicks”... More
Australian supermarket chain launches mobile wallet that works with NFC stickers
Australian supermarket chain Coles has launched the Coles Mobile Wallet, an iOS and Android app that works in conjunction with an NFC sticker to provide customers with a way to make mobile payments, manage their spending, collect loyalty points and access special offers... More
Australian credit union launches HCE payments
CUA, Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution, has become the first in the Asia Pacific region to launch an NFC payments service that makes use of host card emulation (HCE) technology... More
Android L offers one tap WiFi access
Android L will offer an easier way for users to share their WiFi passwords, Android Police reports... More
VivaLnk develops digital tattoos that unlock NFC phones
Moto X phone owners can now protect access to their mobile using a ‘digital tattoo’ developed by VivaLnk that can be positioned on the wrist and stays in place for five days... More
BBVA launches NFC payments based on Visa HCE specifications
BBVA has become the first bank to launch a commercial NFC payments service that makes use of Visa’s cloud-based payments specifications... More
HotelTonight to offer NFC keys
HotelTonight is to upgrade its Android app to enable customers to unlock their rooms via NFC, where a hotel supports the technology... 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
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
SimplyTapp offers DIY HCE
SimplyTapp, the US startup that worked with Google to add support for host card emulation (HCE) to Android, is now offering a self-service platform for card issuers and other mobile app developers looking to pilot HCE solutions... 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
Pajco lets US consumers pay by mobile at the pump
Pajco, owner of convenience store chains Rhodes 101 and Mercato di Rodi, is working with NCR to offer its customers the ability to pay for fuel by scanning a QR code on a fuel dispenser with their mobile phone... More
Denny’s tests mobile rewards
US family restaurant chain Denny’s is piloting a mobile rewards program that lets diners use an iOS or Android app to collect a point for every dollar they spend... More
Domino’s adds voice ordering
Domino’s Pizza has integrated Nuance’s Nina Mobile voice recognition technology into its iOS and Android apps, enabling US customers to place orders by simply speaking into their mobile phone... More
Verifone launches acoustic payments in Philadelphia
POS maker Verifone has expanded its Way2Ride mobile payments service to Philadelphia, allowing taxi users in the US city to pay for their journey using a sound-based proximity mobile communications technology... More
Chick-Fil-A tests mobile payments
Fast food chain Chick-fil-A has begun a mobile payments pilot in the Triad area of North Carolina... More