Sagem Wireless announced the commercial launch of COSY Phone, its new NFC-enabled mobile device. According to Sagem, the COSY Phone features NFC technology coupled with an easy-to-navigate user interface to create a connected device for markets underserved by traditional mobile phones, particularly seniors. The new phone uses pre-programmed tags that allow users to initiate calls […]

Australian airline Qantas has successfully introduced its a new contactless check-in system at the Sydney Airport. Already up and running in Perth, the system allows Qantas Club members and frequent flyers to check in using only their contactless ‘Q cards.’ After tapping the Q card at a reader at the terminal entrance, the traveler receives […]

Munich-based Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) has announced that shipments of its Convego Air contactless payment cards to the U.S. have now surpassed the 50 million unit mark. Since the introduction of its contactless payment cards in 2006, G&D has become the number one supplier of Visa and MasterCard branded contactless payment cards in the U.S., […]

Bling Nation announced that Brookshire Grocery Co., one of the largest regional grocery chains operating in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, will pilot Bling’s mobile payment platform in its Mt. Pleasant, Texas stores. With Bling Nation, Brookshire customers will be able to tap-and-pay for their purchases using mobile phones equipped with a contactless BlingTag. Users will […]

Merchant360 Inc. announced an agreement to support Bling Nation’s contactless mobile social media technology platform. According to Bling Nation, the company’s solution enables tap-and-connect capabilities at checkout, providing businesses with social media connectivity, viral loyalty programs with actionable analytics and mobile payments. The system works by tapping a mobile phone equipped with Bling Nation’s BlingTag […]

Southern California’s Kinecta Federal Credit Union today announced it will provide its members with MasterCard PayPass-enabled credit cards. Kinecta members can now simply tap their credit cards on specially equipped merchant terminals to pay for items, without needing to sign or enter a PIN if the total is less than $50. PayPass cards also include […]

Nokia’s Senior Vice President Jo Harlow has revealed that the company’s future Symbian smart phones will be equipped with NFC technology, according to bloomberg.com. Nokia’s C7 phone, now in stores, is already NFC-enabled, and can be used by customers for contactless payments and identification at the point of sale, says Harlow. Harlow added that Nokia […]

The Smart Card Alliance Payments Council has expanded its charter to include all chip-enabled payments and payment applications in the United States, including EMV, contactless payments, NFC-enabled payments and applications, mobile payments, and chip-enabled e-commerce. The Council has also announced its new officers and steering committee, including new co-chairs Simon Hurry from Visa and Oliver […]

Authasas has announced the release of its Advanced Authentication solution for integration into Novell’s SecureLogin software. The new integrated solution secures single sign-on credentials with several strong authentication methods, including fingerprint biometrics, contactless smart cards, and USB Flash drive token authenticators, thus eliminating the need for application passwords. “We have delivered the ability to completely […]

Portugal is introducing a smart card-based program that will enable drivers to recharge their electric vehicles at numerous public charging stations throughout the country, according to businessgreen.com. Charging network developer Mobi:E will pilot the project, which so far encompasses 1,380 standard charging stations and 50 express stations in 25 of Portugal’s 300 municipalities. Mobi:E spokesman […]