LG Electronics has announced the addition of two new Android-based Optimus Series smart phones, the LG Optimus Pro and the LG Optimus Net. According to LG, both phones will run on the latest NFC-enabled Android 2.3 platform, ‘Gingerbread.’ However, only some of the phones launched in Europe will be NFC capable for mobile payments, depending […]

Collis has announced the successful completion of the GlobalPlatform TestFest process for its new UICC (SIM) Compliance Test Suite. According to Collis, the company’s GlobalPlatform UICC Compliance Test Suite can now be used by test labs to determine whether a UICC smart card aligns with the GlobalPlatform Card Specification v2.2 UICC Configuration. Collis says that […]

American Express and Sprint have announced an agreement to provide Sprint customers with better access to Serve, American Express’ recently launched digital payments platform. Starting this summer, Serve’s mobile wallet application will be made available in the Sprint Zone, a pre-loaded app that keeps users up-to-date on new apps and provides tips on how to […]

The Mercator Advisory Group has released a new report analyzing the transition to open-loop payments systems among transit authorities. According to Mercator, millions of public transport fares are processed every day through propriety, closed-loop smart card ticketing systems in metropolises like Hong Kong, London and Seoul – accounting for some $100 billion in annual fare […]

U.S. Bank has announced the launch of its new contactless VITAband, a light-weight wristband that combines contactless payment technology with emergency contact and medical information. Equipped with MasterCard’s PayPass technology, the VITAband enables customers to make purchases by simply tapping their wrist against any point of sale that accepts contactless payments. The device also provides […]

Allied Irish Banks (AIB) has announced that it will begin providing customers with contactless Visa debit cards in the second half of 2012. Intended to replace the current Laser/Maestro cards, the new Visa cards will enable customers to make contactless payments of up to €15 by simply tapping their card against a reader. AIB says […]

Fremont Bank, one of the largest full-service community bank in Northern California, has announced that it will begin issuing contactless debit cards. According to Fremont Bank, the new debit cards will use STAR CertiFlash, a chip application developed by First Data’s STAR Network that uses one-time card number technology to advance security at the point […]

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) says it will introduce a mass-market NFC payments solution within the next three months, according to ZDNet Australia. An anonymous source at CBA told ZDNet that the bank plans to roll out special phone cases powered by a microSD card, which would contain the user’s banking information, along with […]

LEGIC has announced a new partnership with contactless credentials provider and systems integrator D&K Deutschland. LEGIC says the partners will combine their expertise in contactess ID technology to provide solutions for access control, time & attendance and visitor management systems. According to LEGIC, D&K Deutschland performs all steps involved in the integration of an electronic […]

Irish convenience store chain Centra says it will become the country’s first retailer to accept contactless payments, according to Businessandleadership.com. Expected to launch in select Centra stores later this year, the technology will allow customers to pay for items costing €15 or under with a tap of a Visa payWave-enabled debit card. Centra says they […]