CPI Card Group is partnering with NatureWorks LLC to produce specialty cards (gift, phone, key, credit and retail cards) made from NatureWorks biopolymer. This will provide a responsible alternative to traditional plastics, and can often replace PVC for these applications according to CPI. The technology to produce NatureWorks biopolymer allows abundant, annually renewable resources from […]

NCR Corporation in partnership with ViVOtech has introduced a suite of contactless payment terminals that boast of enabling mobile and contactless payments at a variety of customer touch points, including retail checkout, restaurant drive-thru and even at the dinner table. “NCR’s unparalleled experience in payment transactions, combined with ViVOtech’s expertise in contactless technology, provides retailers […]

Mobile contactless solutions based on near field communication (NFC) technology are still in their infancy, but this constitutes a promising area of development for numerous new services based on proximity interactions between the end user and their physical environment, according to a new Research and Markets report. Operator demand for NFC phones is the main […]

Bluetooth SIG’s announcement of adopting the new spec for Bluetooth, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, made it a top Gear Live’s most popular episodes for 2007. In this episode, Mike Foley gives a first look at what is improved in the new spec, and shows off near field communication technology that is integrated into the new Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. […]

Oberthur Card Systems predicts the smart card will become a mainstay of American wallets in 2008. Oberthur claims to be the largest producer of contactless cards in the U.S. and currently 17 of its top 20 customers, as well as the federal government, have embraced microprocessor chip cards. The company feels that this will put […]

SmartMetric announced that it has successfully incorporated doorway wireless frequencies into its credit card sized portable biometric fingerprint reader card. Using the SmartMetric Biometric card with its built in fingerprint scanner, corporations can now secure entry to doorways, offices and even computer systems with the all in one biometric card. It also allows companies to […]

CCID Consulting, a research, consulting, and IT provider in China, recently released its analysis on China’s semiconductor industry. The report evaluates the 2007 sales figures for China’s IC market, the RFID market, mobile device market, as well as many other technologies using semiconductors. The report also has predictions for how well each area will do […]

The enterprise mobility business of Motorola, Inc. released the PD8750 series of PCI PED-approved interactive payment terminals with fully integrated debit, credit, smart card and contactless payment capabilities. The new terminal allows accurate transaction processing, regardless of which way the card is swiped and also supports both finger and stylus pen touch. In addition, Motorola […]

Sprint and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) with partners Jack in the Box, First Data, and Western Union Speedpay have launched an NFC payment scheme allowing users to pay their fares using their phone. The trial will be conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area from January 2008 to May 2008. More information can be […]

Solicore’s paper-thin Flexion batteries are powering MaatCard by UNIPAY’S, which received the OSCARDS award for “Best International Technology.” MaatCard is based on a unique acoustic technology developed by nCryptone and is said to be the first worldwide acoustic contactless bankcard. OSCARDS “Best International Technology” Winner, MaatCard, Powered by Solicore First Worldwide Acoustic Contactless Bankcard Honored […]