Gamblers betting on sports games in Vegas casinos can now make their wagers via wireless handhelds, according to The Gainesville Sun. Under the new system, customers hand over their cash to casino employees, who convert the amount into electronic credits. Customers then have the option of placing bets at interactive touch screen kiosks, or renting […]

GlobalPlatform has announced that its first one-day card specification training session for 2010 will take place at the Tsinghua Science Park, Beijing on Jan. 29. The session will coincide with Sun Microsystem’s JavaCard China Telco Summit being held at the China World Hotel, Beijing, and will focus on the value that GlobalPlatform technology adds to […]

Sharjah, the third largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, will launch a contactless faring system for public buses next month, according to Gulf News. Sharjah Transport authorities are encouraging citizens who complain of not receiving exact change from bus drivers to embrace the new cashless system, which will feature contactless smart cards called Sayer […]

Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) is teaming up with HTC (High Tech Computer) to distribute NFC handsets for the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, which will take place in November, according to DigiTimes. Visitors can use the handsets, along with Bluetooth-enabled USB attachments, to access information on exhibits or collect discount coupons at featured attractions. Read […]

IMS Research is predicting that 1 billion smart cards will be shipped per year by 2014, according to Cellular-News. IMS revealed that between 2008 and 2014, the market for smart cards is expected to double, with smaller schemes employing microcontroller-based cards leading the way, such as driver licenses, health care, national ID and e-passports. Smart […]

The National Bank of Umm Al Quwain has deployed Cryptomathic’s data preparation system CardInk and OMA Emirates’ personalization software NanoPerso for the issuance of its debit and credit card portfolio. CardInk is both a hardware security module and card platform independent, enabling flexibility for any card issuing environment, supporting GlobalPlatform, Multos and native cards. CardInk […]

Calcutta transit authorities are scrambling to fix the city’s metro system after malfunctioning gates have lead to mass free rides, according to The Times of India. Unluckier commuters are stuck paying double for a single ride, and smart card holders can’t even use their cards. Cheap paper tickets are being issued as a quick fix, […]

Kelowna in British Columbia, Canada is planning to outfit its SkyTrains and city buses with TransLink’s smart card technology in 2013, according to kelowna.com. The Kelowna Transit Authority will issue a request for qualifications on the project this month, with a request for proposals to follow in spring 2010. The total cost of the project […]

iDTRONIC, supplier of RFID hardware products, introduced its new wristband and keyfob of the EVO series. The wristbands use either proximity or contactless smart card technology within sealed housings that are both practical and waterproof, and come in an assortment of colors. The keyfob, like the wristband, also encompasses RFID technology with the ability to […]

Recent research by Frost & Sullivan has revealed that NFC and contactless payment technology supported by the telecommunications, financial and payment industries will transform end-user payment habits, leading to increased to transaction volumes. According to Frost & Sullivan analyst Yiru Zhong, “As users’ payment habit trends become more entrenched, they will spill over to other […]