Wednesday, December 14, 2011

There are now 35 Million NFC handsets in the world


SiliconRepublic.com The year 2011 was a breakthrough year for NFC (near field communications), not only due to the launch of Google Wallet and other new services coming on stream, but the arrival of 35m NFC-compatible handsets, due to grow to 80m in 2012.
There are now 35 Million NFC Headsets
image from SiliconRepublic.com
According to a new report by IMS Research, the number of NFC-enabled phones shipped in 2011 totalled 35m globally. IMS forecasts that significant market events and the enablement of other cellular handsets will drive that number to nearly 80m by the end of 2012.
“After seven or so years of false dawns and frequent disappointment, 2011 has proved to be something of a breakthrough year," said Don Tait, senior analyst at IMS Research.

Intel Chooses INSIDE Secure to Provide NFC Technology and Products


INSIDE Secure to Provide NFC Technology and Products to Intel

Technology Transfer and Services Agreements Will Help Accelerate NFC into the Mainstream
Image from NFC Rumors
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France--()--INSIDE Secure, a leader in semiconductor solutions for secure transactions and digital identity, today announced it has entered into an agreement with Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) to provide the company with INSIDE’s NFC products and technologies. The agreement marks a significant milestone for INSIDE Secure and the future of the NFC industry, helping move this emerging technology towards full-scale market adoption.
“Working with an industry leader like Intel will play a significant role in the mainstream rollout of NFC.”
The agreement gives Intel access to INSIDE’s software, firmware and core hardware technology for development of future Intel products. In addition, INSIDE will provide Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group with access to scalable NFC solutions based on INSIDE’s MicroRead®, SecuRead® and Open NFC™ products.
“We are very excited to have this opportunity to work alongside Intel in the development of scalable NFC solutions for the industry,” said Charles Walton, chief operating officer for INSIDE Secure. “Working with an industry leader like Intel will play a significant role in the mainstream rollout of NFC.”
“NFC is gaining traction in many markets as one of the most convenient ways to use consumer electronic devices for payments and retail commerce transactions, for access to facilities and information, and a host of other applications,” said Aicha Evans, vice-president and general manager of Intel's Mobile Wireless Group. “We look forward to working with INSIDE to develop and bring to market a range of exciting connectivity solutions for mainstream consumer products that incorporate NFC features.”
A third-generation product that sets a new standard for ease of integration, the MicroRead NFC controller offers a broad range of NFC options and provides the capacity to support multiple secure element types, including SIM, SE or SD card, to support multiple business models. SecuRead integrates INSIDE’s award-winning MicroRead NFC controller with a high-performance secure element and a GlobalPlatform-compliant Java Card™ operating system. Both products are integrated with INSIDE’s Open NFC protocol stack to provide best-of-breed solutions. Winner of the prestigious SESAMES Innovation Award, Open NFC has quickly become recognized as an open solution for NFC enablement on mobile devices, and has received significant industry support from a broad array of participants in the NFC ecosystem.
About INSIDE Secure
INSIDE Secure is a leading designer, developer and supplier of semiconductors, embedded software and platforms for secure transactions and digital security. INSIDE mobile NFC, secure payment, and digital security products provide security for a wide range of information processing, storage and transmission applications. The company’s customers are found in a wide range of markets including mobile payment, identification documents, access control, transit, electronic device manufacturing, pay television and mobile service operators. For more information visit http://www.insidesecure.com.

What’s NOT Going to Happen in 2012, According to ABI Research


NEW YORK--()--As 2011 comes to a close, ABI Research is back again for its seventh consecutive edition of “What’s NOT Going to Happen.” Instead of trying to predict what will unfold in the next 12 months, ABI Research’s analysts are traveling off the beaten path to provide their best insight on all of the progress we will not be making this coming year.

“What’s NOT Going to Happen in 2012”
2011 proved to be a turbulent year for the global economy. Although the economic downturn is reported to be officially over, the global economy still sits on shaky and uncertain ground.
With this in mind, predicting exactly what 2012 will bring seems difficult. ABI Research’s analysts, however, are a little more sure about what exactly we won’t be seeing from the technology sector in 2012. From mobile devices and apps, gaming and 3D, LTE and WiMAX, the connected car and hybrids, and much more, our analysts will take a stab at some of the questions on our minds as we head into 2012:
Will anyone stop Apple from bullying operators?
Will RIM pull its ailing tablet business from the market?
Will 2012 be the year of the smart city?
Will LTE finally take the lead in 2012?
What’s the prognosis for NFC?
How will the home automation market shake out?
ABI Research’s “What’s NOT Going to Happen in 2012” provides an informative, decisive, and occasionally humorous read on our analysts’ expert opinions for 2012.
To download the white paper in Adobe PDF format, please go to What’s NOT Going to Happen in 2012” (http://www.abiresearch.com/news/whitepaperDL.jsp?id=61) and click on the “Download Here” link.
Journalists wishing to discuss any of the topics it contains with our analysts: please contact Christine Gallen at 516-624-2542 or via the form on our website (http://www.abiresearch.com/journalistrequest.jsp).
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

ROAM Data Releases G3X...Mobile Card Reader with 3 Times the Coverage of Square


ROAM Data Launches Newest Secure Mobile Card Reader with Three Times More Device Coverage Than All Competitors Combined

ROAM’S G3X Secure Mobile Reader Boasts Unmatched Device Compatibility and Reliability, to help Merchant Service Providers deliver powerful mobile POS solutions with the Lowest Cost of Ownership
BOSTON--()--ROAM Data, the company behind most of the encrypted mobile card readers shipped in the past year, and the leading mCommerce platform-as-a-service provider, announced today that it has launched its latest secure mobile card reader,the G3X. The G3X is ROAM’s third generation mobile reader and their best to date, it supports hundreds of devices, from iOS, Android and Blackberry, to PCs and Macs, covering three times more devices than all other competing readers combined. This enables Merchant Service Providers to compete with the best technology for a whole new segment of mobile merchants and small merchants previously untapped, a market that companies like Square are aggressively pursuing.
“We are technology geeks that really know about mobile and payments and how that intersection can deliver new value to merchants and consumers. Our goal is to build the most advanced, cost effective, and secure solutions for our customers to win market share today and stay ahead tomorrow.”
“We are committed to providing our partners with industry leading mobile commerce solutions, the new G3X is the latest product in our pipeline of products to come, which includes NFC and EMV readers for 2012, and a suite of mobile commerce solutions from mobile checkout, to mobile offers to mobile wallet,” said Will Graylin, CEO and Founder of ROAM Data. “We are technology geeks that really know about mobile and payments and how that intersection can deliver new value to merchants and consumers. Our goal is to build the most advanced, cost effective, and secure solutions for our customers to win market share today and stay ahead tomorrow.”

ROAM Data’s mobile card readers have been chosen by more Merchant Service Providers than any other based on its quality, security and compatibility resulting in the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The G3X represents even lower TCO because its increased device compatibility means more signups with the same marketing spend, lower customer service cost, and lower reader cost based on ROAM’s high production volume. ROAM has sold the highest number of encrypted mobile readers in the world in 2011 with more than 400,000 units to its growing list of customers including companies like Intuit, North American Bankcard, Sage Payments, NPC, Total Merchant Services, First Data, Chase Paymentech, Global Payments and others. ROAM’s clear leadership position in the market has just gotten stronger with the launch of the G3X.
About ROAM Data
ROAM Data is the leading mCommerce Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) provider extending both physical Point of Sales (POS) and eCommerce solutions to the mobile environment, to help merchants win customer spend and loyalty. ROAM’s platform includes software, hardware, & services, from payment applications to peripherals, and from end-to-end security and payment gateway, to boarding and support services, as well as development tools that enable both turnkey or custom mobile commerce solutions for our Merchant Service Provider partners. Our partners can white-label our full solution in weeks, or brand components such as our readers to use a-la-carte to fit their existing applications.
Examples of ROAM applications include ROAMpay, that turns merchants’ mobile devices into secure POS terminals to accept payment anywhere; ROAMcheckout for fast & secure mobile app and ad purchases; ROAMoffers and ROAMwallet, that enables merchants to deliver compelling and actionable offers to their consumers. ROAM also provides a set of tools (APIs, SDK, IDE) for developers to build their own mobile POS or eCommerce apps on ROAM’s platform.
Visit us: www.roamdata.com.
Check out the G3X for yourself: http://www.roamdata.com/roampay/us

Four Times More Consumers Consider Mobile Payments Safer Than Credit Cards


Javelin Strategy & Research Consumer survey, commissioned by PaymentOne, also reveals more than $100 billion in annual lost revenue for online merchants who don’t offer payment alternatives
SAN JOSE, Calif.--()--It’s hard to put a price tag on security and privacy, but a recent study of consumers’ online and mobile purchasing attitudes conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research and PaymentOne (www.paymentone.com) found 4 out of 5 consumers would spend more online if offered an easier and more secure way to pay. The survey also found that by a margin of almost 4 to 1, consumers believe direct carrier-billed mobile payments are more secure than using credit and debit cards for online digital purchases.
“Consumers’ concerns around the security and privacy of online payment transactions are staring digital merchants in the face and demanding attention”
How much more would consumers spend if they didn’t have to share their sensitive personal data or type in a long credit card number to complete their purchase? The Javelin survey finds that online merchants could add aggregated yearly revenue of $109.8 billion, simply by offering an alternative “no-credit-card-required” way to pay at checkout.
Conducted this fall, the 2011 Consumer Payment Poll revealed that consumers have dramatic and growing concerns about the safety and privacy of using credit or debit cards for online transactions. More than half of consumers surveyed admitted to abandoning online purchases at check-out because of these concerns, confirming a huge loss in potential revenue for online merchants.
Majority of consumers would buy more if online payments were safer
4 out of 5 consumers polled would spend more online if given an easier and more secure payment alternative to credit or debit cards. This indication of pent-up demand and lost opportunity for commerce was consistently high across a wide range of segments such as age, ethnicity, income, geography, early/late adopters of technology and gender, with certain demographics, including higher income, younger and minority segments displaying an even higher demand for easier and safer payment alternatives. Nearly 6 in 10 consumers are more likely to visit and buy from sites that offer “no-credit-card-required” payment options. Survey results further indicated that digital merchants could realize incremental average monthly revenue of $89 per consumer simply by increasing the available payment choices.
"According to the 2011 Online Payment Poll, consumers are concerned about the use of credit cards online and related issues of privacy, fraud, security and convenience," said Phil Blank, Managing Director at Javelin Strategy & Research. "If digital merchants simply offered consumers an alternative way to pay, such as mobile carrier-based payments, 79 percent of decisive consumers indicated they would spend more, driving significant new incremental revenue from subscriptions, transactions and purchases. With an estimated $110 billion in new revenue for digital merchants being left on the table each year in the U.S. alone, this 'commerce gap' represents a massive untapped opportunity."
Consumers are afraid to use their credit cards online
Survey respondents voiced extreme concerns around using credit cards to shop online, especially for smaller digital purchases. Privacy and security topped shoppers’ concerns listed below:
  • I’m concerned a merchant or website will start sending me junk mail (55 percent)
  • I’m concerned my personal information will be sold to other merchants (54 percent)
  • I’m concerned my credit card information will be intercepted (51 percent)
  • I’m concerned unauthorized parties will access my personal information stored by merchant (51 percent)
  • I’m concerned my credit card information will be misused by merchants (41 percent)
  • I don't like the idea of providing private or personal financial information (38 percent)
  • I worry that my personal financial information could be intercepted over the air when I enter it using my phone (32 percent)
Shoppers’ security and privacy concerns were universal across all age groups and income ranges, indicating that the vast majority of online consumers, regardless of their socio-demographic status, would be inclined to purchase more online if their security and privacy concerns were addressed with "no-credit-card-required" safer and more secure billing options.
"Consumers’ concerns around the security and privacy of online payment transactions are staring digital merchants in the face and demanding attention,” said Brad Singer, executive vice president, PaymentOne. “In today’s economy where every cent counts and every customer is vital to the success of a business, merchants clearly need to do more to ensure customers aren’t scared away when it comes time to check out. The implementation of new consumer-friendly alternative payment options may well be the single most important step merchants and publishers can take to grow their customer bases and their revenues.”
Carrier-billed mobile transactions top alternative payment options
300 percent more survey respondents perceived carrier-billed mobile transactions, where financial information is never shared or loaded onto the phone, to be safer than "mobile payments" requiring consumers to input credit or debit card info. Consumers identified the wireless bill as the preferred method (58 percent), followed by the landline/broadband bill (22 percent) as the safest and most secure alternatives for digital purchases. The survey found strong interest for safer payment methods across all socio-economic strata, but the interest is greatest within households earning greater than $75,000 per year.
Mobile payments are the future
95 percent of survey respondents have mobile phones, yet just 36 percent have already used them to make a payment. The 2011 Online Payment Poll finds strong interest for using a mobile phone for payments beyond subscriptions, service bills and mobile apps. Among consumers who have used their mobile devices to make payments, nearly one in four have purchased digital entertainment; one in three purchased entertainment tickets; and approximately one in four purchased travel and apparel. Merchants deploying additional payment options, including mobile payment options that enjoy strong consumer interest, can reach and convert more potential consumers and capture millions of dollars in additional revenue.
About this survey
Commissioned by PaymentOne, the poll results were published by Javelin Strategy & Research in December 2011. Conducted in September 2011, the poll surveyed over 2,000 U.S. consumers regarding their online payment preferences for digital content and services. Games, mobile apps, music, streaming media and entertainment, software, security services (e.g., antivirus and anti-spam), subscriptions, Internet services (e.g., Wi-Fi), console games, and related premium services were among the top categories consumers were interested in purchasing.
For a complete copy of the 2011 Online Payment Poll, please visit http://www.paymentone/2011onlinepaymentpoll.
About PaymentOne
PaymentOne Corporation is the global leader in mobile payments and carrier billing, making it easy and convenient for consumers to charge digital purchases from any connected device to their mobile, broadband or home phone bills. Digital merchants, publishers and content providers have leveraged PaymentOne’s Carrier Network of 1200 telecom operators in 70 countries – reaching over 3.5 billion consumers – to generate more than $5 billion in new incremental revenue. PaymentOne’s ability to deliver the highest monetization for its merchants and its first rate customer service have earned the company the lowest client churn rate in the business. Profitable and privately held, PaymentOne is based in the Silicon Valley. For more information visit www.PaymentOne.com.

First Data Releases SpendTrend Closed-Loop Prepaid Cards November Analysis


Largest Increase in Activation Dollar Volume and Transaction Growth in Four Months
ATLANTA--()--First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today released its First Data SpendTrend® Closed-Loop Prepaid Cards analysis for the month of November. The analysis tracks U.S. same-merchant activations and redemptions of merchant-branded prepaid cards including spending, gift, incentive and promotional cards.
“Indications are pointing to consumers using gift cards more this holiday season and it will be interesting to see if activation dollar volume continues to increase through the year’s end”
Activation transaction growth led the way in November with year-over-year activation transaction growth at 12.3%. Specialty Retailers saw activation transaction growth of 19.4% growth in November. Casual Dining and Quick Service Restaurants also posted double-digit growth increases in November.
Consumers seem poised to increase their gift card utilization this holiday season. Activation dollar volume rebounded in November with an overall growth of 16.7%, reversing a three-month slowdown of growth. Many industries posted sequential activation dollar volume growth improvement. Specialty Retail posted a healthy increase over last year of 17.9%, following a three-month trend of negative growth.
Redemption dollar volume and transaction growth both reached yearly highs in November, a favorable indication for gift card sales this holiday season. Overall redemption dollar volume growth was 24.8% in November. This marked the fifth consecutive month that overall redemption dollar volume growth exceeded 20%. Overall redemption transaction growth was up 23.5%, the largest increase over the past year.
“Indications are pointing to consumers using gift cards more this holiday season and it will be interesting to see if activation dollar volume continues to increase through the year’s end,” said Silvio Tavares, SVP and division manager of First Data Global Information and Analytics Solutions, which publishes SpendTrend. “The strong growth of redemption dollar volume and transactions signals to us that more consumers are recognizing the value of gift cards in their wallets and remembering to use them at the point of sale.”
The SpendTrend Closed-Loop Prepaid Card analysis is part of First Data’s suite of SpendTrend analytics services. For more information on First Data SpendTrend, visit www.firstdata.com/infoanalytics or call SpendTrend Customer Care at 800-430-0169.
To participate in the SpendTrend conversation, please follow First Data at http://twitter.com/FirstData and join us athttp://on.fb.me/spendtrend.
Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.
First Data SpendTrend, a macro-economic indicator, is based on aggregate same-store sales activity in the First Data Point of Sale Network. First Data SpendTrend does not represent First Data’s financial performance.

Consumers Union Calls on Wireless Carriers to Strengthen Mobile Payment Protections for Consumers


SAN FRANCISCODec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Most cell phone and tablet users can purchase digital goods and charge them to their monthly bill or prepaid phone account.  But they may not get the protections they need to limit their financial liability if something goes wrong with the transaction.  The protections consumers receive will vary depending on their wireless carrier's policies and what's in their cell phone contract, according to a new analysis by Consumers Union.  
"Consumers using mobile payments should get the same strong protections they currently enjoy when they make purchases with a credit card or debit card," said Michelle Jun, senior attorney for Consumers Union, the nonprofit advocacy arm of Consumer Reports.  "But we found that consumer rights can vary widely between wireless carriers and the protections carriers claim to provide are often nowhere to be found in customer contracts."
In May 2011, Consumers Union called on the top wireless carriers to strengthen their contracts to protect consumers in the event that their phone is lost or stolen or if a merchant makes a billing mistake or the customer is not satisfied with a purchase.  The consumer group urged the carriers to provide the same strong protections guaranteed by law when consumers use a credit card or debit card.  In addition, Consumers Union pressed the companies to provide consumers across the country with the same protections California phone customers are entitled to receive as a result of regulations issued by the state's Public Utilities Commission (PUC).  
Since May, Consumers Union has been in communication with representatives from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless to find out how they handle disputed mobile payment transactions.  All four carriers maintain that they provide ample protections for consumers.  
However, Consumers Union found that the protections these carriers provide fall short of what consumers get when they use credit cards and debit cards or when California consumers report a disputed charge on their phone accounts.  In addition, many of the protections that wireless carrier representatives described to Consumers Union are not disclosed in customer contracts, making it difficult to know whether consumers can count on these safeguards when problems arise.
"As new mobile payment options become available, consumers are better off sticking to services linked to credit cards or debit cards, which come with strong protections required by law," said Jun.  "If wireless carriers want consumers to have confidence in direct carrier billing programs, they should strengthen their contracts with the protections consumers need."  
Below is a summary of the protections that Consumers Union analyzed and what is provided by the top wireless carriers:
Limit liability when phones are lost or stolen:  A credit card customer's liability is limited to no more than $50 for unauthorized charges.  In practice, credit card issuers usually shield customers from any financial liability for fraudulent charges.  Verizon Wireless' contract makes clear that its customers are not liable for charges related to a lost or stolen phone.  Contracts for AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile protect customers from fraudulent charges made after a phone is reported lost or stolen but consumers may be on the hook for charges made before making a report.  
Limit liability for disputed charges:  If a billing error appears on a monthly credit card statement, there is no liability for the customer as long as the customer reports the error within 60 days.  "Billing error" also includes a dispute with a merchant about the delivery or acceptability of goods or services.  While all four wireless carriers insist they provide refunds for billing errors or when customers are unhappy with purchases, these rights are not clearly disclosed in their contracts.
Re-credit pre-paid customers within 10 days for disputed charges:  After a consumer reports a fraudulent transaction involving a debit card, the bank must either complete its investigation within 10 business days or provisionally re-credit the consumer's funds within that time.  AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile indicated that they strive to provide prompt refunds but none guarantee in their contracts that pre-paid customers will get a provisional refund within ten days after reporting fraudulent charges.  Verizon Wireless does not allow customers with pre-paid phone accounts to make mobile payment charges.  
Give customers the right to withhold payments for disputed charges:  California's PUC rule gives phone customers in that state the right to withhold payment of disputed charges while an investigation is conducted and requires investigations to be completed within 30 days.  Sprint's contract indicates that customers don't have to pay for disputed charges as long as they are reported within 60 days.  AT&T said that it gives all customers the right to withhold payments during an investigation but its contract only discloses this right to Californians.  T-Mobile discloses these rights for California customers but not for customers living in other states.  Verizon Wireless' contract allows customers to withhold payment for charges related to lost or stolen phones but it does not indicate that consumers have this same right for other kinds of disputed charges.  
Enable customers to set a cap on mobile payment charges:  The California PUC rule allows consumers to block third party charges on their accounts.  All four wireless carriers allow customers to block third party charges but AT&T and Sprint do not disclose this right in their contracts.  AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless set their own dollar limits on allowable charges (AT&T has a $100 limit per month per line while Sprint and Verizon Wireless limit charges to $25 per month per line).  AT&T enables consumers to set their own limits but charges $4.99 per line each month to do so.
For more details, see How Top Wireless Carriers Compare on Consumers Protections for Mobile Payments.  For Consumers Union's mobile payment tips for consumers, see:  Mobile Payments Tip Sheet: What Can Consumers Do Now
SOURCE Consumers Union

Ten Million FINO Customers in India Use Multiple Micro-Banking Applications on Gemalto Smart Cards

Image representing Business Wire as depicted i...
Image via CrunchBase

AMSTERDAM--()--Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announces that ten million Financial Inclusion Network & Operations (FINO) customers in India now enjoy the benefits of micro-banking, using Gemalto smart cards, as part of FINO’s broader branchless banking program. FINO is a business and banking technology platform combined with extensive services delivery channel. It has achieved breakthrough in scale and access to affordable financial services to the unserved and underserved masses, totaling 42 million customers in India. More than half of India’s adults today are still not served or under-served by the finance sector1, creating an immense need for financial services to be made accessible to India’s 1.2 billion population.
“FINO’s solution has also already enabled the implementation of various social and Government schemes, and Gemalto is committed to supporting them and growing this new business potential.”
FINO’s transactions are validated using biometric authentication, providing one of the highest degrees of digital security available. End-user card transaction is approved after fingerprint information is verified through the payment terminal reading and the card embedded software processing at business correspondents of FINO, called “Bandhus”. Bandhus are FINO’s business correspondents who move around by bicycle or motorbike to provide door step delivery of services, carrying a portable smartcard reader to help villagers with their everyday transactions. This is just one way customers can bank with FINO, which also provides services through retail outlets and partners’ premises. With 22,000 transaction points across India, FINO has the most active customer base in the world, and also records the highest transaction volume according to a 2010 study from the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor. Each FINO card can securely store up to 15 types of applications that facilitate daily life financial services such as deposit remittances, savings, loans, insurance and e-purses.
FINO’s goal is to make financial services available to everyone in the country, especially in rural areas. Gemalto’s ‘one-card-does-all’ solution is one of our key enablers to deliver this vision,” said Manish Khera, Chief Executive Officer, FINO. “Since the card introduction in 2007, our customers have complimented its convenience and added value to their daily livesWith more than half of India’s population unbanked, we are rapidly expanding our geographical coverage and extra services offered.”
Providing these services in India is another example of the clear benefits to society that characterize Gemalto’s solutions,” added Tan Teck Lee, President Asia, Gemalto. “FINO’s solution has also already enabled the implementation of various social and Government schemes, and Gemalto is committed to supporting them and growing this new business potential.”
55% of India’s adults are not served or under served by the finance sector, source: “The Socio-Economic Impact of Mobile Financial Services, Analysis of Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Serbia and Malaysia” The Boston Consulting Group (April 2011)
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2010 annual revenues of €1.9 billion and over 10,000 employees operating out of 87 offices and 13 Research & Development centers in 45 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure. Gemalto delivers on the growing demands for personal mobile services, identity protection, payment security, authenticated online services, cloud computing access, modern transportation, e-healthcare and e-government services. Gemalto does this by providing secure software, a wide range of secure personal devices, and managed services to wireless operators, banks, enterprises and government agencies.
Gemalto is the world leader for electronic passports and identity cards, two-factor authentication devices for online protection, smart credit/debit and contactless payment cards, as well as subscriber identification modules (SIM) and universal integrated circuit cards (UICC) in mobile phones. Also, in the emerging machine-to-machine applications Gemalto is a leading supplier of wireless modules and machine identification modules (MIM). To operate these solutions and remotely manage the software and confidential data contained in the secure devices Gemalto also provides server platforms, consulting, training, and managed services to help its customers achieve their goals.
As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the Company is poised to thrive over the coming years.
For more information visit www.gemalto.comwww.justaskgemalto.comblog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.

Heartland Payment Systems Signs Five-Year Contract with ConocoPhillips

Image representing Heartland Payment Systems a...
Image via CrunchBase

PRINCETON, N.J.--()--Heartland Payment Systems® (NYSE: HPY) one of the nation’s largest payments processors, has signed a five-year contract with ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP). Under the expanded contract, Heartland Network Services group will continue to authorize debit and credit card transactions and will now also begin settling Visa and MasterCard credit card transactions at ConocoPhillips-branded locations nationwide. The expanded card processing agreement is being supported by a new partnership between Heartland and Barclays Bank Delaware, the U.S. operation of Barclaycard, which will be delivering the payment network sponsorship services for the ConocoPhillips transactions.
“ConocoPhillips has a longstanding commitment to responsible refining and fuels marketing, just as Heartland has a longstanding commitment to responsible payments processing”
“ConocoPhillips has a longstanding commitment to responsible refining and fuels marketing, just as Heartland has a longstanding commitment to responsible payments processing,” said Bob Carr, Heartland’s chairman and CEO. “We’re proud to continue and expand our 20-year relationship by delivering secure, PCI-compliant network transaction processing services to ConocoPhillips branded locations across the country. In addition, Heartland is pleased to announce our arrangement with Barclays Bank Delaware for the bank sponsorship activities for the ConocoPhillips transactions.”
Heartland is one of the largest third-party payments processors in the convenience store and petroleum industry, offering a comprehensive suite of products and services including card processing, managed network solutions, gift marketing, prepaid services, check management, payroll services and more. For more information, visit HeartlandPaymentSystems.com/Petroleum&ConvenienceStoreSolutions or call 866-941-1477.
About Heartland Payment Systems
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (NYSE: HPY), the fifth largest payments processor in the United States, delivers credit/debit/prepaid card processinggift marketing and loyalty programspayrollcheck management and related business solutions to more than 250,000 business locations nationwide. A FORTUNE 1000 company, Heartland is the founding supporter of The Merchant Bill of Rights, a public advocacy initiative that educates merchants about fair credit and debit card processing practices. The company is also a leader in the development of end-to-end encryption technology designed to protect cardholder data, rendering it useless to cybercriminals. For more information, please visit HeartlandPaymentSystems.com and MerchantBillOfRights.org.
About Barclays
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs nearly 147,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for 48 million customers and clients worldwide. Barclaycard is a global payments business which last year enabled over 20 million consumers and 240,000 business customers worldwide to make some $315 billion of payments. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.

GSMA Announces Details of NFC & Mobile Money Summit 2012


PRESS RELEASE
Dec. 14, 2011, 4:00 a.m. EST


GSMA Event Places New Focus on Burgeoning Market for NFC Technologies and Services

LONDON, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The GSMA today announced that it will hold the new GSMA NFC & Mobile Money Summit October 22-25, 2012 at the Milano Congressi in Milan. With the growing industry momentum behind Near Field Communications (NFC) and the increased adoption of this technology by ecosystem players around the world, the GSMA has expanded the scope of its established Mobile Money Summit event to more prominently showcase NFC and its many applications. In 2012 and beyond, the event will be known as the GSMA NFC & Mobile Money Summit.
"NFC is an important innovation for consumers around the world, and while it is perhaps best known for enabling secure mobile payments, it will go far beyond to facilitate a wide range of innovative and exciting new services and applications, such as mobile ticketing, entertainment services, secure access to hotels, offices and cars, loyalty schemes and couponing, among others," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. "The NFC & Mobile Money Summit will bring together key players from every sector of the ecosystem, providing an environment to forge relationships, expand ideas and foster the growth of NFC and mobile money."
The market potential for SIM-based NFC is significant, according to forecasts from industry research firm Strategy Analytics. Nearly 1.5 billion SIM-based handsets will have been sold worldwide between 2010 and 2016, supporting transactions of more than $50 billion globally over the same period. Further, ABI Research indicates that 85 per cent of all new point of sale terminals shipped in 2016 will be NFC-enabled. Last month, more than 45 of the world's leading operators committed to support and implement SIM-based NFC solutions and services, and the GSMA announced that it has published a new set of industry specifications, which will serve as an important catalyst in accelerating the adoption of NFC services.
The NFC & Mobile Money Summit will feature two days of exhibition showcase and conference sessions, augmented by two days of invitation-only industry meetings designed to create dialogue around the opportunities and progress for the NFC and mobile money ecosystem. The conference and exhibition will be held on Tuesday, October 23rd and Wednesday, October 24th, with additional meetings and workshops being held on Monday, October 22nd and Thursday, October 25th.
For more information on the NFC & Mobile Money Summit 2012, including details on how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, please contact mmssales@gsm.org.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.
For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com .
SOURCE GSMA
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New TapBuy Technology Increases Conversion by Simplifying Checkout for Shoppers on Mobile Phones


TheFind First to Incorporate TapBuy

SAN FRANCISCO--()--TapBuy, a new quick-checkout technology that developers, shopping aggregators and retailers can imbed in their own mobile apps, is now available. TapBuy dramatically increases conversion rates because it stores shoppers’ billing and shipping preferences, which then allows consumers to check out from any supported app from any supported merchant with just a few taps. TheFind has already licensed TapBuy and launched it in the company’s iPhone comparison shopping app.
“By integrating TapBuy, we remove this point of friction for merchants, and are able to bring new deal discovery elements into our app.”
In early trials, TapBuy increased sales conversion for retailers up to 15 times. A Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) is available for licensees.
A major stumbling block for mobile ecommerce has been the hassle of having to input so much information — usernames and passwords, billing and shipping addresses and credit card information — on tiny handheld devices each time a purchase is made. This issue has resulted in low sales conversion rates for mobile commerce compared to desktop ecommerce.
“The primary point of friction in mobile commerce is that entering a credit card number and shipping information onto a tiny screen is very cumbersome,” said Ramneek Bhasin, VP & GM Mobile at TheFind. “By integrating TapBuy, we remove this point of friction for merchants, and are able to bring new deal discovery elements into our app.”
TapBuy stores consumers’ billing and payment in a server-side wallet, so that consumers enter their personal information only once. After that, mobile shoppers can check out in any TapBuy-enabled app from any merchant simply by confirming their PIN.
TapBuy, available as a SDK for retailers, developers and shopping aggregators, is transparent to merchants and can be adapted easily to integrate with any retailer with an ecommerce website. TapBuy’s browser-in-the-cloud integration presents orders to merchants as if they had been placed on a desktop ecommerce website. For consumers, TapBuy delivers a single consistent experience, even in apps featuring products from multiple retailers.
About TheFind
TheFind leverages patented product search, browse, and discovery technologies, along with data from Facebook's Open Graph, to build innovative online, tablet, and mobile shopping experiences. Ranked number 12 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies, TheFind was founded in 2005 and is venture funded by Bain Capital Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Redpoint Ventures. TheFind is a San Francisco and Silicon Valley-based company.
About TapBuy
TapBuy was founded by Amazon.com veterans Blake Scholl and Jason Crawford. The company’s mission is to bring the best of online shopping to mobile devices, providing new and better ways for find, discover, and buy products anywhere they might be. The company is seed funded by A-list angels, including Naval Ravikant, SV Angel (Ron Conway) and Owen Van Natta, and has received a strategic investment from the Washington Post Company.

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