Arcot Systems has announced extension of the Verified by Visa secure online shopping program to mobile phone transactions conforming to the latest Visa dynamic passcode authentication specifications. The first implementation is being piloted in Russia and Europe with Visa member banks, mobile operators, and technology providers.   » Continue Reading

Earlier today, we posted an item on the beta launch of a new text-based mobile payment service called TextPayMe.

Glenbrook's Russ Jones has taken a quick look at this new service and provides some initial comments on what he sees.   » Continue Reading

Lenovo has announced that it is on the verge of selling its 1,000,000th ThinkPad notebook equipped with an integrated biometric fingerprint reader.

"Security is critical to our customers, and they rely on Lenovo to deliver innovative, cutting-edge PC solutions," said Peter Hortensius, senior vice president, Notebook Business Unit, Lenovo.   » Continue Reading

Earlier this month, TextPayMe announced a new text messaging-based service for sending money using mobile phones. The company says it supports deposits from electronic bank transfers or credit cards and supports withdrawals via wire transfer or mailed checks.   » Continue Reading

TSYS has announced the purchase of an initial 34 percent equity interest in China UnionPay Data Co., Ltd. ("CUP Data"), the payments-processing subsidiary of China UnionPay Co., Ltd. ("CUP"). TSYS will increase its stake to 45 percent, pending final regulatory approval in early 2006.   » Continue Reading

SmartPay and Pudong Development Bank have announced a partnership that will enable Pudong Development Bank customers throughout China to utilize SmartPay's mobile payment services.   » Continue Reading

First Data Corp. has announced the results of a survey of the gift card market in Canada commissioned by First Data Prepaid Services' ValueLink unit. The survey of 1,015 Canadian adults aged 18 or older revealed nearly universal awareness of gift cards (91%) with well over half, 55 percent, of adult Canadian consumers indicating they had purchased and/or received a gift card in the previous 12 months.   » Continue Reading

Earthlink has announced that it is acquiring New Edge Networks for approximately $144 million, consisting of 2.6 million shares of EarthLink common stock and $114.3 million in cash, including cash to be used to satisfy certain liabilities. New Edge Networks has recently announced a series of interconnection arrangements with major payment processors.   » Continue Reading

Note: Throughout the day, as Payments News happens, this post is updated.

• Pay By Touch Closes in on 'Biometric Proxy' for PIN in Debit Payments
• Taiwan: Credit-card market slows on 107% attrition rate: Visa

  » Continue Reading