Dawn Kehr of Source Technologies writes about how kiosks and other interactive technologies are becoming popular among consumers - citing, among others, a gift card kiosk deployed by Build-A-Bear Workshop last holiday season.

In an article in this morning's Wall St. Journal titled "Mobile Banking Shifts Into Higher Gear," Jane Kim reports on the resurgence in interest among major banks in offering mobile banking services. Kim quotes Celent analyst Dan Schatt who "says he expects that by the end of this year, 10% of people who currently bank online will use mobile banking." Kim also notes that some consumers think mobile payments when they hear about mobile banking - and are disappointed when mobile payments isn't part of a bank's mobile service offering.

The TJX Companies has issued a press release (PDF) that includes its updated findings from the company's "ongoing investigation of its previously announced unauthorized intrusion into its computer systems." The release provides more details about the nature and time frames of the data breach.

Visa and JCB have announced an agreement to share Visa Asia Pacific's contactless specification, which JCB says will soon open up the acceptance of JCB's contactless cards, J/Speedy, at merchant locations outside of Japan. With this arrangement, merchants can use the same terminal to accept contactless payments for both brands.

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