Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch writes about a patent application by Apple that "hints at a killer future feature that would let iPhone owners bypass long lines by placing orders at coffee shops and other retail outlets right from their phone." Over the years, there have been several "remote order and pay" initiatives - most recently including MyTango.com.

Online Resources Corp. has released results of a recent survey of U.S. households
and billers regarding the effect of the current mortgage crisis on bill payment and collection patterns. According to ORCC, the survey shows that fallout from the mortgage sector is spilling over into the broader economy, impacting companies across industries and their ability to collect payments.

APACS, the UK payments association, has just published a new report titled "Payment Myths" that it says "uncovers the facts behind payment trends in Britain." According to APACS, the booklet uses statistical evidence to help consumers better understand the payment options available to them and offers advice on the best ways to manage their finances; no matter what payment method they use. The report uses APACS statistics to show examples of the way we use cash, our susceptibility to fraud and the new demographic make up of online bankers – to name but a few.

A Japanese inventor, Shigeru Arisawa of Tokyo, was issued US patent 7,311,246 on Dec. 25 for a "method and system of transmitting electronic value information between terminals." The patent has been assigned to Sony Corporation.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Payments System Research Department has published a new Payment System Research Briefing by Terri Bradford titled "The Evolution of the ACH" . "This article ... summarizes the beginnings of the ACH, exciting changes underway today, and possible further changes in the future."

• Facebooking your finances - Current online behaviour shows Australian consumers are still not quite ready to share their money matters