The transition of smartphones into mobile wallets has accelerated after both eBay and Barclaycard issued announcement of innovative new methods of paying for goods and services. Barclaycard Visa is to release a small adhesive credit card that can be fixed to the back of a mobile and held to a reader that allows for 'contactless payments'. The zero-cost Barclaycard PayTag can be attached to the back of your mobile phone and is approximately a third of the size of a standard credit card. The mobile can then be utilised to pay for goods and services of £15 and under (this will increase to £20 in June), by being placed over a payment terminal. There will be no requirement to produce a pin or sign anything. Barclaycard said it will launch it nationwide during 2012, providing convenient services to millions of users. Major retailers that plan on introducing contactless payments include McDonald's, Boots, Waitrose, WH Smith and Tesco. Barclaycard has dismissed security concerns relating to mobile wallets as security aspects have been tested extensively. Louise Holmes, from Moneyfacts (a comparison website) is very positive for the future of mobile wallets, since with the proliferation of mobile phones, the technology will provide a convenient payment option for many. Global auction site eBay has also promised innovation in this market by allowing PayPal payments to be made from smartphones. The company also outlined the growing popularity of PayPal with a 32% increase in usage for the first three months of this year. As the number of websites and smartphone users continue to grow as a steady rate, it is logical to assume that payment gateway providers such as PayPal will also benefit from the increasing amount of online and offline transactions. Mobile wallets, while not popular with everyone, are sure to become commonly used by many of the nation's consumers.

Mobile devices have brought a unique dimension into everyday life and employment. In the previous few years, smartphones and other mobile devices offer useful functional specialised tools that enable individuals to access company and other information from another location at any time or place. Unfortunately, latest patterns in business mobility have made mobile information security a new dilemma for businesses. As indicated by a study from IDC, there have been more than 105 million mobile employees present in the UNITED STATES in 2010. The worldwide quantity will build to over 1.3 billion by 2015. These figures plainly show the significance of mobile technologies in our everyday lives. To prevent information loss and protect business information, Texas-based GlobalSCAPE, Inc. has created TappIn; a protected content system with the powerful security strategies of an EFT Server. This solution allows companies to retrieve essential business data at any time, at any place and on mobile devices. In addition, it does not need companies think about a single approach when storing data. TappIn provides the versatility to select where information is held, without restricting mobile availability. Information recorded on internal servers is just as easily utilised as information stored in the cloud, without running into the extra security concerns of storage outside the firewall. By giving scalable, protected mobile security and administration for smart devices, business owners can permit their staff members to operate their equipment of preference without placing company information in danger. As the utilisation of mobile devices by your workforce continues to build, so does the danger of network security breaches. Companies need to be aggressive in protecting data, making backup copies and, in the worst-case situation, have a reserve plan for rebuilding information. Taking the appropriate actions and using a powerful security solution can help to save you a lot of wasted time and cash and, with luck, keep you from ever needing to depend on that backup plan.

Liquidmetal has been in the news a lot recently due to its possible connection with the future release of the iPhone 5 but few of us have any idea of what it actually is. Will your iPhone be capable of changing its appearance, colour or physical size like the villain in the Terminator 2 movie? I don’t think so but if it can I’m sure a technical blogger will be able to discover it before the launch of the iPhone 5. From basic research, the liquidmetal in the iPhone 5 is based on technology developed by the California Institute of Technology and marketed by Liquidmetal Technologies. Put simply the liquidmetal in the iPhone 5 will behave as a normal material, is not a liquid at room temperature and will not transform in any way. It can be processed in the same way as plastic (thermoforming) but is far more longwearing and tougher as it is a metal alloy. However, unlike traditional alloys, it does not need to be machined, polished or cut with lasers; it can be formed into complex parts in its molten state and is pliable as temperatures increase – it does not change from solid to liquid rapidly but over a wider temperature range than other materials. Liquidmetal, if in the iPhone 5 is not a new material and has already been used as the sim ejector tool in the iPhone 3GS, in golf watches, and luxury phone casings. Note: luxury phone cases. Few of the rumours surrounding the use of liquidmetal in the iPhone 5 have mentioned the high cost of the material. If it is used, then expect the iPhone 5 to have a very high price. Perhaps Apple will provide us with a range of options, one with liquidmetal, another with standard plastics and yet another disposable option for the price of a standard smartphone. I like Apple products but detest the hype and high pricing associated with them. I’m sure there are others who feel the same way?

In today’s modern world water-resistant or even waterproof jacket and other clothing are commonplace, readily available but typically available in synthetic fabrics that encourage sweating etc. despite the air vents included. However, waterproofing anything even your smartphone is now possible and one reporter from Northern Ireland recently visited the developers of the technology- a company called P2i, located less than a half an hour from Oxford. The technology evolved a college thesis created by Stephen Coulson – Chief Technical Officer and originally for military applications such as protecting soldiers if subjected to chemical weapons attack. In recent times, the commercial implications of the technology are obvious and the company is now seeking to introduce the process in many industry areas. Imagine if this process was introduced as part of the manufacturing process of a smartphone or other portable devices. Dropping them in water would no longer cause damage as the substance effectively repels water. The Irish reporter was shown some examples of the technology in practice and was unable to feel the difference between coated and uncoated items. Most impressive of all was that fact that a coated tissue submerged in water behaved more like a sheet of flexible plastic and when removed was completely dry. Other items such as shoes were also tested and behaved in a similar manner, completely dry when removed from the tank of water. Existing users of the technology include Motorola and Ecco but I wonder why Apple has not considered it. Surely, a waterproof iPhone would hold more attraction than one involving liquidmetal or other high-tech materials. Protecting electronic devices such as a smartphone from water damage has always been a worthwhile objective and now that the solution exists, why not adopt it? A smartphone is an expensive and even if the technology adds to the retail price, I’m sure many would pay for the advantages provided.

Yes, it’s true spectators at the British Open are now allowed to bring their precious mobiles with them when watching their favourite golfers compete. Oh joy! We will all be once again subjected to the privilege of text message notifications and calls at inappropriate moments. I feel sorry for the staff that will be required to enforce these rules during the event. Usage of mobiles will be restricted to designated areas and will be strictly enforced, according to the R&A chief executive Peter Dawson. It is clearly obvious he will not be doing the enforcing. This is an attempt to entice the younger market but I don’t get it. I assumed that an interest in the sport of golf would be a determining factor. The addition of apps for live play is ideal for those who are not able to be present at the Open but what benefit are they to those who are witnessing the action as it happens? How is it possible to enforce these rules when even on flights there are always a few that either forget to switch off their mobiles or indeed blatantly use them? Have the players been consulted? How do they feel about it? I’m sure they’re not too impressed with it. With any luck, one temperamental golfer will enforce the rules by using a nine-iron like a surgeon. On a serious note, human nature being what it is , there will always be some who try to take photos etc. and genuine golf enthusiasts will be able to switch off their mobiles or at least put them on silent. All but four holes on the course have been redesigned for the event, with the course length now over 7000 yards. I plead with those who must bring their mobiles to consider the players and at least put them on silent while on the course.