Bank of America launches NFC m-payment trial for BlackBerry users (USA)
Bank of America, US financial services provider is planning to invite BlackBerry users to try a mobile payment program powered by NFC chips. The project is scheduled for launch in Spring. Trial participants need either a Visa debit card or a MasterCard credit card through Bank of America.
The trial targets BlackBerry Curve 8520, 8530, Tour 9630, Bold 9000, 9650 and 9700 handsets users. Customers who opt to participate in the trial program will receive an NFC-enabled battery cover and a microSD memory card.
Verizon’s BlackBerry Tour receive Push-to-talk app (USA)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Push-to-talk application will be offered by Verizon Wireless to the BlackBerry Tour 9630. In order to have the service added to their plan, interested customers are required to contact Verizon Wireless after which they can download the application that makes it work.
Through this application, BlackBerry Tour users can initiate and participate in group calls with up to 50 participants and check colleagues’ availability with the Presence feature. For both voice and PTT calls, the end users’ devices will have a single phone number. Only a handful of devices from Verizon have PTT services.
According to Verizon, Motorola is helping it provide the application and technology to make PTT possible on its handsets.
The cost of the service is $5 per month but it is available for free to new BlackBerry users who sign up during the promotion. Devices using both Research In Motion’s BIS (consumers) and BES (business users) services carry the service.
Verizon to launch BlackBerry Tour on 12 July for $200 (USA)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Verizon Wireless, the USA largest mobile phone operator, has confirmed that the operator will start vending the BlackBerry TOur 9630 from 12 July for a price of $199.99 on contract.
The handset is already available for pre-order on the operator’s website.
Interestingly, Verizon will offer two versions of the Tour: a regular one, and a camera-free one for those who work in institutions where camera phones are banned.
