Xtreme Labs shared with MMW today a new report on the best and worst mobile banking apps in the U.S. as rated by customers. Xtreme Labs analyzed customer reviews from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store between May 18 and June 25, 2013 for the top 53 U.S. banks (as ranked by total assets). The report includes platform coverage, highest and lowest rankings, and common customer complaints with solutions for banks to improve their mobile offering.

Visa announced that 90 U.S. banks, including Bank of America, PNC Bank, BBVA Compass and others, now support its V.me digital wallet service. That number is almost double the 50 that supported the offering in November. Further, Visa said that fully 253 merchants have agreed to support the company's V.me service, a number that includes 72 merchants signed on during the second quarter. "So there is a lot more coming here, there is a fairly significant pipeline of merchants," said Visa CEO Charles Scharf during the company's recent earnings call, according to a transcript from Seeking Alpha.

Best Buy has updated its mobile application with a new check-in feature that rewards loyalty members for shopping in-store regularly. The big box retailer has revamped its iPhone and Android app to integrate more closely with its Reward Zone loyalty program. Additionally, the update also includes a new price-watching tool that lets consumers keep a closer eye on the prices of their favorite electronics.

London department store Harrods is partnering with Geneva-based jeweler Savelli-Genve to release a luxury smartphone designed with affluent women in mind. Savelli-Genve marries technology with design through a series of handmade Google Android smartphones. Crafted similar to a high-end jewelry collection, the Savelli-Genve smartphone collection will be sold in Harrods' Fine Jewelery Room.

As smartphone penetration continues its rapid rise, it has been predicted by recent research that social media marketing over these devices will play a growing role in the success of mobile commerce. For example, a recent report from Brafton indicated that smartphone users and tablet users have increased their visits to websites by 52 percent this year, when compared to the same time last year.

Airtel M Commerce Services Limited, a Bharti subsidiary, has entered into a tie-up with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited to offer railway bookings through airtel money. With this, an estimated 20 million commuters travelling by rail every day in India will now be able to enjoy the convenience of booking tickets through their mobile phones via airtel money. Dharmender Khajuria, COO, Bharti Airtel J&K today at a press conference here said, "airtel money has been growing with every passing day due to its relevant use ranging from bill payments, recharges, money transfer. It is our constant endeavour to …

Allure Magazine is enlisting Microsoft Tags for the fourth time in what it claims to be its biggest giveaway in Free Stuff issue history, with 37,298 items available. The beauty magazine is giving away more than $1 million in beauty and fashion prizes as part of its annual Free Stuff issue. Readers have the option of scanning Microsoft Tags to sign up for reminders for each of the giveaway entries.

Despite a turbulent economic environment, European e-commerce is thriving, with growth driven largely by mobile commerce. A new report from Transport Intelligence, a market research firm, shows that European e-commerce activity has been on the rise, with many consumers purchasing products online via their smartphones and tablets. This sector is showing strong growth even as similar sectors in the retail industry lose their footing due to troubling economic climates throughout the region.

Apparel and accessories retailer Urban Outfitters is drawing in shoppers in a creative way with its new iPhone charging stations. Starting this summer, many of the Urban Outfitters stores added charging stations to their stores. The charging tables have ten iPhone chargers that shoppers can use free of charge.

The GSMA has revealed ambitious plans to combine mobile connectivity with high street shopping experiences to support retailers and town centres. At an event in London yesterday (25 July) the GSMA discussed how mobile operators can offer value added services through Near Field Communication (NFC) and related technologies.