There's a new kid on the smartwatch block, which means that Google needs to make sure that its own gear is ready for the challenge. That's why the company is pushing out new features to its Android Wear devices in the coming weeks. The biggest addition is probably WiFi support that'll let you connect to your smartphone even if it isn't in your pocket. Should you, for instance, head out to the coffee shop and leave your phone at home, then you'll still receive notifications as long as both are connected to the internet. As you can see in the GIF above, another …

Uber is revamping its strategies for the technology based generation. The company is experimenting with multiple ways to provide a better taxi experience to the customers by simplifying booking and payment, and by providing offers and loyalty points. It has already achieved its initial milestone of simplifying the payment experience through its one-time credit card link up facility. Uber’s recent partnership with Samsung features Uber in the ‘Galaxy Gifts’ widget on Samsung’s Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge along with other select Samsung models, such as Galaxy Note 4. Samsung users in the US will receive a first free ride up …

Caribou Coffee is making the leap to mobile payment with its first mobile app. Caribou's custom app provides customers with mobile payment and access to the Caribou Perks loyalty program. The mobile pay feature allows Caribou Perks members to add funds and manage their account. Caribou Coffee partnered with brand and technology company Modern Climate to create a custom mobile app that delivers a personalized experience. The retailer plans to release updates to the app later in the year. "The mobile app has been a long-time coming, and we're thrilled to introduce a technology solution that enhances our guests' experience," said Michele …

Flipkart would move to an app-only format within a year, a senior executive said, confirming growing speculation that India's largest e-commerce platform would follow the route announced for unit Myntra."Last year, we had more on the app, but still did our web and desktop. In the next year or so, we're going to be only mobile," said Michael Adnani, vice-president, retail and head of brand alliances, Flipkart. "A year ago, 6% of our traffic was coming from mobile. In less than 18 months, that traffic is 10-fold. That shows the significance of what a mobile phone is doing for the …

German automaker BMW is appealing to families with the assimilation of the location-sharing application Life360 into its vehicles. Life360 offers families the opportunity to stay connected at all times and the presence of the app within BMW cars will allow drivers to drive to a member’s location with BMW ConnectedDrive. By monitoring digital and mobile trends brands such as BMW are able to connect with consumers on a more personal level.

Google  is making a big change to its mobile payment service, Google Wallet, Yahoo Finance has learned. Funds that are left in Google Wallet will now be FDIC-insured, which means Google users’ money is now a whole lot safer — and they probably never even knew it. Here’s why this matters: when you stash your cash in mobile payment apps like Venmo, PayPal and Google Wallet, that money is not FDIC-insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protects funds held by banking institutions up to $250,000. This is a good thing because, as history has proven time and again, banks can fail …

MasterCard is boosting the role of its Qkr! application in the growing mobile-ordering space by partnering with New York restaurant Streetbird Rotisserie to give customers the ability to order ahead and pay from their phones. MasterCard has been ramping up Qkr!, with consumers able to use it to order and pay for concessions at the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament in March. Qkr! is also available in sports stadiums, concerts and schools.

At the same time that a growing number of people are using mobile apps to help them to keep tabs on their health and fitness habits and progress, it has now been announced thatApple Pay is now integrated into the InstaMed network, which will make it possible for policyholders to pay their health insurance premiums and even their copayments with their devices. This will make it possible for anyone in the InstaMed network to be able to accept mobile payment options through Apple Pay users. This includes the consumer facing apps of health care providers, venders, and payers, alike. That transaction service is …

American Express and wearable device provider Jawbone are launching a new partnership giving eligible U.S. American Express card members the ability to “tap to pay” with the new Jawbone UP4 fitness tracker. This partnership and product launch marks the first time consumers can use a wearable fitness tracker with an embedded NFC chip for contactless American Express payments. The new Jawbone UP4 tracker is expected to be available for purchase in summer 2014. “We believe this unique technology will delight our active, digitally-savvy Card Members in a powerful way and drive a new type of engagement at hundreds of thousands of …

Footwear brand Dr. Martens took its #Standforsomething campaign around the United States with indie rock band Drowners, leveraging mobile application Bandsintown to drive sales with meet-and-greets and in-store events. The campaign utilized social media and the music event application Bandsintown to broaden awareness for the tour performances, but most importantly events happening at the Dr. Martens stores, where fans of the band who could not make the shows for various reasons gathered. Sales from these events were increased by the success of each in-store event, all promoted through social media, SMS and push-notifications in the app.