Potentially challenging similar plans by Google and other Web giants, Amazon is reportedly considering a service to let consumers pay for goods in stores using their mobile phones. "The company's
Amazon Payments unit is exploring whether to start a service based on so-called near-field communication technology," reports Bloomberg, citing sources.
NFC lets devices transmit
data such as payment information, loyalty points and coupons by tapping them against specially equipped cash registers. "Amazon ... aims to parlay its dominance in Internet retailing into mobile
commerce," Bloomberg adds. Microsoft and Google have introduced or are said to be planning software, devices or services with NFC. As Bloomberg notes, the value of mobile transactions is expected to
surge more than sevenfold by 2014, according to research firm Gartner.
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