The company is already a prominent player in the cell phone carrier payments space, but with its new Accounts system it's taking a big step toward letting people buy goods in physical stores.

That familiar "Buy Now With 1-Click" button, so enticing on Amazon.com, is about to become a temptation for mobile customers everywhere. Amazon is offering its Mobile Payments Service (MPS) platform to third parties for integration into mobile apps and Web sites. That makes it easier for users to purchase goods or information on mobile devices through their existing Amazon accounts--without having to re-log into a Web site or an app each time he or she wants to buy something.

Mobile payments system Boku just announced that it will work with a bevy of social networks and gaming sites. But competitor Zong, was recently chosen to pilot Facebook's virtual currency, called Credits. Read More »