Mobile-Payments Pioneer Obopay Puts Itself on the Block As Wallet Trend Heats up

Obopay Inc., a pioneer in mobile payments whose profile fell as mobile wallets gained momentum, has put itself up for sale, according to sources familiar with the matter. Details about the sale remain sketchy, including possible valuations and the identity of bidders, but sources say the 7-year-old company and its not inconsiderable assets are on the block. “It’s in play,” says one close observer, who asked not to be identified.

http://www.digitaltransactions.net/news/story/3745

An Overview of the Plink Rewards Program

I recently found out about a new rewards/loyalty program called “Plink” that sounded interesting. I don’t think that all of you are going to want to try this one out for reasons I’ll go into more detail about below, but I have signed up myself and I’m really excited to see how it goes. It seems like a way for me to earn rewards without really doing anything extra at all.

http://realwaystoearnmoneyonline.com/2012/10/an-overview-of-plink.html

Facebook Plans Press Event for “Gifts” November 1

Here’s yet another tech company with a press event lined up for the next couple weeks: Facebook is inviting reporters to “come see what’s new with Facebook Gifts” at the FAO Schwarz store in Manhattan Nov. 1. Facebook unveiled the ability to buy physical gifts for other users last month.

http://allthingsd.com/20121018/facebook-plans-press-events-for-gifts-nov-1/

Gyft for iOS now compatible with Passbook, adds gift cards from more than 200 retailers

With Apple having recently introduced its novel Passbook feature in the latest version of iOS, it's only natural for app makers to try and take advantage of such miscellaneous hub. With that in mind, Gyft -- a 2012 TechCrunch Disrupt finalist -- has made its application fully compatible with Cupertino's newfangled iOS 6, adding support for the iPhone 5's 4-inch screen and, most importantly, the ability to add gift cards from many retailers to Passbook; some of which include Amazon, Target, Lowe's, GAP, American Eagle and Starbucks. You can grab the Gyft (v1.2) application now directly from your iDevice, or there's always the link below if that makes it slightly easier for you.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/24/gyft-for-ios-now-compatible-with-passbook/

Gyft Brings Gift Cards From Over 200 Retailers To Apple’s Passbook

Gyft, the TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2012 finalist, which lets you buy, save, redeem and share gift cards using your iPhone, has just launched Passbook integration. Because Gyft supports storing your plastic gift cards thanks to its relationships with retailers and data partners, this integration means you can now dump out all those plastic cards cluttering up your physical wallet and just use your iPhone instead.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/24/gyft-brings-gift-cards-from-over-200-retailers-to-apples-passbook/

Tango Card® for Salesforce App Simplifies B2B Gift Card Giving

Today Tango Card announces Tango Card for Salesforce, a new application available on the Salesforce AppExchange that allows customers to give, track, and manage gift cards from right within Salesforce.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tango-card-salesforce-app-simplifies-131000323.html

Plink nabs $3M for online-to-offline rewards

Rewards cards are so simple and fun, but such a pain in the ass to have to carry around.  Once, in New Orleans, my friend knocked over both our purses while I was in the bathroom.  I didn’t find out until the next day, when I had already flown back to New York and she had gone back to California, that she had mixed up some of our stuff and consequently, she ended up with a bunch of my rewards cards.  And my favorite lip gloss. 

Plink, a finalist at Vator Splash LA this summer, is proposing an obvious but brilliant solution: stop carrying around cards and earn your rewards online for shopping at your favorite offline stores and restaurants.  The company announced Wednesday that it’s raised $3 million in Series A funding from Grotech Ventures.  The company has raised $4 million altogether.

http://vator.tv/news/2012-08-01-plink-nabs-3m-for-online-to-offline-rewards