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Cash, credit card, and . . . smartphones accepted

Paying by smartphone is an emerging trend

By Michael B. Farrell

 |  Globe Staff  

  November 12, 2011

With more than 35 percent of Americans carrying around smartphones, the mobile commerce market is spreading fast. Just about anyone with an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry can download an app for making purchases. And merchants can plug in credit card readers to make on-the-spot sales. It’s still in the early stages, but Boston start-ups, banks and credit card companies, major telecoms, and online retailers are making big investments on the theory that cash registers and wallets will soon be history.

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