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By Eric, February 10, 2012 11:04 pm

As multiple news outlets have reported, the Google Wallet hacked again this week. Blaze Mobile users are safe from such hacks because we do NOT store secure data on the phone. This prevents the hacks that the Google Wallet suffered this week. Furthermore, Blaze has passed PCI audits, which requires that the secure data not be stored on the phone. You can read more about out multi-layer and extensive security safeguards here . Here are links to Venture Beat and Gizmodo articles on the Google Wallet hacks (Venture Beat here),  (Gizmodo article here).

At Blaze Mobile, safety is one of our primary concerns, so you can rest assured that we have thought long and hard about protecting your data, and that we have a robust security infrastructure in place to protect your info.

Happy Blazing!

- Eric, Chief Marketer

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By Eric, February 8, 2012 11:16 pm

Thank you to Michael Koploy for sharing his Mobile Payments: FAQs for Retailers article with us, and because we like it so much, I’m sharing it with you too. Read full article here

In response to Micheal’s article, I must point out that Blaze offers robust, multi-layered security including remote deactivation, and full data encryption. You can see a detailed description of Blaze Security here.  Additionally, Blaze already has full rewards and coupon integration, so consumers can redeem coupons and add their multiple loyalty accounts to their Blaze Mobile Wallet.

Enjoy Michael’s article, and share your thoughts below or on Facebook or Twitter.

- Eric, Chief Marketer

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By Eric, February 3, 2012 2:41 am

Fresh off our trip to the Social Commerce conference, where we made some great new business contacts, we are posting about our social feature that allows users to buy movie tickets, and share with friends on Facebook. Watch this video to see exactly how it works.

Buy Movie Tickets & Share on Facebook

Tell us what you think in the comments section or on Facebook or Twitter (@BlazeMobileNews).

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By Eric, January 17, 2012 10:17 am

Dear Blazer,

We hope that 2012 is off to a great start for you! At Blaze Mobile we are gearing up for some really exciting developments that we’ll be sharing with you soon. In the mean time, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the freshest updates.

We are hitting the road this month and participating in some cool tech events. Please join us in person if you can. If you can’t, no worries, we will be sharing our experiences via Twitter and Facebook.

• January 19th, 6:30pm at NFC MeetUp -  Blaze Mobile CEO/Founder, Michelle Fisher, will speak. Join us at:  LinkedIn Corp, Culture Club Room. 2025 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA

• January 24-26, Social Commerce Strategies Conference -  Innovation Spotlight: Blaze Mobile Presentation (http://bit.ly/xygV9N)

Free Mobile Payment Analysis by Aberdeen Group

In addition to being invited to the aforementioned speaking engagements, Blaze recently participated in a research study about the mobile payment industry conducted by Aberdeen Group. As part of our participation, we can offer you a free download of the full report here (http://bit.ly/xG1ou3). We hope that you find it informative.

If you have ideas, share them with us at ideas@blazemobile.com

Blaze forward in 2012!

- Eric B., Chief Marketer

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By Eric, January 7, 2012 10:26 pm

Kick off 2012 with the latest mobile payment industry analysis covering trends, opportunities, best practices and more. Download the full version of the, Mobile Payment Opportunity, by Aberdeen Group here http://bit.ly/xG1ou3. It’s free for a limited time, so don’t wait. We hope you enjoy it, and that the new year is off to a wonderful start for you!

- Eric B., Chief Marketer

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By Blaze Evangelist, November 30, 2011 10:41 am

Dear Blazer,

If you’ve been watching the news lately or braved the Black Friday mayhem, you know that holiday shopping is a full-contact sport. Lucky for you, with the Blaze Mobile Wallet and NFC sticker you can Shop Til’ You Drop faster and more securely.

Faster & Easier with Blaze

You don’t have to open the Blaze Mobile Wallet or enter a PIN before your purchase, so speed through the check out and leave other shoppers in your dust.

E-Receipts make life simple

Every time you Blaze a purchase, an e-receipt is saved automatically to your account. This means keeping track of purchases is hassle-free, and ensures you’ll never have to hunt for the paper receipt to make any returns.

No Battery, No Problem

Phone battery running low, no worries – the Blaze Sticker uses no battery power (zero, zilch, nada) so it won’t drain a drop of your battery. Think we’re kidding, turn off your phone and you’ll see that you can still make a tap and pay purchase. How does it still work? Just a little Blaze holiday magic! =)

Safe & Secure, Never Worry Security

Means you can shop with focus, intensity and peace of mind that your account is safe in the event of phone loss or theft.

If you prefer to shop from online from the comfort of home, you can use the Blaze Mobile Prepaid card that comes with your sticker. So, we’ve got you whether you are shopping online or in person.

Of course, we want you to be responsible shoppers, so be sure to use the Blaze Mobile Wallet to check your available account balance from more than 8,000 financial institutions (meaning your bank is included) before or after your transaction and view your receipts

After all that shopping, you’ll probably find yourself hungry and/or thirsty. So use Blaze find nearby stores, restaurants, and other points of interest as well as get turn-by-turn directions to your destination.

While you are relaxing after an epic shopping haul, use Blaze Mobile Wallet to check your reward card balance.

Finally, take a load off your feet and use the Blaze Mobile Wallet to buy a movie ticket up to a week in advance of the show. After you buy the ticket, with 1 click on the Facebook icon, you can invite your Facebook friends to join you at the show.

Please vote for Blaze Mobile Wallet as the best shopping application at the 2011 Crunchies Awards. It’ll only take a second, and we greatly appreciate your support! Vote now (hyperlink the “Vote now”)  http://crunchies2011.techcrunch.com/

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, November 1, 2011 5:15 am

Dear Blazer,

As you know, tapping your NFC enabled mobile device  vs swiping a plastic magnetic card at the checkout shaves a few seconds on your transaction, especially since you don’t have to open the Blaze Mobile Wallet and enter a PIN before making an NFC contactless payment

But, the real value of using your NFC enabled device along with the Blaze Mobile Wallet includes the ability to:

-         Check your available account balance before or after your transaction and view your receipts

-         Receive relevant coupons

-         Check loyalty and gift card balances

-         Create expense reports

-         Find nearby stores, restaurants, and other points of interest as well as get turn-by-turn directions

-         Find movie show times and buy your ticket in advance to avoid waiting in line.

-         Share a great discount on a product purchase with your friends on Face Book or Twitter.  

Check out the videos below to see all of these features and more:

NFC purchase at Whole Foods, Best Buy, Office Depot, and Rite Aid and “Reward Card” feature.       

NFC purchase at Noah’s Bagels, McDonald’s, Jack N Box, and 7-11 and “Search” feature.    

NFC purchase at SF Giants Stadium and “Mobile Banking” feature. 

NFC purchase  in a Taxi and “Expense Report” feature

Movie Ticket Purchase and “Offline” feature

If you have ideas for other features, email us at ideas@blazemobile.com

As always, Happy Blazing!  

 - Blaze Mobile Team

Comments (0)

By Blazengineer, October 20, 2011 4:10 am

 Blazers,

Don’t worry if the iPhone 4s doesn’t have NFC. Remember you can use our patented NFC sticker.  Also, there are NFC cases and Micro SD available. More at http://www.zdnet.com.au/nfc-less-iphone-4s-dont-panic-339323716.htm

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By Blaze Evangelist, October 12, 2011 9:33 pm

Blazers, did you hear that next year, Subway restaurants will have MasterCard Pay Pass? 

Check out this article for details http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20111007005068/en/SUBWAY%C2%AE/MasterCard%C2%AE/PayPass%E2%84%A2

This means that you will be able to use theBlaze  NFC sticker to buy your sandwhich  since Blaze works whereve MAsterCard Pay Pass works.

Happy Blazing!

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By Blaze Evangelist, October 1, 2011 7:00 am

Blazers,

For your convenience, we have put together a comparison of currently available mobile financial services/mobile wallets in our September Newsletter which I have attached and is also  available at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter/MobileFinancialServices.pdf

Here are some videos which show how the Blaze Mobile Wallet works.

·         Noahs Bagels, McDonald’s, Jack N Box, and 7-11  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fymoJAdvlWM&feature=channel  

·         Whole Foods, Best Buy, Office Depot, Rite Aid, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2gktN–bqs      

·          Fan using Blaze to buy a hot dog and fries at Giants Baseball game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RH6c17kK04

·         Movie Ticketing Purchase http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83bM7jtSQVk&feature=channel

·          Blazin’ in a Taxi in NY  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aWpzGE431k

·         Social media integration, coupons , contactless payment, and ticketing in Blaze Wallet V 2.0 available at http://www.finovate.com/fall10vid/blaze.html      

Our  mobile wallet was recently rated as one of the top financial applications by CNN Money http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/pf/1010/gallery.personal_finance_startups/8.html

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By Chief Blazer, June 29, 2011 4:19 pm

Blazers,

Did you know that we invented the NFC payment sticker back in 2006?  Back in those days,   our small team developed an alpha of our mobile wallet using the only NFC cell phone available which was the Nokia 3220. We programmed the Nokia 3220 NFC cell phone with our own personal credit cards and went shopping. While we were excited that it worked as you can see by pictures below, we realized that we could not build a business with one NFC cell phone.

Rather than waiting for more NFC cell phones, we brainstormed about ways to upgrade existing cell phones to be NFC capable and the NFC payment sticker was one of  our ideas. 

We recently were awarded a patent for this which you can read about at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter/StickersForEveryone.pdf

So, now everyone can shop with any cell phone.

Happy Blazing!

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, June 3, 2011 4:31 pm

Check out what’s in the Blaze Mobile Wallet at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter.asp

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By Blaze Evangelist, April 21, 2011 2:08 pm

Blazers check out the April Newsletter for tips on using E-receipts at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter.asp

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By Blaze Evangelist, March 28, 2011 8:23 am

 The New York Times’ recent article, Swiping Is The Easy Part, examines the challenges facing mass adoption of the mobile wallet in the US.  The article lists lack of NFC-enabled mobile phones, and security concerns as two potential reasons for the slow deployment of mobile wallets.  Blaze Mobile users know that the Blaze Sticker makes their existing mobile phone or device NFC-capable, and that Blaze’s ability to remotely deactivate any account addressses these security issues  if a phone is lost or stolen.  Blaze users, revel in the fact that you’re already part of the future!  Read the full article here www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/technology/24wallet.html

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By Blaze Evangelist, March 14, 2011 12:51 pm

Blaze remains at the forefront of mobile commerce trends emerging on smartphones. Read the full article, The Pros and Cons of Replacing Credit Cards with Smartphones, click here http://www.gobankingrates.com/credit-card-rates/the-pros-and-cons-of-replacing-credit-cards-with-smartphones/

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By Blaze Evangelist, March 4, 2011 2:27 pm

We have updated our Blaze Whitepaper which includes all of the features of Blaze 2.0 and more. Check it out at http://www.blazewallet.com/consumersinfo.asp
Have a great weekend!

Comments (0)

By mfisher, March 2, 2011 7:40 pm

Hey Blazers, in case you aren’t on our mailing list, you can still get the Feb newsletter at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter.asp

Comments (0)

By mfisher, January 31, 2011 9:47 am

Blazers, the January newsletter is available at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter/Happy_2011_Trail-Blazer!.pdf

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By Blaze Evangelist, November 30, 2010 11:54 am

We have invented a new patent pending “smart” payment sticker that enables information to be transferred in real-time between the sticker and a mobile device without the use of a carrier network.

With the new Blaze “Smart” sticker, when consumers make contactless purchases, the data is sent directly from the sticker to the mobile device, eliminating the need for a carrier network or WIFI. The sticker, which can be used on any mobile device, offers Blaze’s users real-time account information whether in a store, subway, transit station, airplane, or anyplace without cell phone reception.

The data transfer works in both directions, so the mobile device can also transmit information to the smart sticker without using a carrier network or WIFI. This technology offers unprecedented capabilities to the consumer. For example, consumers can use the Blaze sticker to easily store and select from multiple payment options, like credit, gift and debit cards. Furthermore, Blaze’s sticker offers a myriad of business options beyond mobile payments including remote access to buildings, cars or health care data, and increased data security because of the ability to remotely deactivate lost or stolen stickers.

Comments (0)

By mfisher, November 18, 2010 10:49 am

Blaze was recently profiled in the MIT Technology Review http://www.technologyreview.com/business/26647/?mod=chfeatured

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By Blaze Evangelist, October 29, 2010 6:01 am

Blazers,

Check out the October Newsletter at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter/BlazeNewsletter_201010.pdf

You can stay in touch with us in several ways.

• For weekly updates,  follow us on twitter, facebook, or our blog.
• For monthly updates, sign up for our newsletter at http://www.blazewallet.com/newsletter.asp
• For support anytime, email us at support@blazemobile.com or call us at 1-877-592-5293.  Our videos on Youtube can be helpful and entertaining http://www.youtube.com/user/blazewallet

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By Blaze Evangelist, October 25, 2010 7:48 am

Blaze 2.0 was recently rated as one of the top new ways to manage your money by CNN  Money. For more details please read the article at http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/pf/1010/gallery.personal_finance_startups/8.html

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By Blaze Evangelist, October 13, 2010 6:29 am

Blazers,

Through our partnership with Cell Fire, you can now get grocery coupons from over 5,000 grocery stores in the latest version of Blaze 2.0 for the iPhone. Simply select “Rewards” from the main menu. Then select “Grocery Coupons” from the submenu.

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By Blazengineer, October 1, 2010 3:50 pm

Hello Blazers,

We have a brand new customer care number which is 1-877-592-5293.

Feel free to continue to email us at support@blazemobile.com

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By Chief Blazer,

We have a new version of the Blaze Mobile Wallet for the iPhone called Blaze 2.0 with a green logo representing the fact that we are eco-friendly. If you are an existing customer, simply download this version from the app store and enter your existing userid and password. Your previous settings and account information are still in tact.

One of the major new features of Blaze 2.0 is called “check out,” which  allows consumers to share their purchases on Facebook.    It compliments  the popularity of consumers “checking in” and sharing location and purchase information with friends.

 After a purchase is made with any card linked to the Blaze Mobile Wallet, consumers can click on the Facebook icon within the Blaze app, which will automatically generate a customizable message listing the merchant and date of purchase.  For movie ticket purchases, the film, theater, date and time are included in the auto-message. 

Consumers can edit the message or post it as is on their Facebook page.  The entire process takes just a few clicks to execute.  The “check out“ feature enables consumers to tell their friends about a product they have purchased or invite them to an upcoming movie.

See example pictures below.

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, September 15, 2010 7:42 pm

Last week our Blaze Mobile rewards card post & video walked through how to add rewards cards from retail, airlines, hotels and car rentals into Blaze Mobile Wallet. The benefit is easy to see - all the account information at your fingertips, without lugging around all those cards.

During the one-time set-up process for the rewards cards, you have the option to include the username and password you use to log on to the reward card’s online portal.  Why add this info?  Great question!  Your blaze Mobile Wallet will then be able to access and display your current reward card balances, all in your wallet!  What an easy way to see how close you are to earning a free flight, premier status, or a gift card - especially with the holiday season just around the corner.

To get started, simply  add a new card directly into Blaze Wallet from your cell phone  or on the Self Care Portal.

Comments (1)

By Blaze Evangelist, September 8, 2010 7:17 am

With back to school in full swing and the holidays quickly approaching, now is a great time to make sure you are set to get the most out of your purchases this season. Consolidate that wallet full of rewards cards into your Blaze Mobile Wallet - your wallet can store rewards from grocery stores, rental cars, airlines, drugstores, hotels and more without taking up all the space! Check your balances too. Make sure you have your rewards number on hand at all times and earn those rewards faster.

Video: Earn your Rewards

Add new loyalty program numbers directly on Blaze Mobile from your smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry or Android) or on the Blaze Mobile Self-Care Portal.

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, August 30, 2010 6:19 am

It’s that time of year again…get out your pencils, papers and books.  Or these days, your cell phone and iPad. That’s right, Back to School is quickly approaching.  Are you ready?

With Blaze Mobile Wallet on your phone you can breeze through the day, in style. Lets breeze through a day in the life:

6 am:  Cell phone alarm wake up call
7 am:  Head to your local Tully’s Coffee or Noah’s Bagels to fuel up for the day armed with your Blaze Mobile Wallet
8 am:  Last minute school supplies?  Blaze through checkout at Rite-Aid or CVS
10 am: Searching for a must-have gadget? Use your Blaze Mobile Wallet for both rewards and purchase at Best Buy
12 pm: A full day, and it’s only noon!  Get through those long lunch lines at 7-Eleven or McDonald’s in no time, they’re both Blaze Wallet friendly too!
5 pm: Headed home, finally.  Grab some dinner to go, or pick up the essentials at Whole Foods.

That’s right - all of those retailers (and about 50,000 more) accept Blaze Mobile Wallet!

That’s a full day out & about with Blaze Wallet as your guide including local retailers, rewards cards, and mobile payments.
Now that’s a school day to cheer about!

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, August 19, 2010 1:13 pm

If you’re like most of us with a cell phone contract, you probably are eligible for a cell phone upgrade every 2 years or so. Some of us (you know who you are…) can’t wait that long - and *need* to have the latest and greatest phone as soon as it hits the shelves.   With an estimated 4,600,000,000 mobile phones worldwide, what’s happening to all those outdated cell phones - about 130 Million a year in the US alone?  Keep the toxic metals out of the environment and do some good too with our round up of creative ways to make the most of an old cell phone:

• Donate your phone to Cell Phones for Soldiers and turn your old phone into prepaid minutes for soldiers to call home!
• Want to choose a charitable organization close to home?  Head over to American Cell Phone Drive and use the zip code locator to find drop-off locations near you.
• The FCC requires that every cell phone, even without a plan, allows for emergency calls to 911. So donate your old phone to a senior center or homeless shelter.
• Most carriers and retailers, such as AT&T, Verizon, Best Buy, will also accept & recycle your old cell phone.

Remember to erase your contact lists, messages and call logs before donating your phone.  Most cell phones use a “master reset” to delete information quickly and easily.

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, August 12, 2010 7:34 am

Looking for an escape from the heat or a passing summer thunderstorm?  Or just a fun night out before Back to School?  How about heading to the movies to sink into another world for a few hours?  Before you put on those 3D glasses, be sure to check out movie section of the Blaze Wallet first.

• Get showtimes for your movie
• Watch trailers
• Buy tickets - your ticket is stored in your Blaze Wallet so you don’t have to print it
• Find nearby restaurants to grab a meal before or after the movie

And we’ll even customize the experience for you:  Blaze automatically detects your network speed and  delivers different quality trailers depending on whether you have WIFI, 3G, or 1x - so you can watch a trailer without interruption.

Learn how easy it is to Blaze at the movies with our movie ticketing video!

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, August 5, 2010 6:46 am

With back to school just around the corner for most students, parents and students alike are preparing for the new school year - which means shelling out for books and school supplies.  Whether you have a student headed off to middle school, high school or college, chances are their cell phone is one of the most critical possessions they’ll be packing.

Parents, help keep your kids organized and financially responsible with the Blaze Mobile app.

• You can transfer funds to their accounts when they are away from home
• Teach them to better manage their money and check balances regularly - the key to a balanced budget and avoiding overdraft fees
• Know that with Blaze Mobile they can purchase with security
• And your kids will love the movie preview & ticketing features!

What’s in it for you? Peace of mind that you can help your kids when they need you most, even when they’re on the go.

Comments (1)

By Blaze Evangelist, July 26, 2010 7:27 am

Your Blaze Mobile Wallet makes it fast, convenient and safe to transfer money directly to your friends and family using the power of your mobile phone.  You can send money anywhere and anytime - whether on the go or at home.  No need to make a trip to the bank or money transfer facility!  Once you send, the transfer happens fast and a confirmation alert will be sent immediately to you and the receiver.

To learn more, visit the Blaze Wallet Self Care Portal today!

Comments (0)

By Amy, June 28, 2010 9:47 pm

With your Blaze Mobile Wallet, you can manage your account whenever and wherever you want in the United States.  It lets you check your balances, view transaction history, pay bills, transfer funds and set-up alerts on virtually any smartphone device.  It’s safe and easy to set up, so let’s get started today.

Comments (0)

By Amy, June 22, 2010 2:43 pm

Contactless payments are making headlines around the world! From Canada to Michigan, and everywhere in between. Here’s a round-up of just a few of the latest places to start using contactless payments:

• Edmonton Eskimos using contactless, no need to take off the gloves!
• Baseball season’s in full swing at the Minnesota Twins Target Stadium
• Transit Windsor offers smart cards for public transit

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, June 19, 2010 6:07 am

Tired of lugging around all of those loyalty cards in your wallet? Load them into your Blaze Mobile Wallet today and avoid missing out on your discount savings and rewards.

From neighborhood mom & pop shops to hotels, retailers, airlines, rental cars and supermarkets, Blaze Mobile supports almost every major loyalty card program. When you add your loyalty card program numbers into the Blaze Mobile Wallet, your rewards will update within 24 hours each time you use it. So you don’t have to wait for monthly statements or guess your reward totals – its right at your fingertips.

Don’t miss out. Start adding your loyalty program numbers today by visiting the Self-Care Portal on the web, or adding them directly from your smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry or Android)! To see how it works, check out our video!

Comments (0)

By Amy, May 27, 2010 3:05 pm

Hooray for Hollywood, Hooray for Hollywood!  Just as May Sweeps wind down and we’re left with re-runs, the summer blockbuster movies hit the scene.

Whether your planning a girls night out, date night, or a family adventure, Blaze Mobile has the app to make your theater experience a success.

Popcorn in hand? Watch the Blaze Mobile movie and learn how easy it is to

• watch trailers
• purchase tickets
• read reviews

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Comments (0)

By Blazengineer, May 21, 2010 7:58 am

Blaze Mobile offers access to over 8,000 financial institutions, giving you the ability to view your banking and credit card account information anytime you need it from your mobile handset. Instantly eliminate the need to head to the bank or ATM, or even from your home.  You can view your account balances & receipts anywhere - while commuting to work, on your lunch break, or while waiting for the dentist.

To view your account information, be sure to set up your account today by visiting http://www.blazewallet.com.

o Log into your Self-Care portal (https://www.blazewallet.com/scp/logon.asp)
o To add a new account, follow the steps below:
+ Select “My Payment Methods” from the left navigation menu
+ Select “Add a New Payment Method” in the upper right hand corner
+ Select the type of account you want to add (e.g. checking, savings, credit card, etc)
+ Select your financial institution from the list
+ Enter the required information your account number, billing address, etc.
+ Select the box that says “Setup Transaction Service” and then “Submit”
+ Enter the login credentials required by your financial institution (these credentials are different than your blaze wallet userid/password)
+ Select “Submit”

If you are looking to modify an existing account or need additional support with set-up, you can read the FAQ on Facebook for step by step instructions.

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, May 19, 2010 2:57 pm

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and with it, the unofficial start to summer! Weekends full of street fairs and barbecue.  And Blaze Mobile Wallet is the perfect app for your summer-time plans. Here’s why, you can use it to:

• Purchase Movie Tickets.  Head to the theater near you and check out your favorite movie! Use Blaze to search for a local movie, watch a trailer, read reviews, and purchase your tickets, all from the comfort of your smartphone!
• Make Purchases  Need to pick up some last minute supplies for a weekend of grilling?  Blaze through the line at checkout at 7-Eleven, Home Depot and Whole Foods and you’ll be wearing an apron and flipping burgers in no time.  That’s right, Blaze Mobile is accepted at over 14,000 contactless merchants and anywhere MasterCard is accepted!

Now that’s summer livin’ at its best! Download Blaze today.

Comments (0)

By BlazeCraze, May 12, 2010 6:45 am

For those of you not old enough to remember this, there was a time when [shock]…TV was only in black & white.  Techonological advancements move so quickly that we forget that color TV was a big deal just 50 years ago.  Forget HDTV, DVR’s and hundreds of cable stations (and still nothing to watch!).

And in 2010, mobile-phone subscribers are forecasted to hit 5 billion. That’s right, billion with a b.  Faster than the adoption of color television.  And almost half of them (more than 2 billion) will be in developing countries.  Amazing, isn’t it?  In fact, many developing countries have skipped the land-lines and gone straight to cell phone towers and the wireless age.

So what’s next now that mobile is ubiquitous and smart phones move mainstream? According to many industry experts, mobile payments are next. What do you know, if you are using Blaze Mobile, you are ahead of the curve!

Comments (0)

By Amy, May 10, 2010 10:05 am

In honor of Mother’s Day, we thought we’d share some interesting statistics on the power users of mobile phones:  moms.  That’s right, despite men being often characterized as the household gadget geek, in many homes (like mine) it’s the mom who is actually driving household purchases and upgrading to new technologies and time savers.

As CEO’s at home and in the office, moms spend an average of $94 on their cell phone bill, and are 42% more likely to download mobile apps to their phone (born out of necessity as they multi-task).  Here’s to you moms!

You can read more and get the link to the full report from Scarborough Research.

Comments (0)

By Blaze Evangelist, May 5, 2010 7:36 am

Our friends to the north are using contactless payment in some pretty cool implementations. We already mentioned the availability of contactless vending machines at the Vancouver Olympics, and now we hear that Canadian citizens will be getting ePassports in 2012 - just around the corner.

The ePassports will have an embedded chip containing information about the traveler such as name, gender, birth place and date, and even a digital photo. Advantages?  Increased security and ease of travel.  What a great example use case for contactless technology.

And, in another smart move, the Canadian government is surveying citizens for their thoughts on the fees and process.  We love that!

Comments (0)

By Amy, May 3, 2010 6:52 am

We appreciate that many of you have been waiting patiently for your Blaze Mobile stickers - which will allow you to use your phone as your wallet to make purchases everywhere contactless is accepted (and that’s a lot of places - over 10,000 US retailers!). We’re thrilled to announce that they are coming - SOON - we expect them at the end of the May, and will send them out to you quickly thereafter.

The sticker has some great benefits if you are just starting out, want to stick to a budget, love cool technology, or just want more convenience.  It’s a tiny little sticker for your phone that’s packed with features.  It’s a Prepaid Account and US Checking Account that requires

• No credit check
• No minimum balance, which always comes in handy
• Accepted world-wide (World Cup in South Africa anyone?)
• Pay as you Go - this means you can re-load the card with cash at anytime, or transfer funds from other cards
• Accepted at ATM machines, and we all know how many of those there are around!
• It sticks right onto the back of your phone, so it’s always with you
• It always wants to watch the same movie and TV shows as you

Haven’t signed up for yours yet? Sign up to be notified when they’re available at stickers@blazemobile.com

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By Amy, April 28, 2010 6:31 am

Merchants are adding contactless payment terminals, so you can use Blaze Mobile or other contactless payment forms, every day. The advantage?  The terminals are more convenient for customers (like us!) and help speed up checkout (good for us and the merchant!).

But how to know where they are accepted - with an ever-changing list, in can be complicated to keep track of -

• Let your wallet be your guide.  Blaze Mobile Wallet that is.  You can use search and your phone’s GPS to help you find locations nearby that accept contactless payment
• Planning ahead? If you are headed to a specific destination, you can check their website - many are now promoting the forms of payment they accept.
• Check out the credit card companies themselves, who help move payment technology forward.  Sites  from MasterCard and  Visa have lists of all the places that accept contactless payment (which means they accept Blaze Mobile!)

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By Blazengineer, April 26, 2010 8:25 am

It’s probably the most common question on any website or app that requires one, and that includes Blaze Mobile Wallet. Since we’re not elephants (who never forget), and just about everything requires a password these days, its probably inevitable that at some point, you’ll have a momentary brain freeze and need a little help.

You can reset your password at the Blaze Self Care Portal (SCP) using the “Forgot my Password” link on the homepage.  If you’re not in front of a computer, or need more immediate help, you can email or call us for help at support@blazewallet.com or 1-877-232-5293 and you’ll be back up and running in no time!

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By Blaze Evangelist, April 22, 2010 7:47 am

Not only is Blaze Wallet easy to use and packed with features, but its also earth-friendly - no more receipts and  expense reports right from your mobile wallet. So we’re happy to celebrate earth day and offer you a few more tips for going green:

• Go Paperless - Sign up for electronic billing and get notified via email when a bill is due.  Then use Blaze Mobile Wallet to transfer funds and schedule the payment
• Forego the catalogs - use catalogchoice to select only the catalogs you actually want, and tell the rest no thank you
• Take public transportation to work (and in some locales you can use contactless to do so!)  or better yet, get your exercise in too by biking or walking to work or school
• Plant a tree!  Don’t have a yard?  No problem - substitute by choosing locally grown produce at the local farmer’s market for reduced transportation emissions

There are so many small changes you can make that add up to a big contribution.  These are just a few - share your favorites with us!

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By Blaze Evangelist, April 19, 2010 7:47 am

I always dreaded this question when interviewing - “So, where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

[Pause]

Do you give the expected response “I’d like to still be working for the Widget Factory and making a difference in people’s lives with Widget Factory Widgets” or the truthful answer “I’d like to be retired and sipping an umbrella drink in a hammock on a sandy beach. “  We can’t tell you which one will get you a job, but the UK Payment Council has put together some different predictions for the next 5 years.

We already told you that cheques were being phased out in the UK, and now cash will represent less than 50% of transactions within the next 5 years (down from 73% in 1999).  And only one in fifty  people will be paid their wages in cash (1 in 8 in 1999).  What’s replacing it?  You guessed it! “Chip and Pin” technology, the ability to use contactless technology to pay for everyday items, particularly small purchases.  Got Blaze? You’ll be ready!

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By Amy, April 14, 2010 6:36 am

Since Blaze is on the go, just as you are, I thought it might be a good idea to share all the ways you can keep in touch with us - pick your favorite(s) and we’ll keep you up to date as we launch new features, talk about the industry and give you new, creative ways to use Blaze Mobile!

• Tweet, tweet.  Follow Blaze on Twitter.
• Become a fan on Facebook.
• Join our email newsletter.
• Subscribe to the blog
• Watch Blaze in action on YouTube

Most of all though, we’d like to hear from you - what do you like about Blaze? What feature request do you have? Keep in touch with us - you can DM us on Twitter, comment on Facebook, or email us.

Looking to download Blaze?  That’s easy too!

iPhone from iTunes

Blackberry & other phones from GetJar

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By Blaze Evangelist, April 12, 2010 5:43 am

We recently entered a montage of our video series into the US Chamber of Commerce Amercian Free Enterprise. Dream Big video contest. And now we need your help to win! How can you help?  It’s easy - the top 25 videos are eligible for the prize, so WATCH OUR BLAZE VIDEO and tell you friends!  Tweet it, share it on facebook, email it, and hurry because it ends April 16!

Watch the Blaze Video!

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By Blaze Evangelist, April 7, 2010 7:27 am

For many of you this week is either harried (your kids have no school, but you still have to work!?) or a welcome break from a hectic school year.  The Blaze Team is still working hard this week - no vacations here!  For those of you who do get to enjoy the week, we’ve got yet another way to enjoy the week with contactless payment.

The Great Wolf Lodge resort chain (there are 7 across the US) has rolled out RFID wristbands for guests.  Use them for everything at the park - from food & beverage concessions to opening your room door.  You can charge it to the room directly, or connect it with another credit card of your choice.

Best of all?  No need to carry credit cards or cash while tubing down the slip n’ slide!