Amazon said to be considering NFC-based mobile payment service

As you may be aware, Amazon does actually already make it easier for you to shop at places other than Amazon.com with its Amazon Payments service, and it now looks like it might even be thinking about expanding things to brick and mortar stores as well. More specifically,Bloomberg is reporting that Amazon is exploring a mobile payment service based on NFC technology, which would let you pay for items and receive things like loyalty points using nothing other than an NFC-equipped cellphone. Not surprisingly, Amazon is also said to be considering some other features that would send folks back to Amazon.com -- Bloomberg gives the example of someone shopping for jeans in a retail store who can't find the right size, and says that they could simply scan the jean's tag to order a pair online. Details are otherwise a bit light, and the service is apparently still not quite a sure thing, although a person familiar with the matter says Amazon will decide whether to go forward with it or not "in the next three to five months."

Sony CEO casually mentions he's supplying cameras to Apple

Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer reportedly let slip that his company is producing camera for the next batch of iPhones and iPads during a public interview with the Wall Street Journal. Traditionally, Apple's sourced its sensors from OmniVision, including the delightfully backside-illuminated 5 megapixel CMOS unit you'll find in the iPhone 4, but since Sony too has BSI tech and OmniVision has reportedly encountered delays, your next portable Apple product might house a Sony Exmor R sensor like the one we admired on the Xperia Arc. Mind you, that may not end up actually happening, because of the context in which Sir Howard revealed the news -- according to 9 to 5 Mac, he said that the factory producing sensors for Apple was affected by the Japanese tsunami. Oh well.

Android's in-app billing makes a dent: Dungeon Defenders free on Android Market

Dungeon Defenders: First Wave cost $3 when it first came out. This week, the iOS version will cost you ninety-nine cents. But if you want to play the Unreal Engine-powered tower defense game today, you can have it for free -- developer Trendy Entertainment is now leaning on Android's new in-app billing systemto pay for the whole thing. We can't give Trendy all the credit, of course, as Glu Mobile's Gun Bros and Tapulous' Tap Tap Revenge 4 are doing the same thing, but to our knowledge both of them were free to play from day one. Free-to-play gaming has been a controversial proposition in the console and PC gaming space -- most publishers would just like to sell a game once, and call it a day. On phone, however, where apps are expected to be cheap, it could indeed make more sense to charge users for items and upgrades than to have users "buy" the game. Either way, we penny-pinchers are pleased as punch with the idea.

Spice Mobile's Popkorn handset touts built-in projector, 1080p unlikely

We're big fans of new kit splashing down close to home, but there's a certain intrigue attached to handsets hailing from faraway locales. So when a loyal reader tipped us off to Spice Mobile's M-9000 Popkorn, a candybar phone from India featuring a built-in projector, we understandably took notice. Originating from the land of saffron for 6,900 rupees (approximately $158), its showcase feature allows users to project broadcast television onto the wall -- not exactly an ideal TV replacement, but it'd do in a pinch. Additionally, designers integrated live and scheduled recording of FM radio for those who'd rather listen in. Conversely, the M-9000 is a woefully dated phone, held back in the ages of analog TV, GPRS and Edge networks. No specs were noted on the projector's resolution, though given an internal 2.4-inch display at 320 x 240, we speculate its splay is one only Mr. Blurrycam could appreciate. Much like India itself, the Popkorn is an apt representation of the past and future, held together as one. Perhaps that's why we feel such fond sentiment for this little guy -- check out Spice's entire portfolio at the source.

Leaked K-Touch W700 bringing Tegra 2 to China Unicom, abandons hope of affordability

Chinese phone manufacturer K-Touch has set out to prove domestic manufacturers are not solely KIRF in their intentions. Taking a huge leap into the high end, China Unicom's WO network will soon be graced with the W700, a Tegra 2 beast that's certain to instigate a double-take at China's design ambitions. As for specs, look for a 3.8-inch, 480 x 800 capacitive screen, 5 megapixel shooter on the back, (0.3 megapixel up front), and 512MB of memory keeping everything in check. K-Touch has previously dipped its toes into Android's currents with its more pedestrian W606, but this appears its first attempt a Froyo release. This powerful slab is set to retail for HK$4,200, or approximately $540 in actual money. Looks like theOptimus 2X is finally getting the company it deserves, eh?

HTC invites journalists to 'see what's next' on April 12th

 Good old HTC is cooking up a little somethin' somethin' for an April 12th launch in London town, for an event kicking off at 1.30PM BST or 8.30AM EST. While consulting our solar calendars, we noticed that's when Microsoft's MIX 2011 developer gathering is also getting started, but we're sure it's just a coincidence and HTC isn't about to spring a battery of new Windows Phone 7 devices on us. In fact, if you stare at the invite's image long enough, you might just convince yourself you're looking at a bulging smartphone screen, which could indicate we're talking about the EVO 3D's European launch. You never know with these things. Whatever happens, we'd advise circling the date and making sure your popcorn supplies aren't running low.

redsn0w untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.1 released for Windows and OS X, lacks iPad 2 support

If you've been waiting for a nice, easy jailbreak solution for iOS 4.3.1, then today's your lucky day: Dev-Team's just released redsn0w 0.9.6rc9 for both Windows and OS X, allowing us mere mortals to free our supported devices -- iPhone 3GS, 4 (GSM); iPod touch 3G, 4G; iPad 1; and Apple TV 2G -- with a few simple clicks. Alas, there are a couple of caveats: the iPad 2 isn't supported here, as Cupertino has somehow managed to tighten up its security to fend off hackers (for now); and ultrasn0w users have also been told to hang tight until there's a compatibility fix -- Dev-Team will announce on Twitter when this becomes available. As for those who are eligible for this new jailbreak, head over to Dev-Team's website for the download links, and make sure you have the corresponding IPSW files handy as well -- you can find them over at iClarified or on your favorite search engine.

HTC's Thunderbolt beset with video capture porblems

Uh oh, sounds like HTC's Thunderbolt has struck yet another stumbling block on its path to glory. Forums dedicated to the superphone are now rife with frustration of inconsistent audio capture when using its bundled video recorder, and apparently, the rally cry was vociferous enough to warrant a response from HTC itself. Users of first-gen technology are likely familiar with the line, but word is it's aware of the issue and working to release a software update to remedy the nasties. In the meantime, if uploading your macaw's cover of 'Friday' is a priority for you, don't go to crankytown just yet -- we hear there's a whole world of third-party cappers to explore.

Microsoft application creates 3D model using a cellphone

Using your smartphone to take regular, or heck, even 3D images, is so last-gen -- thanks to Microsoft'sInteractive Visual Media Group, we shall soon be able to use its new app to generate virtual 3D models. For example, if you want to capture that Ferrari on your neighbor's driveway, you'll need to circumambulate it while shooting around 40 photos. The final product, which is compiled using some beefed up PhotoSynth magic as each shot is uploaded to the cloud, is a beautifully crafted 3D model that can be panned around surprisingly smoothly. Hit play on the video below to feast your eyes on Redmond's new trick.

Avaak Vue Gen 2 wire-free video monitoring

Peeping Toms and would-be spies, rejoice! The Vue wire-free video cameras have reached the second generation and now add motion detection and a more rugged outdoor version to the mix. Pricing is a mixed bag: kits start at $199 and include a motion detection camera, the base station, and the mounting base. Extra cams can be had for $159 for an individual outdoor camera with motion detection, indoor camera with motion detection is $129, and a run of the mill indoor camera is $99. The brilliant bit here is this is pretty much a zero setup affair: attach the cameras to the included magnetic mounts (with adhesive, no less), fire up the base station, and off you go. As with many devices launched recently, mobile apps are key, and the Vue's apps are a decent bunch. We had a peek at both the BlackBerry and iPhone flavors -- Android is also supported -- and either will allow video from the remote cameras to be recorded, some small amount of zoom and pan, grab screen shots, and have a peek at all your cameras at once. The required online service to manage it all is free for the first year and $19.95 per year after; you can keep opting for the free version after the first year, but lose the mobile app support, pan / zoom, and all recording features.