The Social Payment

Mobile Payment Solutions Go Head-to-Head

The wallet is an endangered species. The last several weeks have seen a flood of new electronic payments announcements from new and established players, all of which want to be the first to replace the need to carry cards and cash.

The race includes some of the nation's biggest banks and mobile phone operators, as well as a Twitter co-founder and the world's most famous search engine. And don't forget the company that defined the online personal payments space, PayPal.

Whether through smartphone-based near field communications transactions or person-to-person payments that add a mobile or email-based element, the new solutions seek to change the way people are spending and receiving their money. The following gallery breaks down several of the game changing new ways to pay. See what each can (and can't) do.

Start Gallery.