Both YottaMark and FoodLogiq offer systems that let shoppers type a text code into a mobile phone or home computer, or scan a bar-code using a phone's built-in camera, to find out when the tomatoes on the shelf were picked and which field they came from.

ECONOMIST: Tech.view

While its direct competitor, the Nokia 8210 series, was intended as a stylish high-end phone, it uses a forgettable bar form-factor with interchangeable covers just like many of its contemporaries.

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We don't see any major surprises in specs -- there's a dual-core Tegra 2 1GHz processor, 4.3-inch qHD screen, 8MP rear camera, and 1080p HDMI-out video, to list off the highlights -- although we are excited to see Gingerbread may be in the mix here, indicated by the ever-so-subtle blue bar seen on the phone's screen.

ENGADGET: Motorola Droid X2 ready for May 26 launch?

Some of them rely on technology other than NFC, such as offering services that let people pay for purchases by sending text messages or by scanning product bar codes using a phone's QR-code reader.

WSJ: What's in Your Mobile Wallet? Not Much

Wednesday's team announcement did lay to rest a few worries which had come to the surface when Jeremy Guscott was spotted in the Brewery bar with a mobile phone glued to his ear - although there was some scepticism, the possibility that Guscott was being called up to replace BOD couldn't entirely be discounted given Sir Clive's somewhat erratic selection policy.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | Lions in NZ | Tour Blog | Lions in NZ tour blog

At 4.28 inches long, 2.29 inches wide and .93 inches thick, the 4.5 ounce phone is a little bigger than many candy bar-shaped models.

FORBES: A Nokia Smartphone With An Edge

She cheered me on from 500 miles away for my first race (calming me down over the phone for my pre-race panic) and talked me through my bar exam jitters.

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