Two Google employees closely associated with its Google Wallet initiative have recently either left the company or moved on to other projects in a possible reflection of the challenges that Google is facing in the mobile payments space.

Mobile will play a big role for eBay as it migrates to an open ecommerce ecosystem that will enable developers to create new services and apps that enhance online and mobile shopping.

The advertising-supported Kindle 3G became Amazon’s bestselling ereader during the second quarter as the importance of digital content continues to grow for the online retailer.

PayPal’s introduction of a peer-to-peer near field communication solution for Android reflects the company’s commitment to mobile, as well as its ambitions to own a piece of in-store transactions.

EBay’s acquisition of mobile payments provider Zong brings complementary technology that will broaden PayPal’s reach and enable in-store transactions.

Zynga is looking to raise funds through an initial public offering so it can invest in driving further growth in mobile and in-game purchases.

Mobile transactions will continue to grow exponentially and are expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2015, according to a new study by Yankee Group.

Verizon Wireless and USA Technologies are teaming up to enable mobile payments at vending machines nationwide.

With Google, MasterCard and Citi reportedly teaming up to go head-to-head with the U.S. carriers’ Isis joint venture with Discover Card and Barclaycard, a war in the near field communication space is on the horizon.

The battle between Research In Motion and wireless carriers over mobile-payment data is a precursor to a larger war over who owns consumers making transactions using mobile devices.