Big changes are coming to moneto, the first multi-platform NFC-based mobile payment service for both iPhone and Android devices. Moneto was launched by Richardson, Texas-based DeviceFidelity earlier this year. It lets users make contactless mobile payments wherever MasterCard PayPass payments are accepted. The solution offers a prepaid account provided through TransCard and uses a microSD card to hold the account credentials. The NFC technologies are provided either by an antenna sticker on Android devices or with a special protective case for iPhones.

The problem for existing moneto users is that DeviceFidelity shut down accounts earlier this month. Now the company said it is relaunching and upgrading the service, providing additional features, more handset support and reduced pricing.

"We're excited to release the enhanced moneto mobile service," said Youri Bebic, DeviceFidelity's general manager for moneto programs. "We've made the program smarter and more feature-rich to ensure we give our customer base what they want."

Bebic said the moneto solution is fundamentally customer-focused and the company is responding to the marketplace.

One of the new features available through moneto is free person-to-person fund transfers. DeviceFidelity said the new "Money Move" feature is available to both iPhone and Android users and allows the instant movement of money from one moneto cardholder to another.

Android users will have more storage with the new version of moneto. The microSD card holds 4GB of data. The new moneto mobile wallet for Android also includes support for several additional devices, including the Samsung Galaxy SII, Samsung Infuse 4G and the HTC Sensation 4G. DeviceFidelity said the additional support means millions of users can now access NFC on their phone for mobile payments.

For iPhones, the SD card is housed in a protective case. Not only does the case allow access to all of the moneto mobile wallet features, but one available model also doubles as a power source with a built-in battery backup.

DeviceFidelity said it is lowering the monthly fees for the moneto service as well. Instead of $4.95 per month, users of the moneto prepaid account will pay only $2.95. The cases cost $79.95 for the extended battery version and $59.95 for the regular case. The Android version costs $29.95 for the 4GB microSD card and the NFC antenna sticker applicator.

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