Wearable payments

Mastercard has formed a strategic partnership with Tappy Technologies, a Hong Kong-based internet of things firm, to develop designer branded contactless payments-enabled wearables, starting with Timex.

Google's $2.1 billion deal to buy Fitbit is primarily a hardware play. But it also brings Fitbit Pay under Google's umbrella — potentially repairing part of Google's fragmented mobile and wearable payments ecosystem.

Barclays has jumped on a huge range of technology that brings payments closer to myriad activities, but as competition looms, the bank is working to better organize its projects.

As new stadiums are being launched across a variety of sports around the globe with the latest entertainment options, older stadiums are using technology and premium culinary offerings to stay competitive and keep their fans engaged.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has added Apple Watch capabilities to its CashPro Mobile app, so business customers may approve corporate payments on the go.

Payments wearables have run the gamut from gloves, to sports jerseys, sunglasses and more, but there possibly hasn't been one as eye-catching as a diamond-encrusted bracelet.

E-money provider Prepaid Financial Services has partnered with Garmin International for its digital prepaid cards to operate in the U.K. on compatible Garmin Pay smartwatches.

While the payment volume from smart wearable devices may not have achieved the initial euphoric predictions, things are about to change for the better as several market dynamics have shifted.

Shari Van Cleave, head of digital labs at the bank, discusses customer-facing technology it's testing, including wearables and the so-called internet of things.

Apple's recent smartphone revenue decline contrasts with strength in wearables and services, making these alternative venues increasingly important to Apple Pay's continued success.