HTC Corporation has published financial results for the final quarter of 2013.

Quarterly revenue was NT$42.9 billion (£862 million), with quarterly net profit of NT$310 million (just over £6 million). The company made an operating loss of NT$1.6 billion (£32 million). All those figures are down from the same quarter in 2012.

Mobile technology distributor Brightstar says it’s completed its acquisition of European rival 20:20 Mobile. 20:20 was originally part of the Caudwell Group, along with Phones 4U.

Brightstar announced its plans last December after months of industry speculation.

Mark Bridge writes:

Mobile phones have been hitting the mainstream news over the past few days. There was Channel 4’s report about data on second-hand phones not being properly deleted before the handsets were re-sold, there was the latest round of the Smart UK Project and there was Tim Muffett’s story about the mobile-enabled high street on BBC Breakfast this morning.

The Smart UK project is an annual government-supported competition looking for the UK's Most Innovative Mobile Company.

A few days ago, all 20 companies on the competition shortlist gave a short presentation to the Smart UK panel of judges. Afterwards, Mark Bridge spoke to some of the entrants to discover exactly what they had to offer - and how they planned to disrupt the mobile industry.

Weve - the UK mobile payment and mobile advertising venture formed by EE, O2 and Vodafone - says it’s partnering with MasterCard to speed up the development of a contactless mobile payments system.

The new system will make it easier for banks to offer ‘tap and pay’ services to mobile phone users.