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VeriSign, the folks that tend to secure your internet checkouts, announced a deal to enable purchases at Coca-Cola vending machines via mobile phones in Austria.  Now, over two million mobilkom austria and ONE wireless customers have access to the mobile payment function at vending machines across Austria.

VeriSign developed the technical interface between Coca-Cola machines, cellular operators and the payment system for the more than 100 beverage vending machines around Austria enabled for mobile payment.

According to the Yankee Group, the global revenue for off-deck mobile payment transactions will increase by more than 100% from 2005 to 2009, while the user base will expand from 65.5 million to 178.8 million. Paying via mobile phone has already achieved some success in Europe and Asia as mobile devices become more powerful and consumers use electronic payments for more transactions.

So how long before you will buy a Coke with your cellphone? Or even a car?

Read [VeriSign]

Motorolais joining the Zoom club as the first mobile device manufacturer to offer its products to consumers via robotic retail stores vending machines.

These robotic stores will be branded “INSTANTMOTO”, and are expected to be deployed in approximately 20 locations nationwide from airports to malls by November 2006. The stores will house more than 25 Motorola products including carrier-ready MOTORAZR handsets, Bluetooth headsets, cordless phones, car chargers and more. Currently these vending systems are in the San Francisco International Airport and Macy’s on State Street, in addition to more locations across the country.

Motorola is testing this new automated vending format as a way to directly connect with consumers in places and at times where convenience is needed most. Now tell me, when do you all of a sudden just need a cellphone?

Macy’s plans to install iPod/PSP/electronic device vending machines by Zoom Systems, called Zoom @ Macy’s. We first saw this system at the Las Vegas Hilton, at CES, where it garnered a lot of chatter and snapshots. This is certainly the easiest way for Macy’s to hop on the electronics bandwagon without too much risk or employee training. Expect to see 180 of thee popping around the country.

Read [Gear Live]