Customers can ring up purchases with phones

As it is, you don’t leave home without it. In a world of cashless payment, why not simply make your cell phone a wallet?

Japan has long been phasing out the hassle of coins and bills with microchip-laden “smart cards,” which let people make electronic payments for everything from lunch to the daily commute.

But even smart cards could be on their way out, their plastic presence overtaken by virtual-wallet technology now available in the cell phone.

A series of phones going on sale this summer in Japan, for use on NTT DoCoMo’s wireless network, are the world’s first with an embedded computer chip that you can fill up with electronic cash.

Above, a special machine attached to one of the game machines at a game center blinks a light when it acknowledges the NTT DoCoMo’s new wallet phone, P506iC, in Tokyo. By putting the mobile phone to the Edy card machine, customers can start playing the game.

Tramco founder to speak at Lawrence breakfast

Leon Trammell, founder of Tramco, will be the guest speaker at the Kansas International breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 6 at Alvamar Country Club, 1809 Crossgate Drive.

Tramco, which provides service for grain elevators and feed mills, has $20 million in annual sales with machines in 50 states and 45 countries.

Cost for the seminar is $15, $10 for students. To make reservations, call 865-4427, fax 865-4400 or e-mail tjohnson@lawrencechamber.com.

Motley Fool: Name that company

Founded in 1889 and employing about 8,000 people today, I’m the world leader in the making, marketing and distribution of spices, seasonings and flavors to the entire food industry. One of my brand names is Zatarain’s. My industrial division serves most of the top 100 food processors, restaurant chains, distributors and warehouse clubs, offering spices, blended seasonings, condiments, coatings and compound flavors. My name may not be on many packages, but my products are in a wide range of snack foods, savory side dishes, desserts, beverages, confectionery items, cereals, baked goods and more. Who am I?