MasterCard introduced Mobile Payments Gateway, a mobile payments processing platform, in Brazil on November 16. The service gives consumers the ability to use their phones as payment devices and link their existing credit, debit or prepaid MasterCard accounts to fund mobile payments.

Google has acquired Gizmo5, a company that makes software for Internet-based calling on mobile phones and computers.

Yahoo launched Yahoo Mobile en Español, a Spanish-language mobile homepage customized for the US Spanish-speaking consumer, on November 12. Yahoo plans to work with advertisers to sell display and mobile search ads on the site.

Outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops has tapped mobile commerce and marketing firm Transaction Wireless to create its first mobile gift card program, which will go live in next year's first quarter. When the mobile program launches next year, consumers will be able to customize online gift cards by incorporating personalized text, videos and voice messages.

Digital out-of-home media spending in the US will increase 2% year-over-year to $2.47 billion for 2009, according to a study by PQ Media released this week. However, that growth is muted compared to recent years: In 2008, the segment grew 9.2%; and in 2007, it expanded by 24.3%.

Hilton Worldwide will launch iPhone and iPod Touch applications for seven of its hotel chains by the end of this year. It is the first time the company has used the channel in the US. The free apps for the Hilton and DoubleTree brands launched November 10.

Toyota Motor Sales USA has released an iPhone application to promote its 2010 model of the Toyota Prius hybrid.

Mobile commerce provider Digby announced the acquisition of mobile software company Movaya Wireless on November 4. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Stanley Wang, Movaya co-founder and CTO, has joined Digby as VP of engineering.

USA Today has released an iPhone application aimed at travelers. The AutoPilot app includes travel content and booking tools.

Direct mail coupon veteran Valpak is bringing its brand of local offers to the iPhone, introducing an app as the company pushes to become more digital.