Author archive: Paula Berger

NXP has introduced a multi-protocol, NFC-ready contactless transceiver chip that can be used in a wide range of banking, e-government, transport and mobile payment terminals and other devices. The CLRC663 supports all 13.56MHz contactless standards... More

RIM has now added support for NFC peer-to-peer applications with the release of the software development kit for the BlackBerry 7.1 operating system. The NFC peer-to-peer API allows applications to share larger files and other data through NFC-initiated communication which is then handed over to Bluetooth. Use cases include starting multiplayer games by tapping two handsets together.

"With our unique kit, vendors and card issuers will now be able to see for themselves how NFC contactless payments will impact on their customers," says Proxama CEO Neil Garner. More

Giesecke & Devrient has received MasterCard certification for its trusted service manager (TSM) hub in Toronto, Canada. The site handles G&D's NFC application management and provisioning business throughout North America. The company's TSM facility in Munich, Germany received MasterCard certification in 2009. G&D says it is currently preparing multiple commercial NFC roll-outs at both sites.

Visa Europe is moving to contactless payments for the vending machines in its UK offices after a six month trial conducted with vending specialist Vianet in which a dozen machines recorded more than 10,000 contactless transactions. The machines are fitted with a reader on the front so customers can wave and pay. "We believe that there is a significant opportunity for contactless in the vending industry and we look forward to seeing wider deployment of contactless technology," commented Visa.

Telefonica Czech Republic has launched the final phase of its two-year NFC trial in the city of Pilsen. For six months, fifty users will test a fully-featured Pilsen city card held in a SIM-based mobile... More

Three NFC products have picked up Sesame awards at the Cartes trade show in Paris. NXP won the software category with its open source NFC host software stack for Android. The chipmaker also picked up the prize for the best mobility application with its PN65 integrated NFC controller and secure element. HID Global was also a winner, with its iClass SE secure identity platform taking the trusted internet and authentication category.

Australian NFC marketer Tapit is using the technology to promote a scratch card game for SA Lotteries. Players can enter to win A$5,000 by tapping an NFC tag or reading a QR code on smart posters on phone booths in five locations in Adelaide. The contest provides the lottery company with contact information for consumers interested in winning prizes. "This campaign highlights the benefits of yet another commercial use of NFC to build customer interaction and engagement in a simple way," says Tapit's Andrew Davis.

Citizens living in the eastern Indian state of Bihar are to be issued with contactless 'e-Shakti' cards they can use to access virtual bank branches equipped with NFC technology. More

Shanghai COS Software (SCS), a Chinese chip operating system developer, has joined smart card standards association GlobalPlatform as an observer member. The association commented, "As an expert in secure chip-based application development, we welcome Shanghai COS to the organisation and look forward to benefiting from the wealth of knowledge it brings from extensive research and development activities in this area."

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has announced two new NFC-enabled handsets, bringing its range of NFC phones to eight devices. More

Swedish mobile operators Telia, Tele2, Telenor and 3 have formed a mobile payments joint venture. The new company plans to launch a mobile wallet by mid-2012 which will allow Swedes to pay for services such as public transportation and parking. All operators will offer the same product, making it easier for customers to switch providers.

Sony and secure identity specialist HID Global have launched a contactless smart card reader platform that can add NFC and secure access control to laptop PCs and other mobile devices. The design includes a secure... More

The mobile network operators have signed up to support and implement SIM-based NFC in a move the GSMA says will "promote the global interoperability of services and accelerate time-to-market". More

VeriFone has acquired electronic payments specialist Point International from Nordic Capital for €600m (US$812m) as the POS terminal maker accelerates its transition to a managed services revenue model. Stockholm-based Point provides a range of services... More

French bank Credit Agricole is launching a contactless payment trial in Caen. The bank will provide 200 iPhone users with a phone case from Device Fidelity containing a microSD-based NFC solution. Triallists will be able to use a Visa-provided secure payment application to make purchases of up to €20 (US$27) from merchants accepting Visa contactless payments.

Transit systems specialist Ecebs has joined the OSPT Alliance as a full member and will promote the alliance's Cipurse standard for secure transit fare collection solutions. The company's Stephen McSpadden commented, "The Cipurse open standard provides the advanced security capabilities needed for today and tomorrow's transit solutions, as well as the flexibility to deliver elegant, efficient products for global use."

Sony has announced the FeliCa Lite-S chip, a smaller, faster and more secure update to its low cost FeliCa Lite chip for NFC tags and stickers. The new chip improves security by introducing a "write... More

Label manufacturer MPI has added NFC tags to its RFID product line. Shauna Bardo, general manager for RFID, says, "NFC tags provide opportunity for companies to present their promotional items and new product launches with added depth in sales analysis. It also gives consumers a new dimension in product interaction." MPI Label Systems employs more than 550 staff at nine manufacturing facilities and 35 sales offices across the US.

Retailers Sears and Kmart are selling toys through QR-coded 'shopping walls' this holiday season. Customers with smartphones can scan the quick response (QR) codes on advertising posters to find product information and make purchases of... More