OPINION: While the steady stream of new NFC patent applications from Apple over the last few months has been interesting, it has been important to not get too excited — there’s a big difference between a company filing a patent application and actually building a new technology into its products. This week, however, everything has changed. More
Archive for April 2010
Netribe is a platform, not a phone, says Sagem Wireless
The new Sagem Netribe which we reported on earlier this week is not a specific phone, Sagem Wireless has now told NFC World... More
RIM ‘pinch to pay’ patent offers more control over NFC transactions
A patent application filed by Research in Motion uses touch sensors built into the sides of a phone to switch its NFC functionality on and off, with the aim of reducing consumers’ security and privacy concerns — and reducing drain on the handset’s battery. More
GSMA video shows NFC in action at the Mobile World Congress
The GSM Association has published a video news report on the NFC pilot conducted at the Mobile World Congress in February... More
iPay, iBuy and iCoupons? Latest patents show Apple has a clear business model for NFC-enabled mobile payments and promotions
A series of new patent applications demonstrate that Apple has a clear business model in place for the introduction of a comprehensive mobile payments, mobile commerce and mobile marketing business based around an NFC-enabled iPhone. More
Cassis opens up for business in the Americas, sees NFC market opportunities in Canada and US
Singapore-based trusted service management (TSM) specialist Cassis International has opened an office in New York, giving it a foothold in the American market for the first time... More
UK’s Dept for Transport reports on 18-month NFC ticketing project
The UK’s Department for Transport has published an in-depth report on the findings from an 18-month research project investigating the potential of NFC in transport ticketing... More
France’s Forum SMSC examines role of NFC in local government
A guide examining the role of near field communication in local government, produced by the French government-funded association Forum des Services Mobiles Sans Contact in November 2009, is now available in English... More
China Mobile may offer combined NFC and RF SIM services
China Mobile is considering adding support for NFC, as well as for its own RF SIM technology, to its mobile payments service, the company has told reporters... More
‘Leading semiconductor company’ licenses Innovision’s NFC handset technology
Innovision has signed a licensing deal with a “global leading semiconductor corporation” that will see the semiconductor supplier using Innovision’s NFC IP in its “range of chips targeted at mobile handsets and other consumer electronic products incorporating connectivity solutions.”... More
Sagem Wireless unveils NFC-enabled Android phone
UPDATED The Netribe is a touchscreen Android tablet phone that includes near field communication, biometrics and ‘brand-specific industrial design’, suggesting that, as with the company’s Puma phone, brands will be able to customise it to their needs. More
Transport for London buys Oyster brand name, plans extra services and move to mobile ticketing
“Oyster has the potential to be used for so much more than simply getting around the capital, and the technology is there to make it even more convenient for Londoners to use by integrating it into mobile phones or bank cards,” says the Mayor of London’s transport advisor. More
Apple to build mobile payments business around iTunes credits?
A further four patent applications filed by Apple and relating to both NFC and mobile payments have now been published, clearly signalling that the company’s interest in near field communication technology goes well beyond simply making it easier to sync devices — and suggesting that the company may have major plans to develop its own mobile payments business... More
New Apple patent shows NFC-enabled iPod, games controller, TV and iPhone
A newly published Apple patent application explains how near field communication could be used to enable a wide range of devices to share resources within a connected ‘Apple TV Living Room’. More