Sony’s semi-smartwatch now has a smaller version and a leather strap with NFC — The Verge — “Sony is also launching a new leather strap in all three sizes — you lose the steel band’s notification functionality, but it still has NFC — and is starting to sell the steel band separately as well for people who want to mix and match… The Three Hands Square “head” and steel band will go on sale later this month, but the leather bands won’t be available until late December.”
NFC
Opal card implanted into Sydney man Meow-Meow could be deactivated by NSW authorities
Opal card implanted into Sydney man Meow-Meow could be deactivated by NSW authorities — ABC News — “Transport authorities in New South Wales have threatened to deactivate an Opal card that has been implanted in a Sydney man’s hand… ‘Transport for NSW does not support the tampering or damaging of Opal Cards, which would be a breach of the terms of use,’ they said.”
American Express goes live with Android Pay in Canada
AmEx cardholders in Canada are now able to make mobile payments using Android Pay, American Express has announced... More
A biometric ring could replace your passwords, cards and keys
A biometric ring could replace your passwords, cards and keys — Engadget — “With a fingerprint sensor on the inside, it can confirm that you’re the authorized user. Then, you slide on the ring, and an onboard IR optical sensor makes sure the device is still on your finger. As long as you have not taken it off, you can authorize transactions with a tap of your hand… Token transmits the authentication signal over NFC in most situations.”
Apple makes NFC tag reading available for beta testing
Members of the general public who sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program can now download a pre-release edition of iOS 11, the latest version of Apple’s operating system for iPhone and iPad which brings with it support for NFC tag reading... More
Sydney man has Opal card implanted into hand to make catching public transport easier
Sydney man has Opal card implanted into hand to make catching public transport easier — ABC News — “Bio-hacker Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow, his legal name, had the Opal near-field communication (NFC) chip cut down and encased in bio-compatible plastic, measuring 1 millimetre by 6 millimetres. He then had the device implanted just beneath the skin on the side of his left hand. “It gives me an ability that not everyone else has, so if someone stole my wallet I could still get home,” he said.”
Beijing subway launches smartphone version of travel card
Beijing subway launches smartphone version of travel card — ECNS — “Starting Monday, subway travelers in the Chinese capital with NFC-enabled phones can leave their physical travel card at home and use their smartphone instead, Beijing Municipal Administration and Communications Card (BMAC) said… Beijing subway said the mobile pass function does not support iPhone because of Apple’s restrictions.”
Brewery puts NFC tags in beer coasters in San Diego pub
Customers of US brewery Amplified Ale Works can now tap their NFC smartphones on beer coasters around the chain’s San Diego brewpub to go to a landing page where they can order Amplified beer online for home delivery... More
ABN Amro pilots wearable payments with select customers
A select group of ABN Amro customers has begun piloting payments using NFC-enabled rings supplied by Kerv and smartwatches... More
Antelop launches HCE SaaS solution to quicken time-to-market for banks
PARTNER NEWS: Antelop Solutions has unveiled a new Mastercard and Visa compatible software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform which allows banks to build HCE-based NFC mobile payments into their own apps more quickly... More
Swedish commuters validate tickets using NFC microchips implanted in their hands
Commuters travelling on trains run by Swedish transport operator SJ are trialling a system that lets them have their ticket validated using an NFC microchip implanted in their hand... More
Visa to roll out cashless experience at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017
Visa to roll out cashless experience at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 — Visa — “Alfa-Bank guests will also be able to use a payment ring for the first time at a FIFA event. The payment ring, attached to a prepaid card, features an embedded NFC-enabled antenna, enabling fans to tap to pay throughout Russia, anywhere contactless payments are accepted.”
SingPost to add 50,000 NFC tags to delivery and collection points for greater operational efficiency
Singapore’s postal service provider SingPost is rolling out 50,000 NFC tags to delivery and collection points across the island and is to equip 1,000 postmen with NFC smartphones to “raise postal service quality and improve operational efficiency”... More
French casino to give visitors and employees biometric cards for access and payments
Visitors and employees at the newly opened Pleinair Casino in Marseilles, France will soon be given a biometric smart card equipped with a fingerprint sensor that will enable them to gain access to privileged areas and make payments across the venue... More
Apple to enable NFC pairing on HomeKit smart home devices
Apple’s HomeKit smart home framework will soon support the use of NFC for accessory pairing, the iPhone maker has revealed... More
Citadele launches contactless mobile payments in Latvia
Citadele launches contactless mobile payments in Latvia — Citadele Bank — “Citadele’s mobile payment service is currently operable in a beta testing programme, where it is being used by Citadele employees and select client groups… Initially, mobile phone payments will be available on the Android operating system… Citadele will soon offer alternative mobile payment solutions for users of other mobile operating systems: bracelets and stickers with near field communication technology.”
Helixion technology goes up for sale following liquidation
The international patent and software portfolio belonging to NFC payments specialist Helixion is now up for sale as the company enters liquidation... More
NXP issues statement of support for NFC tag reading on Apple devices
PARTNER NEWS: NXP is “excited about the expanding number of users of NFC applications” following the announcement made by Apple earlier this week that it is to add support for NFC tag reading to its iPhone 7, 7 Plus and Apple Watch devices... More
World’s first car made from bio composites makes global debut
World’s first car made from bio composites makes global debut — Plastics Today — “To complement Lina’s sustainability, she is equipped with several high-tech features. For example, near field communication (NFC) technology implemented in her doors is used to detect and recognize different users, making the vehicle highly suited for car-sharing platforms.”
NXP supports launch of common mobile wallet platform across the UAE
PARTNER NEWS: NXP has joined Emcredit, a subsidiary of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), and payments solutions provider Cardtek to launch Empay, a common mobile wallet platform that will enable citizens across the United Arab Emirates to make retail payments, initiate money transfers and pay for government utilities using their NFC smartphone or wearable device... More