A newly published Apple patent application sets out a way for a virtual SIM card to be built into an embedded secure element which can, in turn, be attached to an NFC controller chip. More
Apple patents ‘SIM within’ secure element technology
Technology
NFC goes green: New ST chips use energy harvesting to replace the need for batteries
The new wireless memory chips harvest the energy generated from NFC and RFID actions to power up small devices so that a battery or other power supply no longer needs to be included. More
NFC Forum publishes peer-to-peer communications specification
The new SNEP specification employs the same NDEF commands used in tag reading and writing applications, allowing information stored on an NFC tag to be read by a phone and then passed on to other NFC phones or exchanged with a wide range of other types of NFC-enabled device. More
Microsoft picks NXP for NFC in Windows 8
“NXP has a deep understanding of NFC and we are working with them to deliver the right hardware, software and support to bring this technology to our partners, developers, and ultimately the consumer,” says the software giant’s Aidan Marcuss. More
PragmatIC demonstrates NFC label with built-in display
The flexible labels don’t need a battery and automatically light up or display information when they are read by an NFC phone. More
Samsung launches Bada 2.0 SDK with NFC
A software development kit for the new version of the handset maker’s operating system, which includes support for NFC tag reading and writing, is now available to download. More
NFC news in brief • 23 August 2011
News in brief from the NFC world and beyond: First Android 4 phone could come in October • Rogers planning NFC launch? • Tags stores take off • Jiepang eyes mobile commerce • Tagstar shields tags • BlackBerry NFC delay • Turkcell tests tickets • Vivotech adds NFC POS terminal • and more… More
Cirque adds NFC to touch panels
The capacitive sensing technology specialist has integrated an NFC antenna into its trackpad and touch panel modules, enabling a single input device to be used for both NFC and touch interactions. More
New production process could cut cost of NFC tags to “just a few cents”
A new production process developed by a UK startup could reduce the cost of NFC tags to significantly under five cents a unit, making it practical for tags to be used in a wide array of new application areas. More
NFC phones to get biometric security support
NXP, AuthenTec and DeviceFidelity have announced they are developing reference designs for Android NFC phones that will ensure a mobile payment can only be made after the user has proved their identity by swiping their finger across a biometric sensor built into the handset. More
Mozilla plans NFC support for new mobile operating system
The Mozilla Foundation, responsible for the development of the Firefox open source browser, has announced plans for Boot to Gecko, a new open source operating system designed specifically for mobile phones and tablets... More
Apple gets patent for adding NFC to metal displays
Apple has been granted a patent covering the addition of an NFC antenna to electronic devices such as computer monitors where standard methods of integrating NFC may cause problems generating a sufficiently robust signal strength... More
Geo RTD links NFC to sat nav and mapping apps
The new tag data format will allow NFC phone users to access location-based information without having to go online. More
NFC news in brief • 23 May 2011
News in brief from the NFC world and beyond: Twitter and Docomo add ‘touch and follow’ • Doubletwist shares songs with NFC • Airtag offers P2P loyalty • Lifera and Taztag tie up • Lockitron opens doors with NFC • DPT unveils NFC-enabled car park pay machine • SK C&C USA rebrands as CorFire • Bayer puts antennas into decorative films • Mobey Forum expands • and much more… More
NFC indoor navigation system proposed by Turkish scientists
The concept combines NFC tags placed at strategic points around a building, GPS and a downloadable layout app to guide visitors all the way from their home or office to a particular room, aisle or store. More
Google raises concerns over the viability of NFC card emulation mode for mobile payments
“I’d love to see peer-to-peer used for payment,” Google’s Nick Pelly told a packed audience at the I/O conference’s ‘How to NFC’ session, as he responded to questions regarding the future of mobile payments on Android devices. More
Verayo hires former PayPal mobile chief for move into NFC security market
Verayo has announced the appointment of Eric Duprat, former general manager of mobile at PayPal, as its chief executive officer as it seeks to bring its ‘silicon biometrics’ technology to market... More
Seibersdorf adds NFC to textiles
The Austrian R&D company’s new textile tags use an antenna that can be woven into fabrics during manufacture, opening up a new market where NFC phones can be used to interact with fashion garments, workwear and a host of other new applications. More
NFC news in brief • 18 April 2011
News in brief from the NFC world and beyond: NFC football shirts • EMVCo’s new specs • Contactless business cards • Expo visitors win with NFC • One in five smartphones to have NFC by 2014 • Smartphone users ‘uninterested in location-based services’ • Visa’s Australian NFC trial ends • and more… More
SIMalliance Open Mobile API provides access to secure elements
Trade association SIMalliance has unveiled a specification for a standardised API which will improve the security of mobile phones and tablet computers, reducing the threat of identity theft... More