Tag: near field communications

Qualcomm introduces new NFC chip

| December 10, 2012

 

Mobile Commerce NFC ChipQualcomm continues to show strong support for NFC technology

Qualcomm, a leading developer of computer chips and mobile technology, has announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Atheros, has introduced a new NFC solution that could have promising implications for a wide range of mobile devices. Qualcomm has been showing increasing interest in NFC technology recently. The company recently upgraded its membership within the NFC Forum, a trade group working to provide standards for the use of NFC technology. The company sees a great deal of promise in NFC technology that extends well beyond mobile commerce.

NFC continues to be linked to mobile commerce

NFC technology is well known for establishing a strong foundation for mobile commerce. Indeed, most mobile commerce initiative rely heavily on the technology in order to facilitate business with consumers. The technology is capable of turning a mobile device into a payment platform, thus allowing consumers to participate in mobile commerce. NFC technology can be used for much more than mobile transactions, and Qualcomm has been working to make the technology available to other industries.

New chip offers promising features

Qualcomm Atheros has developed a new NFC solution that consumes much less energy than traditional NFC chips. The chip, called the QCA 1990, is compatible with most cutting edge mobile technologies and complies with the standards of the NFC Forum. The QCA 1990 is designed to consume as little energy as possible, thus it does not present any significant strain on the battery of a mobile device. Qualcomm notes that the chip will also help make wireless communications and data exchange more efficient. This includes mobile payments.

Chip to see limited use throughout 2013

Qualcomm plans to make the QCA 1990 available to a limited number of customers by the first quarter of 2013. This will help the company determine if any significant changes need to be done to the chip to prepare it for wider commercialization. By the third quarter of 2013, Qualcomm expects that the QCA 1990 will be in the hands of large companies around the world.

Tapestry brings NFC technology to the fashion industry

| December 1, 2012

 

NFC Technology FashionTapestry aims to bridge a gap with NFC technology

Fashion and technology are becoming increasingly entwined. The fashion industry has long sought to be on the cutting edge of every sector it is involved in and the advent of mobile technology may help push the industry into new territory. There are currently a wide variety of companies that combine fashion with digital technology, but a new startup in the United Kingdom called Tapestry aims to make use of NFC technology to connect consumers with actual products.

Application allows consumers to build virtual wardrobes

Tapestry offers a free mobile application for the Android and iOS platforms. This application aims to connect a consumer’s online identify with actual, physical products in stores they may be visiting. The application is equipped with a barcode scanner that will allow users to scan a variety of codes that will provide them with information on particular products. It also leverages NFC technology as a way to allow users to build a virtual wardrobe filled with products they may want to own.

Tapestry could be used as a personalized shopping channel

The application is meant to create a personalized mobile shopping channel for mobile consumers. Retailers may find the Tapestry application useful as it provides them with data concerning the interests of particular consumers and demographics. The platform also provide retailers with a way to provide these consumers with discounts and loyalty rewards, thus creating a dynamic connection between businesses and shoppers. Tapestry notes that the use of the application in this way could encourage consumers to add more products to their virtual wardrobes in order to receive more attention from retailers.

NFC technology gaining ground outside of mobile commerce

NFC technology is most often used in the field of mobile commerce, where it can facilitate mobile payments. The technology has been sparingly used in the field of marketing, but NFC is relatively rare in the fashion industry. Tapestry is one of the few applications outside of the mobile commerce sector that leverages NFC technology to connect with consumers in the fashion industry.