Qualcomm throws sponsorship behind AllJoyn contest

AllJoyn aims to spark innovation in NFC applications

Prolific technology company Qualcomm has been revealed as a sponsor in the AllJoyn app contest, which is part of the company’s continuing campaign to spark innovation in the world of mobile applications. The contest tasks app developed to create new software using the AllJoyn platform, an open-source framework that allows for peer-to-peer interaction. Qualcomm has sponsored the contest with $170,000, which will be awarded to the developer that creates the most innovative mobile application for the competition.

AllJoyn platform provides framework for NFC apps

The AllJoyn platform facilitates device-to-device communications through the use of NFC technology. As part of the competition, app developers are encouraged to create new applications that make use of NFC technology is some way. The most common use of NFC technology lies in the realm of mobile commerce, where the technology is often used to facilitate transactions. NFC has seen some use in marketing, but Qualcomm is eager to see the boundaries of the technology pushed beyond its conventional uses.

NFC holds potential as data transfer mechanism

NFC technology holds a great deal of potential for wireless data transfer. Some companies have been using the technology to allow consumers to control electronic appliances without having to physically touch them. NFC chips have also been used to memorize the personal preferences of a consumer, thus activating an electronic device according to the parameters established by a consumer when the chip is activated by a mobile device. Qualcomm expects to see a wide variety of NFC-based applications come from the AllJoyn competition.

Availability of NFC-enabled devices still low

One of the largest problems facing NFC technology is the relative scarcity of NFC-enabled mobile devices. Telecommunications companies are eager to introduce new smart phones with NFC capabilities in order to capitalize on the booming interest surrounding mobile commerce, but the majority of these products are not expected to be released very soon. Without NFC-enabled mobile devices, the use of NFC applications is expected to be severely limited.