Tag: nfc mobile payment

Broadcom sees promise in NFC technology

| November 21, 2012

 

Broadcom continues to show strong support for NFC technology

NFC technology has hit somethingnfc technology shows promise of a rough patch in the technology sector, especially in regards to its use in mobile commerce. Much of the mobile commerce industry has been built on NFC technology, but some technology companies, financial institutions, and consumers have expressed concerns over the security of NFC. In light of security concerns, some have begun moving away from NFC technology, hoping to find alternatives without having to abandon the mobile commerce industry. Others, however, continue to show strong support for NFC technology., Such is the case with Broadcom, a California-based chipmaker.

Nexus 4 popularity boosts interest surrounding NFC

Broadcom built the NFC chip and controller that is used in Google’s Nexus 4 mini-tablet device. The Nexus 4 launched earlier this month and Google has seen a great deal of interest for the product, especially in the UK market where stores have sold out of the device due to high demand. The device’s features have been widely praised, especially its use of NFC technology. Broadcom considers the popularity of the Nexus 4 a major win, suggesting that it is attracting more interest to NFC technology by showing off the capabilities of NFC.

Broadcom software freely available

Broadcom has now introduced its NFC software to the Android Open Source Project as well as to the Android 4.2 operating system. This has made the software widely available for anyone interested in using it — for free. Broadcom is well aware of the risks associated with making its NFC software freely available. The company notes that pushing NFC standards throughout the industries that use the technology is a top priority, however. By making its software available, Broadcom aims to help expedite the standardization of NFC technology.

NFC for more than just mobile commerce

NFC technology is widely used as a mobile commerce tool. The technology can allow mobile devices to make purchases in a way similar to credit cards. The technology also has uses beyond mobile commerce and has found some success in the marketing industry. NFC can also be used effectively as a form of wireless data transfer. Broadcom believes that its software can help establish standards in numerous industries that will ensure consumers have a positive experience with NFC technology.

NXP Semiconductors takes a swing at NFC technology

| November 6, 2012

 

NFC technology set for boost as new chips become available

NFC technology is becoming mNFC technologyore popular as more consumers get their hands on smart phones and other high-tech devices. The technology has helped establish mobile commerce, but it has also seen extensive use in advertising. Indeed, the technology is beginning to gain more attention for its uses beyond the mobile payment space, and integrated circuit manufacturer NXP Semiconductors is keen to ensure that businesses can make use of NFC technology in an efficient way.

New NFC chips could be a major boon to businesses

NXP Semiconductors has developed a new series of NFC chips that are meant to make serialization much simpler. These chips provide businesses with a URL “mirror,” which allows them to keep track of which NFC tags are actually being used and in what way. These NFC tags are typically to be used in advertising and information distribution. Being able to track the performance of these tags could be a major boon for companies that are looking to tune their engagement with mobile consumers.

Four new chips designed to meet the needs of businesses

The new NFC chips come in four varieties, all part of the NTAG21x chip family. These chips have varying features that are meant to appeal to different sectors of business. The NFC chips with low memory — NTAG210 — are meant to be affordable and appeal to companies that want to reach a large number of consumers in an efficient manner. Other chips are better suited to provide consumers with some type of service, such as remote access to a computer network. These NFC chips are currently only available as samples, but NXP Semiconductors has plans to deliver the chips to NFC manufacturers by the end of this year.

NFC technology gains momentum beyond mobile commerce

NFC technology is gaining momentum outside of mobile payments. If the technology can continue to prove popular amongst consumers, businesses are likely to continue showing interest in making use of the technology. For now, NFC technology is seeing the most use in the mobile commerce industry, where the technology enables smart phones and other mobile devices to make purchases for goods and services.