The total number of NFC-enabled phones shipped globally hit 35 million units in 2011 and is expected to reach 80 million by the end of 2012, according to a new report from IMS Research. IMS contributes the growth to “significant market events” coupled with manufacturers adopting NFC in more mobile handsets. “After seven or so […]

STMicroelectronics developed a new RF testing method that uses electromagnetic waves instead of contact probes to remotely evaluate wafers equipped with RFID ICs. According to ST, this “contactless” approach results in higher yields, shorter testing times and lower product cost. In addition, contactless testing allows RF circuits to be tested under conditions that are close […]

Interactive Health Technologies, an Austin, Texas-based provider of digital fitness systems, has added NFC technology from Sony to its Spirit System school fitness program. Now available to schools across America, Spirit System enables schools to track students’ physical activity and fitness progress through NFC-enabled Spirit Heart Rate Monitor devices equipped with Sony NFC Dynamic Tag […]

EMVCo, the EMV standards body owned by American Express, JCB, MasterCard and Visa, has published a new white paper on its work to securely standardize the deployment of contactless mobile payments. Free to download from EMVCo’s Web site, the document is intended for all stakeholders working to deliver contactless mobile payments – particularly those that […]

Research In Motion (RIM) has partnered with Tapit, a Sydney based NFC marketing company, to launch a campaign in Australia that uses NFC-enabled posters and tokens to share content for BlackBerry users. RIM’s street team is now handing out the posters and tokens, which can be tapped with an NFC-enabled BlackBerry handsets to instantly receive […]

Mobile forensics and security firm viaForensics has picked apart Google Wallet and found that while generally secure, the app leaves too much information unencrypted. “While Google Wallet does a decent job securing your full credit cards numbers, the amount of data that Google Wallet stores unencrypted on the device is significant (pretty much everything except […]

After nearly ten years and over €55 million, Dublin’s “Leap” transit card has finally hit the market, reports Herald.ie. The contactless smart card is now available for use on Dublin Buss, Luas, Dart and commuter rail lines around the capital. Rather than having to buy separate tickets or pay with cash, Dublin commuters now can […]

Windows’ latest 7.5 mobile operating system features support for NFC but it will be up to the equipment manufacturers whether or not to enable the technology, reports SlashGear. As of yet, no phone manufacturer has released a Windows 7 handset with NFC, but this is expected to change, according to Will Coleman, product manager at […]

Google is looking to bring its contactless mobile payments service to the UK in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics, according to eWeek Europe. Google Wallet, which enables customers to pay, redeem coupons and earn loyalty points all with a single tap of an NFC-enabled phone, could be tested in the UK as early as […]

Gemalto has announced that its “Allynis” Trusted Service Manager (TSM) solution has been selected to securely manage transactions on the Isis mobile commerce platform. Isis, the mobile commerce joint venture between Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, will enable U.S. customers to pay, present loyalty cards, and redeem coupons all with a tap of their NFC-enabled phones. […]