Dec 6, 2010 10:33 GMT  ·  By

Google's Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system is almost here, and the upcoming launch of the NFC Forum Certification Program seems set to confirm that. While the Mountain View-based internet Giant is expected to announce the new OS iteration today, the certification program would be launched only tomorrow, the NFC Forum announced. Support for Near Field Communication (NFC) is one of the main features that Android 2.3 Gingerbread would arrive on the market with.

And since the OS version might be launched today, the handsets that would sport it would require NFC certification, and the official details on this might be unveiled no later than tomorrow, it seems.

During a Press Conference at Cartes 2010 in Paris on December 7, 2010, the Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum is set to announce officially the launch of the NFC Forum Certification Program.

The program was meant to offer “device manufacturers a means of establishing their products' compliance with the NFC Forum's technical specifications.”

Moreover, the program should prove beneficial for end-users and services providers as well, as it would ensure that products are interoperable with devices.

“For service providers and consumers, the Certification Program offers increased assurance that NFC Forum-certified products are interoperable with NFC Forum-certified devices,” the NFC Forum announced via a press release.

“Only companies whose products pass certification testing will be able to display the N-Mark, the universal symbol for NFC, which tells consumers where to touch to initiate NFC services on a device.”

In addition to launching the program, the NFC Forum is also set to celebrate the publishing of new technical specifications.

“These specifications further define the modular architecture and interoperability parameters for NFC devices and protocols. They work hand-in-hand with the new program to clear the way for developers to bring more globally interoperable NFC solutions to market,” the announcement reads.

Koichi Tagawa, NFC Forum Chairman; Mohamed Awad, NFC Forum Board member; Matt Ronning, NFC Forum Compliance Committee Chair; and Paula Berger, NFC Forum Executive Director should take the stage at the conference.

The event is set to take place at Cartes Paris-Nord Villipinte Exhibition Centre, Hall 6, Room 613, on Tuesday, 7 December 2010, 16:00-18:00 CET. Those interested in registering for the conference should head here.