14 DAY TRIAL // As NFC technology is showing more and more of its potential, handset manufacturers are starting to show interest in developing devices or technologies that could complement and enhance the new mobile payments concept.
In this regard, Samsung Electronics has just announced that it has developed a new near field communications (NFC) chip with embedded flash memory.
The announcement follows the Singaporean NFC mobile payment tests scheduled for December 2010.
“NFC is recognized throughout the industry as an easy and effective way to transmit encrypted information between mobile devices or between mobile devices and other stationary NFC-enabled devices such as kiosks,” said Tae-Hoon Kim, vice president of DDI and C&M marketing, System LSI Division, Samsung Electronics.
“As momentum builds for adoption of NFC technology in next-generation/ upcoming smart phones, we look forward to securing a competitive footing in NFC-based solutions with our new NFC technology, offering powerful mobile characteristics such as low power design and advanced RF sensitivity,” added Kim.
For those out of the loop, NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range (up to 10cm or 4-inch), high frequency wireless communication technology, that enables users with NFC-enabled devices to collect or transmit data.
With the help of the technology, users will be able to read specific posters with RFID tags (Radio Frequency Identification) in various retail stores or on outdoor billboards for quick data access.
According to market research firm, IMS Research, the mobile phone market is expected to grow from 1.4 billion units in 2011 to 1.8 billion units in 2015.
The new NFC chip developed and manufactured by Samsung is the first to feature flash for the embedded memory.
Korean handset manufacturer said that its new NFC solution will be showcased at the CARTES 2010 event held in Paris, from December 7th through 9th at the Samsung booth.
The mass production of the new Samsung NFC chip is slated for the first quarter of 2011.