Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sony applies for wireless power patent, wants to daisy-chain your energy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/sony-applies-for-wireless-power-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/sony-applies-for-wireless-power-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/sony-applies-for-wireless-power-patent/#comments Sony wireless power patent

As much as we're familiar with wireless power, we know developing a truly contact-free form of charging has a whole raft of extra challenges, such as getting into the sweet spot for power delivery and the potential traffic jam caused by throwing another device into the mix. Sony thinks it has these problems licked through a newly-published patent application. Its method uses location-finding to steer users until they're close enough for the wireless power source to reliably do its job. In some cases, it can use one mobile device to relay power to another, keeping everything fed even if the main power hub is tied up. Multiple power sources next to each other can go so far as to decide which of them should be the one to send power. The patent isn't a certain sign that your VAIO or Xperia is about to cut the cord altogether -- Sony first submitted this vision of the future in 2009. Even so, it gives us hope that our gadgets will one day start charging themselves instead of making us hunt down a wire or charging plate.

Sony applies for wireless power patent, wants to daisy-chain your energy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 21:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonecellphonescontactlesscontactless chargingcontactless powerContactlessChargingContactlessPowerlaptoplaptopspatentpatentsSONYUSPTOvaiowireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerxperiaTue, 15 May 2012 21:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Moneto NFC microSD to bring contactless features to any Android phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/moneto-nfc-microsd-contactless-payment-Android-iPhone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/moneto-nfc-microsd-contactless-payment-Android-iPhone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/moneto-nfc-microsd-contactless-payment-Android-iPhone/#comments

DeviceFidelity and Spring Card Systems have teamed up on a NFC-capable microSD card that will hopefully forgo the need of buying specific mobile handsets for the privilege of contactless payments. The card, which has been in development for a few years, houses an NFC radio and antenna that deals with payments through MasterCard's PayPass system. Moneto's iPhone case is already available, offering swipe payment delights for iOS users for $80, and includes $10 of spendable cash. The microSD card is set to land in the next few weeks, pegged at $30. Both will be available at the source below, with plans to support several -- as yet unnamed -- Android devices by Q2, rolling out further throughout 2012.

Continue reading Moneto NFC microSD to bring contactless features to any Android phone

Moneto NFC microSD to bring contactless features to any Android phone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidCESCES 2012Ces2012contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentGoogle walletGoogleWalletiOSmastercardmicrosdmobilepostcrossmonetoNFCWed, 11 Jan 2012 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM, Telefonica announce NFC trial, aim to launch mobile wallet next year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/rim-telefonica-announce-nfc-trial-aim-to-launch-mobile-wallet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/rim-telefonica-announce-nfc-trial-aim-to-launch-mobile-wallet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/rim-telefonica-announce-nfc-trial-aim-to-launch-mobile-wallet/#comments RIM's NFC campaign is about to roll into Iberia, now that the BlackBerry manufacturer has announced a new partnership with Madrid-based Telefonica. This week, the two companies unveiled plans to begin testing a mobile payment and ID card system across the Spanish capital, in the hopes of launching commercial services next year. The so-called Telefonica Wallet for BlackBerry trial will involve some 350 Telefonica employees and a select group of testers within Madrid, each of whom will be able to make payments, access offices and check bank statements from their BlackBerry handsets. Telefonica's Matthew Key told Reuters that his company chose RIM to participate in the trial primarily because of the security of its BlackBerry platform, stressing the importance of earning enough consumer trust to handle sensitive personal data. No specifics yet on when or where the carrier will launch a full payment system, though Key said that Telefonica's aiming to bring it to a handful of markets in 2012.

RIM, Telefonica announce NFC trial, aim to launch mobile wallet next year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankingBlackBerrycarriercontactlessEuropehandsetmadridmobilepostminimoneypaymentpersonal financePersonalFinanceResearch In MotionResearchInMotionRIMsmartphoneSpainSpanishtelefonicatelefonica wallet for blackberryTelefonicaWalletForBlackberrytrialwalletFri, 25 Nov 2011 17:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Developers get Google Wallet on original Nexus S, squares wiping your phone with $10]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/developers-get-google-wallet-on-original-nexus-s-squares-wiping/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/developers-get-google-wallet-on-original-nexus-s-squares-wiping/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/developers-get-google-wallet-on-original-nexus-s-squares-wiping/#comments Previously the exclusive phone-swiping domain of Sprint's Nexus S 4G, it now seems possible to get the wonders of Google wallet on its decidedly 3G predecessor. However, it's not an operation for the faint-hearted. If the words Cyanogen, full wipe, flash and kernel resemble white noise, it's probably worth waiting for an official release. See how the forum members at XDA Developers got their NFC wallet fix at the link below.

[Thanks, John]

Developers get Google Wallet on original Nexus S, squares wiping your phone with $10 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappcontactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentscredit cardcredit cardsCreditCardCreditCardsGoogleGoogle Nexus SGoogle walletGoogleNexusSGoogleWalletmobile appmobile paymentmobile paymentsmobile walletMobileAppMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsMobileWalletnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnexusnexus primenexus sNexusPrimeNexusSNFCnfc chipnfc paymentsNfcChipNfcPaymentsofferspaymentpaymentspaypasspurchasepurchasessamsungSecureElementtransactionwalletMon, 03 Oct 2011 11:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget giveaway: win one of five Nexus S 4G phones with $1,000 Google Wallet credit!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/engadget-giveaway-win-one-of-five-nexus-s-4g-phones-with-1-000/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/engadget-giveaway-win-one-of-five-nexus-s-4g-phones-with-1-000/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/engadget-giveaway-win-one-of-five-nexus-s-4g-phones-with-1-000/#comments

We're pretty excited about Google Wallet, but the service is currently only available for Nexus S 4G phone owners, leaving most of you waiting for broader implementation. Well, how would you like to skip the line, getting to test it out on a Nexus S 4G of your very own? Google has supplied us with five phones to give away -- the company is even throwing in $1,000 (yes, one THOUSAND dollars) of prepaid credit to help fund those first few dozen taps. There's one catch: you'll need to use your Nexus S 4G with a Sprint plan, though the carrier is throwing in one month of demo service to get you started. Check out our in-depth preview for a detailed look at the service, and simply leave a comment after the break to be entered to win -- after checking that you meet the entry requirements, of course.

Continue reading Engadget giveaway: win one of five Nexus S 4G phones with $1,000 Google Wallet credit!

Engadget giveaway: win one of five Nexus S 4G phones with $1,000 Google Wallet credit! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gamerican expressAmericanExpressandroidandroid marketandroid marketplaceAndroidMarketAndroidMarketplaceappblinkcitibankcontactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentscontestcredit cardcredit cardsCreditCardCreditCardsGifgift cardgift cardsGiftCardGiftCardsgive awaygiveawayGoogleNexusSGoogleOffersGoogleWalletimpressionsisismacesmastercardmastercard paypassMastercardPaypassmobile appmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobileAppMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsmobilepostcrossmotorolanear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnexusnexus primenexus snexus s 4gNexusPrimeNexusSNexusS4gnfcnfc chipNfcChipofferspaymentpaymentspaypasspreviewpurchasepurchasessamsungsamsung nexus s 4gSamsungNexusS4gsecure elementSecureElementsweepstakestransactiontransactionsvideovisawallTue, 20 Sep 2011 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/polyamorous-google-wallet-adds-visa-to-its-arsenal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/polyamorous-google-wallet-adds-visa-to-its-arsenal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/polyamorous-google-wallet-adds-visa-to-its-arsenal/#comments To the delight of shopaholics everywhere, Visa has announced that it's jumped on the Google Wallet bandwagon -- giving card users access to the snazzy, new NFC payment system. Much like MasterCard's announcement last week, the licensing agreement will allow Visa users to link their credit, debit and prepaid cards to Google's offering for fast mobile payments in places that accept the service. The credit card company has dabbled in mobile payments before through payWave, but with plans to integrate into GW, we'll surely be seeing more of it in the near future. As momentum over the NFC-powered mobile phones grows, it will be interesting to see if the Real Housewives can part with their phones long enough for their assistants to pay for those Manolos. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal

Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentscredit cardcredit cardsCreditCardCreditCardsgooglegoogle walletGoogleWalletisismastercardmobile walletmobilepostcrossMobileWalletNFCpaypasspaywaveRFIDvisaTue, 20 Sep 2011 00:34:00 EST<![CDATA[A week with Google Wallet (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/a-week-with-google-wallet-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/a-week-with-google-wallet-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/a-week-with-google-wallet-video/#comments Contactless payments have been something of a curiosity in the credit card industry. MasterCard's PayPass has been around for the better part of a decade, but merchants and banks alike seem hesitant to adopt the technology required to make the system work, and inconsistent implementation adds to the confusion -- particularly for customers. Google's new mobile phone-based Wallet service has the potential to transform the technology from its current status as a transaction turkey, to a future as a checkout champion. But will it work? We spent a week with a Wallet-enabled Nexus S 4G, using the device to pay whenever we encountered a MasterCard PayPass terminal. Unfortunately, that wasn't often enough, limiting us to just a handful of transactions in the first week. Still, with Google just beginning to roll out the service and only a limited selection of launch partners ready to go, it's impossible to deliver a complete verdict just yet. Jump past the break for an inside look at Google Wallet, including a video of the service in action, and a brief look at what the world of contactless payments may look like in the future.

Gallery: Google Wallet hands-on

Continue reading A week with Google Wallet (video)

A week with Google Wallet (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gamerican expressAmericanExpressandroidandroid marketandroid marketplaceAndroidMarketAndroidMarketplaceappblinkcitibankcontactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentscredit cardcredit cardsCreditCardCreditCardsgift cardgift cardsGiftCardGiftCardsgooglegoogle nexusgoogle nexus sgoogle offersgoogle walletGoogleNexusGoogleNexusSGoogleOffersGoogleWalletimpressionsisismacesmastercardmastercard paypassMastercardPaypassmobile appmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobileAppMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsmotorolanear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnexusnexus primenexus snexus s 4gNexusPrimeNexusSNexusS4gnfcnfc chipNfcChipofferspaymentpaymentspaypasspreviewpurchasepurchasessamsungsamsung nexus s 4gSamsungNexusS4gsecure elementSecureElementtransactiontransactionsvideovisawalletMon, 19 Sep 2011 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon give Isis mobile payment network a $100 million boost]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/29/atandt-t-mobile-and-verizon-give-isis-mobile-payment-network-a-1/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/29/atandt-t-mobile-and-verizon-give-isis-mobile-payment-network-a-1/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/29/atandt-t-mobile-and-verizon-give-isis-mobile-payment-network-a-1/#comments
How do you compete with Google's new Wallet mobile payment system? Well, a $100 million cash infusion certainly couldn't hurt. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have plans to invest just that amount in Isis, sources told Businessweek. That sum is likely to grow, since taking on Google is no small feat, especially considering Wallet is already off the ground, with nationwide retail partners and support for MasterCard PayPass. Though Isis first made its debut last year, Google Wallet, which was announced in May, has clearly taken the lead. Isis is little more than a top-level website at this point, though with three of the nation's largest carriers providing support, it could have a chance to catch up -- especially if the carriers elect not to partner with Google, leaving Sprint as the sole wireless provider. We're glad to see some potential healthy competition for Wallet, especially considering that it was looking like Google was poised to create a monopoly. We expect much more to come on the Isis front, but in the meantime, hold on to those wallets -- cell phone payments may be in your future, but for now, paper and plastic are where it's at.

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon give Isis mobile payment network a $100 million boost originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcellphonecellphonescommercecontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentgooglegoogle walletGoogleWalletisismastercardmobile commercemobile paymentsmobile walletMobileCommerceMobilePaymentsMobileWalletnfcnfc paymentsNfcPaymentspaymentpaymentsplanssmartphonesmartphonessprintt-mobileverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvisawalletwirelessMon, 29 Aug 2011 07:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/wireless-power-consortium-launches-qi-certification-lab-cuts-po/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/wireless-power-consortium-launches-qi-certification-lab-cuts-po/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/wireless-power-consortium-launches-qi-certification-lab-cuts-po/#comments The power of Qi has grown and grown since the wireless charging standard was finalized. With cord cutting becoming more desirable -- and dare we say, de rigeur, for many mobile devices -- the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has launched an independent lab to certify gadgets wanting on its induction charging bandwagon. TÜV Rheinland's providing the speedy certification services at its Taiwanese testing facility, so we should see the legion of Qi-powered devices continue to grow at an ever-increasing rate. Guess Power Matt made the right move joining the WPC superfriends. Qi's up, cords down, playa.

Continue reading Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices

Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingcontactlessinductioninduction chargerinduction chargingInductionChargerInductionCharginginductiveinductive chargerinductive chargineInductiveChargerInductiveCharginelabpower mattpower transmissionPowerMattPowerTransmissionqiTüvRheinlandTÜV Rheinlandtest labTestLabwireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerwireless power consortiumWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerWirelessPowerConsortiumwpcMon, 01 Aug 2011 19:43:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 4 gets upgraded for NFC payments the hard way]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/iphone-4-gets-upgraded-for-nfc-payments-the-hard-way/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/iphone-4-gets-upgraded-for-nfc-payments-the-hard-way/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/iphone-4-gets-upgraded-for-nfc-payments-the-hard-way/#comments Softbank customers in Japan can simply get an NFC sticker to add some contact-less payments to their iPhone 4, but most folks don't have it quite so easy just yet. There are some alternatives while you wait for Apple to hop on the NFC bandwagon, however, like this solution from Unplggd's Vivian Kim. It uses one of the smaller NFC-equipped credit cards now available from some banks, which is apparently just small enough to fit under the back cover of an iPhone 4 (a clear one, in this case, to show off your cleverness). And, yes, it apparently still works just fine under there -- even if you add a case on top of it.

iPhone 4 gets upgraded for NFC payments the hard way originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardcontact-lesscontact-less paymentsContact-lessPaymentscontactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentscredit cardCreditCarddiyiphoneiphone 4Iphone4nfcnfc cardNfcCardFri, 29 Jul 2011 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Isis adds Visa, MasterCard, American Express to mobile payment lineup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/isis-adds-visa-mastercard-american-express-to-mobile-payment-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/isis-adds-visa-mastercard-american-express-to-mobile-payment-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/isis-adds-visa-mastercard-american-express-to-mobile-payment-l/#comments Isis hasn't shown us much more than a logo and a black and white rendering of its NFC-powered mobile payment system, but the outfit proved today that it has all of its ducks -- or, rather, major credit card companies -- in a row. According to the group -- a collaboration between AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon -- Isis will launch with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express on board. Back in May, we reported that the credit card alternative was shaking up its initial, Discover-only platform to let the competition in. Since then, the Goog's swept in with Google Wallet (backed by Sprint), which also counts MasterCard as a partner. Google's already got a head start, with Wallet trials underway in New York and San Francisco, but the internet giant might just need the lead, considering the list of heavy hitters Isis has lined up for its 2012 debut.

Isis adds Visa, MasterCard, American Express to mobile payment lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attbarclaycardcommercecontactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentsdiscoverisisisis mobile walletIsisMobileWalletlaunchmarketmarketsmobile commercemobile walletMobileCommerceMobileWalletnear field communicationNearFNearFieldCommunicationWed, 20 Jul 2011 07:35:00 EST<![CDATA[PayPal announces phone-to-phone NFC support, cuts eyes at Google (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/paypal-announces-phone-to-phone-nfc-support-cuts-eyes-at-google/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/paypal-announces-phone-to-phone-nfc-support-cuts-eyes-at-google/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/paypal-announces-phone-to-phone-nfc-support-cuts-eyes-at-google/#comments Still eager to do business with a company that'll lock your account on a whim and side with the buyer regardless of the facts? Splendid! If that's you, PayPal would love for you to know that it has announced a new phone-to-phone NFC payment application at MobileBeat 2011, offering Nexus S owners the ability to request and transfer funds between handsets. As of now, the functionality is quite limited -- there's just a single smartphone with the hardware capabilities to take advantage, and there's no phone-to-anything not a phone supported as of now. In other words, this isn't exactly a Square killer just yet, but it's definitely something for the sued folks at Google to pay attention to. We're also hearing that P2P transactions through PayPal are gratis "if using a bank account or existing balance in the customer's PayPal account," but no one's coughing up details on what'll be deducted in the form of fees when using a different method of payment. A video demo of the 48 second transaction awaits you after the break, but sadly, there's no details on how soon it'll be made available to the public.

Update: It'll be available in the Android Market "this summer."

Continue reading PayPal announces phone-to-phone NFC support, cuts eyes at Google (video)

PayPal announces phone-to-phone NFC support, cuts eyes at Google (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentgooglelaura ChambersLauraChamberslawsuitmobilebeat 2011Mobilebeat2011nexus sNexusSnfcpaymentpaymentsPayPalsamsungsamsung nexus sSamsungNexusSsprintvideoWed, 13 Jul 2011 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Isis mobile payments coming to Austin in 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/isis-mobile-payments-coming-to-austin-in-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/isis-mobile-payments-coming-to-austin-in-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/isis-mobile-payments-coming-to-austin-in-2012/#comments Certain to "Keep Austin Weird," Isis has selected the home of SXSW as its second market for a mobile payment tryout. The joint-venture backed by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless (with help from MasterCard and Visa), will work with local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce to deliver what it calls a "comprehensive mobile experience" by mid-2012. Isis' latest metropolitan recruit joins Salt Lake City in this experiment that will compete with Google Wallet (which is endorsed by Sprint). Quick advice to Austinites: when out-of-towners begin gawking at you for getting "free" lattes and concert tickets by waving your phone about, be sure to explain the wonders of NFC -- it'd be a shame for them to attempt the same -- only to be taken into custody by the Austin PD. Jump the break for the PR.

Continue reading Isis mobile payments coming to Austin in 2012

Isis mobile payments coming to Austin in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012attaustincommercecontactlesscontactless paymentcontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentContactlessPaymentsisisisis mobile walletIsisMobileWalletlaunchmarketmarketsmastercardmobilemobile commercemobile paymentmobile paymentsmobile walletMobileCommerceMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsMobileWalletnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcofficialpaymentpayment systempaymentsPaymentSystempilotplansroadmapschedulet-mobiletexasverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvisavzwwirelessFri, 24 Jun 2011 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Primed: What is NFC, and why do we care?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/engadget-primed-what-is-nfc-and-why-do-we-care/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/engadget-primed-what-is-nfc-and-why-do-we-care/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/engadget-primed-what-is-nfc-and-why-do-we-care/#comments Primed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day -- we dig deep into each topic's history and how it benefits our lives. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com.

The introduction of Google Wallet felt a little too good to be true, didn't it? It's magical, like the tech equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. In reality, the tech behind mobile payments has been around since 2003 on a much smaller scale using near-field communications, more commonly known as NFC. The idea behind Wallet (amongst other services, like ISIS) is contactless pay -- using your phone as a credit card -- and is just one of the many ways NFC can be useful in our everyday lives. In fact, we're only scraping the surface of what's theoretically possible.

Google is definitely not the first company to dabble in NFC, but it appears to be poised and ready to push the tech's adoption forward at a rapid pace with the advent of Wallet and Offers. Until now the coals have been hot; but if a fire's going to start, someone monolithic has to throw a few newspapers in as kindling -- and Google volunteered. But what good is NFC if it's just an acronym that causes our eyes to glaze over? Is El Goog the only instigator? After the break we'll focus on what NFC is capable of, and why we want it on our phones as soon as yesterday.

Continue reading Engadget Primed: What is NFC, and why do we care?

Engadget Primed: What is NFC, and why do we care? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.3Android2.3ATTBlackBerryblackberry OS 7BlackberryOs7contactlesscontactless payContactlessPayengadget primedEngadgetPrimedgooglegoogle walletGoogleWallethardwareISISmicrosdmobilemobile paymentmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnexusNexus SNexus S 4gNexusSNexusS4gNFCpartnerpartnershipprimedRIMSamsungsamsung nexus ssamsung nexus s 4gSamsungNexusSSamsungNexusS4gsimsoftwaresprintt mobilet-mobileTMobileverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvideovisavzwFri, 10 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Netcom shows off microSD card with integrated NFC goodness (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/netcom-shows-off-microsd-card-with-integrated-nfc-goodness-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/netcom-shows-off-microsd-card-with-integrated-nfc-goodness-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/netcom-shows-off-microsd-card-with-integrated-nfc-goodness-vide/#comments Here's an interesting idea from a Chinese company called Netcom (not to be confused with the Norwegian operator): adding NFC capability to existing phones via microSD. That's right, rather than relying on external add-ons that occupy ports, Netcom decided to fit NFC chips plus their antennas onto ordinary microSD cards, yet still managing to cram in up to 8GB of NAND memory at the same time. This sure sounds convenient, but there are some caveats: the first rule is that neither the back cover nor the microSD card holder should be made out of metal; then secondly, we noticed that due to the tiny antenna coil, scanning could become tricky if the reader has a small sensing area -- you'd need to position your phone at just the right spot; and lastly, the phone needs a special background app to communicate with the NFC circuitry.

The demo we saw used a Java app running on a Chinese dumbphone, and we were told that Android will be next in line to receive similar support. Alas, consumers won't be able to pick up one of these cards from the shops, though Netcom's already working with a "top ten" phone manufacturer on a compatible device due in three to six months, so stay tuned. Hands-on video after the break.

Update: As pointed out by some readers, it turns out that DeviceFidelity beat Netcom to the market last year.

Gallery: Netcom shows off microSD card with integrated NFC goodness

Continue reading Netcom shows off microSD card with integrated NFC goodness (video)

Netcom shows off microSD card with integrated NFC goodness (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ComputexComputex 2011Computex2011contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentfeaturedfeatureshands-onHong KongHongKongmicroSDnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationNetcomNFCShenzhenvideoWed, 01 Jun 2011 17:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Google and Sprint team up to take your digital dollars with new NFC payment system? (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/google-and-sprint-team-up-to-take-your-digital-dollars-with-new/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/google-and-sprint-team-up-to-take-your-digital-dollars-with-new/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/google-and-sprint-team-up-to-take-your-digital-dollars-with-new/#comments There's been rumors of a Google-fied mobile payment system for some time, and now it looks like the Mountain View crew is teaming up with Sprint to finally make it happen. Last month, we heard that the Now Network would bring NFC payments to its customers this year, and Bloomberg reports that the partnership and payment system will make its debut on May 26th. Apparently, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C. are the first cities getting the service, which is a much broader initial footprint than its Isis mobile payment competition. The anonymous sources also say that Verifone and Vivotech are providing the hardware and software that will let you replace your credit card with a Nexus S -- because you always wanted to replace your credit card with your Nexus S.

Update: According to All things D, the payment system will be put through its paces by none other than El Goog's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt at the D9: All Things Digital conference next week -- where we'll be on hand to peep the contactless payment presentation in person.

Google and Sprint team up to take your digital dollars with new NFC payment system? (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 May 2011 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcontactlesscontactless paymentcontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentContactlessPaymentsgooglemobile paymentmobile payment systemmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsMobilePaymentSystemnear field communicationnear field communicationsNearFieldCommunicationNearFieldCommunicationsnfcnow networkNowNetworkpoint of salePointOfSaleposrumorsprintsprint nextelSprintNextelTue, 24 May 2011 15:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Orange and Barclaycard launch 'Quick Tap' NFC mobile payments in the UK]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/orange-and-barclaycard-launch-quick-tap-nfc-mobile-payments-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/orange-and-barclaycard-launch-quick-tap-nfc-mobile-payments-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/orange-and-barclaycard-launch-quick-tap-nfc-mobile-payments-in/#comments Yay for the UK, it's now one step closer to catching up to the Japan of last decade. Mobile carrier Orange is today launching the UK's first mobile phone contactless payment service, dubbed Quick Tap, for purchases up to £15. It works on MasterCard's PayPass system and requires you to have a Barclays debit or credit card or, alternatively, a credit card from Orange itself. Gemalto is providing the SIM-based NFC compatibility, with Samsung's entirely unrevolutionary Tocco Lite being the (admittedly affordable) launch handset. Then you just need to trust the Quick Pay app to be as secure as promised and you'll be ready to go off and use your phone as a payment terminal at over 50,000 locations, including joints run by McDonald's, Eat, Pret A Manger, Subway, and Wilkinson. A quick intro video and a more expansive press release follow after the break.

Continue reading Orange and Barclaycard launch 'Quick Tap' NFC mobile payments in the UK

Orange and Barclaycard launch 'Quick Tap' NFC mobile payments in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 03:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barclaycardbarclayscontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentgemaltolaunchmastercardnfcorangeorange ukOrangeUkpaypasspoint of salePointOfSaleposquick tapQuickTapukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomvideoFri, 20 May 2011 03:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Power Matt joins the Wireless Power Consortium, gains the power of Qi]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/14/power-matt-joins-the-wireless-power-consortium-gains-the-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/14/power-matt-joins-the-wireless-power-consortium-gains-the-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/14/power-matt-joins-the-wireless-power-consortium-gains-the-power/#comments Powermat's Power Matt proclaimed his cord-cutting capabilities to the people while bearing a striking resemblance to Superman. And now, just as the Kryptonian joined the Justice League, Power Matt has teamed up with the Wireless Power Consortium to benefit all mankind -- or at least get us closer to universal contactless chargers. With the pun-loving hero embracing the power of Qi, we're just a Touchstone away from induction charging nirvana... and the next great action flick, too.

Power Matt joins the Wireless Power Consortium, gains the power of Qi originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 May 2011 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingcontactlessecoupledinduction chargingInductionCharginginductive chargingInductiveChargingpowerpower mattpower transmissionpowermatPowerMattPowerTransmissionqiwireless chargingwireless powerwireless power consortiumWirelessChargingWirelessPowerWirelessPowerConsortiumSat, 14 May 2011 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Isis mobile payment system to work with Visa and MasterCard, shelving plans for its own network]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/isis-mobile-payment-system-to-work-with-visa-and-mastercard-she/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/isis-mobile-payment-system-to-work-with-visa-and-mastercard-she/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/isis-mobile-payment-system-to-work-with-visa-and-mastercard-she/#comments When AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon came together to create the Isis mobile payment system, they touted a standalone service, powered by Discover's payment network, that would revolutionize the way we make small purchases on the move. Well, the revolution is still on schedule, apparently, but the big trio is now being said to have made a concession in reaching out to the incumbent leaders in this field, Visa and MasterCard. The Wall Street Journal cites multiple sources in reporting that Isis has turned into a less ambitious "mobile wallet" project that would seek to let you use your Visa or MasterCard account via your NFC-capable smartphone. As far as the consumer is concerned, it's still the same swipe-to-buy proposition, but the move was apparently necessary for Isis "to avoid falling further behind" in the race to corner this developing market. We'd say it's encouraging to see these guys showing a bit of swiftness -- it's about time the rest of the world caught up to Japan.

Isis mobile payment system to work with Visa and MasterCard, shelving plans for its own network originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcommercecontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentisismastercardmobile commercemobile paymentsmobile walletMobileCommerceMobilePaymentsMobileWalletnfcnfc paymentsNfcPaymentspaymentpaymentsplansroadmapschedulet-mobileverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvisawalletWed, 04 May 2011 06:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Isis NFC payment system gets its first market in Salt Lake City, Utah, launches in 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/isis-nfc-payment-system-gets-its-first-market-in-salt-lake-city/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/isis-nfc-payment-system-gets-its-first-market-in-salt-lake-city/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/isis-nfc-payment-system-gets-its-first-market-in-salt-lake-city/#comments Like 3D on high-end HDTVs, NFC-based payment systems seem set to invade our mobile lives whether we like them or not. Isis, a collaborative venture between AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and a bunch of banking big timers, has today announced the first market for its rollout of a contactless payment scheme, and it's none other than Salt Lake City, Utah. That'll surely raise eyebrows in locales that may consider themselves more tech-savvy, but we reckon starting off with a city of a smaller scale might be good for getting this "mobile wallet" system off the ground. And then there's the added benefit of Isis snagging a deal to enable compatibility with the entire Utah Transit Authority footprint. If all plans are executed properly, that should mean that by summer 2012 the good people of SLC will be able to NFC their way around town with just their smartphone in hand, while also swiping it through checkouts like some form of highly advanced techno-humans.

Continue reading Isis NFC payment system gets its first market in Salt Lake City, Utah, launches in 2012

Isis NFC payment system gets its first market in Salt Lake City, Utah, launches in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 04:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012attbarclaycardcommercecontactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentsdiscoverisisisis mobile walletIsisMobileWalletlaunchmarketmarketsmobile commercemobile walletMobileCommerceMobileWalletnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcofficialpaymentpayment systempaymentsPaymentSystempilotplansroadmapsalt lake citySaltLakeCityschedulet-mobileutahverizonwirelessWed, 06 Apr 2011 04:31:00 EST<![CDATA[RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/rfid-enabled-vending-machine-ditches-coinage-gets-mario-bros-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/rfid-enabled-vending-machine-ditches-coinage-gets-mario-bros-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/rfid-enabled-vending-machine-ditches-coinage-gets-mario-bros-t/#comments A Twitter-enabled kitty door it is not, but this RFID-equipped soda machine is by far one of the most practical DIY projects we've seen in sometime. A Canadian tinkerer picked up this pop pusher a few years back, and has been using it to sling drinks in his building ever since. Unfortunately, finding the right change to feed the machine proved an issue for his neighbors, so he did what any logical hacker would do, and built in a contactless payment system. Using an Arduino, an Ethernet shield, an LCD screen, and an RFID reader, he created a system that allows customers to swipe a card and easily add funds from an online account. Best of all, every time you press that little blue button you get a Mario Bros. sample. Big ups, PopCARD. Video after the break.

Continue reading RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video)

RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymente-wallethackMarioMario BrosMarioBrosmodpaymentpayment systempaymentsPaymentSystempopCARDradio frequency identificationRadioFrequencyIdentificationRFIDRFID readerRfidReadersodasoda popSodaPopvending machincevending machinesVendingMachinceVendingMachinesvideoTue, 05 Apr 2011 17:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/samsung-and-visa-join-forces-to-enable-nfc-mobile-payment-at-201/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/samsung-and-visa-join-forces-to-enable-nfc-mobile-payment-at-201/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/samsung-and-visa-join-forces-to-enable-nfc-mobile-payment-at-201/#comments From a gadgeteer's point of view, one of the best things about the Olympics is its tendency to bring in new technologies to the hosting city. Take the 2012 games, for example: not only are the London Underground stations getting WiFi hotspots, but news has it that Samsung and Visa are holding hands to deliver NFC mobile payment solutions to the city. In fact, more than 60,000 locations in London are already geared up with contactless payment systems, and right now Visa is negotiating with banks to get its contactless cards and mobile phones approved. For the latter, one such device will be Samsung's Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset that comes with a Visa-enabled SIM card, and it'll be made available to sponsored athletes as well as various retailers. Furthermore, this alliance will continue after the Olympics, and Visa is rolling out its mobile payment system in many other countries as we speak, so it shouldn't be long before we hear more Visa handset announcements.

Continue reading Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics

Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20122012 olympics2012OlympicsCellphoneContactlesscontactless paymentContactlesspaymentlondonlondon 2012London2012mobile paymentmobile phonemobile walletMobilePaymentMobilePhoneMobileWalletnfcOlympicsolympics 2012Olympics2012PaymentphoneSamsungUKVisaFri, 01 Apr 2011 00:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Google said to be preparing NFC checkout trials for San Francisco and New York City]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/google-said-to-be-preparing-nfc-checkout-trials-for-san-francisc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/google-said-to-be-preparing-nfc-checkout-trials-for-san-francisc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/google-said-to-be-preparing-nfc-checkout-trials-for-san-francisc/#comments Google does not sell hardware, Eric Schmidt told us as much, but the company has few qualms about buying the stuff up. Bloomberg is reporting, on the authority of a pair of well informed sources, that the Mountain View team is about to buy up "thousands" of VeriFone's NFC payment terminals, with a view to installing them in stores across San Francisco and New York City. Those two technophile cities represent the most receptive audience NFC is likely to get in the US, and Google will be hoping that users there will be able to appreciate the convenience of being able to swipe their Nexus S (or other similarly equipped handset) to complete payments. We already know that Schmidt and co. consider the concept of "mobile money" a priority and there have been rumblings of Google setting up its own payment system, which together make this hookup with VeriFone appear highly credible. Bloomberg expects the trials to commence within the next four months, just in time to make iPhone 5 users green with envy.

Google said to be preparing NFC checkout trials for San Francisco and New York City originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentsgooglemobile paymentsMobilePaymentsnew york cityNewYorkCitynfcnycpaymentspoint of salePointOfSalepospreparationrumorsan franciscoSanFranciscospeculationtesttestingtrialverifoneTue, 15 Mar 2011 05:24:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 5 won't have NFC, say insiders at UK carriers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/iphone-5-wont-have-nfc-according-to-insiders-at-uk-carriers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/iphone-5-wont-have-nfc-according-to-insiders-at-uk-carriers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/iphone-5-wont-have-nfc-according-to-insiders-at-uk-carriers/#comments The Independent is starting our week off on a sour note with the information that Apple's next iPhone won't have NFC hardware built in. Near Field Communication has found itself coming to the fore this year, thanks in large part to the Nexus S touting it as a major feature, however sources at "several" of the UK's major carriers have told the newspaper that Apple intends to skip on it for this year. That intel is reportedly coming directly from meetings with the Cupertino brain trust, which is said to be dissatisfied with the current lack of a clear, universal NFC standard. It's generally been Apple's wont to omit or delay features it doesn't feel it can implement well, and NFC looks fated to be another one on that list.

iPhone 5 won't have NFC, say insiders at UK carriers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple iphoneAppleIphonecarrierscontactlessiphoneiphone 5Iphone5near field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcrumorspeculationukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomMon, 14 Mar 2011 03:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/morphos-nfc-wifi-enabled-keyfob-brings-wireless-payments-car/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/morphos-nfc-wifi-enabled-keyfob-brings-wireless-payments-car/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/morphos-nfc-wifi-enabled-keyfob-brings-wireless-payments-car/#comments Not interested in picking up an NFC-enabled smartphone? No matter -- Morpho's got you covered. The outfit was demonstrating a newly finished Simlink NFC keyfob here at Mobile World Congress, intended to provide contactless payment capability for those who lack it in their existing mobile. Rather than stopping at just payments, this dongle also supports frequent flier cards, membership accounts and pretty much any other members-only situation that may ever use NFC check-ins and registration. There's even a WiFi module here and an onboard web server, enabling any WiFi-enabled phone to immediately see your most recent transactions as well as what data / cards you have stored on the device. We're told that the onboard battery can last around a week if you don't use it continuously, and a simple micro-USB connector is responsible for charging. The only unfortunate part is the size -- it's hardly inconspicuous, but we're guessing revision two will lose quite a bit of weight. This particular model should go on sale by the end of Q4, with pricing to be determined. Head on past the break for a brief demonstration, you big spender, you.

Gallery: Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob enables wireless payments, card management at MWC 2011

Continue reading Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video)

Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentcontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentContactlessPaymentsdemokeychainkeyfobmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsmorphomwcmwc 2011Mwc2011NFCperipheralSafransanfrasimlinkSINTEFtelenorvideowifiwirelessThu, 17 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Esper Dominoes topple without touching, we fall all over ourselves (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/esper-dominoes-topple-without-touching-we-fall-all-over-ourselv/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/esper-dominoes-topple-without-touching-we-fall-all-over-ourselv/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/esper-dominoes-topple-without-touching-we-fall-all-over-ourselv/#comments Quick, what's wrong with this picture? Oh, that's right -- dominoes don't topple all by themselves, do they? But these aren't your average tiles. Constructed by Japanese interaction researchers in 2009, these "Esper Dominoes" each have ZigBee radios inside, and as each stone falls it wirelessly tells the next to follow suit, all down the line. Of course, knowing all that, why would you ever settle for a boring row of five? Hit the break to see what these bones are really capable of, and join us in praying that some entrepreneur mass produces these perfect stocking stuffers before another two years fly by.

Continue reading Esper Dominoes topple without touching, we fall all over ourselves (video)

Esper Dominoes topple without touching, we fall all over ourselves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlessdominodominoesEsper DominoEsper DominoesEsperDominoEsperDominoesJarashi WorksJarashiWorkstoytoysvideowirelessXBeezigbeeThu, 03 Feb 2011 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[LG working on an NFC payment system for Europe, planning launch in 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/lg-working-on-an-nfc-payment-system-for-europe-planning-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/lg-working-on-an-nfc-payment-system-for-europe-planning-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/lg-working-on-an-nfc-payment-system-for-europe-planning-launch/#comments All these upcoming NFC-equipped smartphones wouldn't be worth much without places to use them, so it's good to hear LG's announcement this week that it's working on providing the infrastructure for contactless payments. The Korean company has set its sights on Europe, where it's conducting beta testing of point-of-sale technology that will facilitate paying for goods and services by swiping your phone near an NFC sensor. We're not told whether that phone would necessarily have to be built by LG, though we imagine the company would be well served by including as many devices as possible and just taking its slice of the profits. Whatever LG does, it's looking increasingly safe to assume that having NFC on your phone will be a legitimate asset in the coming months (and not just if you live in Japan).

LG working on an NFC payment system for Europe, planning launch in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentdevelopmenteuropeforecastlgnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcpaymentplanspoint of salePointOfSaleroadmapscheduleWed, 02 Feb 2011 03:54:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 5 and iPad 2 will come with NFC built in, suggests well-connected analyst]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/iphone-5-and-ipad-2-will-come-with-nfc-built-in-suggests-well-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/iphone-5-and-ipad-2-will-come-with-nfc-built-in-suggests-well-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/iphone-5-and-ipad-2-will-come-with-nfc-built-in-suggests-well-c/#comments You'll no doubt be aware of our (well justified) distrust for anything that passes a tech analyst's lips, but this time's a little different. Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group cites "engineers who are working on hardware" for Apple's latest project in asserting what that project actually is: NFC capabilities are apparently being built into the next generation of iPhone and iPad devices. Contactless payments via NFC have been steadily building up in hype and adoption recently -- at least in the western hemisphere, the stuff is commonplace in Japan -- and Doherty predicts Apple will make its move into the field with some new hardware and an accompanying "revamp" of iTunes. The idea would be to allow the use of iTunes gift card balances and the credit card info Apple already has from you to make swiping payments at compatible retail outlets. Apple is said to be planning enticements, like loyalty credits and points, to get you using its service in the place of the competition, and there are already a couple of software patent applications from the company detailing other potential uses for the technology. All of which could mean absolutely nothing, of course, but this seems like an awful lot of smoke for there not to be a fire under it.

iPhone 5 and iPad 2 will come with NFC built in, suggests well-connected analyst originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentipadipad 2Ipad2iphoneiphone 5Iphone5leakmobile paymentsMobilePaymentsmoneynfcpaymentpaymentsrumorspeculationTue, 25 Jan 2011 02:25:00 EST<![CDATA[McDonald's to start accepting contactless Visa payments in all UK restaurants by this summer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/mcdonalds-to-start-accepting-contactless-visa-payments-in-all-u/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/mcdonalds-to-start-accepting-contactless-visa-payments-in-all-u/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/mcdonalds-to-start-accepting-contactless-visa-payments-in-all-u/#comments The UK already has a big old investment in contactless technology with London's rather successful Oystercard travel scheme, but now the whole Kingdom can get a taste for airborne payments thanks to a new initiative from McDonald's and Visa. The two giants of commerce are uniting to bring NFC tech to all of the former's 1,200 fast food restaurants within the UK, allowing hungry Brits to pay for meals costing up to £15 by simply waving their credit card in front of the till Obi-wan-style. Of course, the real excitement of such large-scale NFC proliferation is in the potential to use those automated tills with your Nexus S (which has an NFC chip built right in) and other devices coming up this year that look set to feature the technology. So yeah, Visa had better be working hard on putting together some mobile apps.

[Thanks, Steve]

McDonald's to start accepting contactless Visa payments in all UK restaurants by this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainchaincontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentcredit cardsCreditCardsmcdonaldsnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcpaymentpaymentsrestaurantukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomvisaMon, 24 Jan 2011 05:57:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 4 gets stuck with NFC 'sticker' from Japan's Softbank]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/27/iphone-4-gets-stuck-with-nfc-sticker-from-japans-softbank/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/27/iphone-4-gets-stuck-with-nfc-sticker-from-japans-softbank/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/27/iphone-4-gets-stuck-with-nfc-sticker-from-japans-softbank/#comments One of the lesser known predictions of the Mayan calendar foretells that 2011 will be the year of NFC. The contactless communications stuff looks to be building all kinds of steam in the Western world, but don't lose faith in your current smartphone if it doesn't already have it. Japanese carrier Softbank has responded to complaints about the iPhone 4's NFC deficit -- the FeliCa payment system is pretty popular over in the land of sumo, sushi and sun-rising -- by introducing a new "seal" for the back of Apple's latest and greatest. It sticks on, covering almost the entire rear, but is apparently thin enough not to get in the way of using one of Apple's own Bumpers alongside it. From our reading of the press release, the sticker doesn't actually communicate with the iPhone, it's just a dumb NFC card, but hey, other people don't need to know that when you're swiping payments with your phone, now do they? On sale in February at a price of ¥2,980 ($36).

iPhone 4 gets stuck with NFC 'sticker' from Japan's Softbank originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryapplecontactlessfelicaiphoneiphone 4Iphone4japanjapanesenear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcnfc stickerNfcStickerperipheralsoftbanksoftbank mobileSoftbankMobilestickerMon, 27 Dec 2010 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Visa clears DeviceFidelity's In2Pay mobile payment microSD card for use in smartphones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/visa-clears-devicefidelity-s-in2pay-mobile-payment-microsd-card/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/visa-clears-devicefidelity-s-in2pay-mobile-payment-microsd-card/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/visa-clears-devicefidelity-s-in2pay-mobile-payment-microsd-card/#commentsNo iPhone? No problem. If you'll recall, we heard back in May that Visa was in cahoots with DeviceFidelity, with the two trumpeting a not-exactly-svelte In2Pay case that would add contactless payment support to Apple's darling. Today, the rest of the world is finally being taken into consideration. The aforementioned firms have just cleared a new In2Pay microSD solution for use in the real world, with the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and the Samsung Vibrant in particular named as compatible. In theory, it seems that nearly any smartphone with a microSD slot could be ushered into the arena, and Visa itself expects to add additional phone models for use with this technology, "including phones based on the Symbian and Windows operating systems." This unveiling is happening after a solid 18 months of testing around the globe, but there's no definitive word on which banks will be offering this to customers. Between this and the sudden interest in NFC, America seems more poised than ever before to slip ever further into an endless pool of debt, and with way less friction than before! We kid, we kid... kind of.

Continue reading Visa clears DeviceFidelity's In2Pay mobile payment microSD card for use in smartphones

Visa clears DeviceFidelity's In2Pay mobile payment microSD card for use in smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9650accessoryandroidbankbankingbanksblackberryblackberry boldBlackberryBoldboldcontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentDeviceFidelityIn2PayiphonemicroSDmobile paymentsMobilePaymentspaymentsamsung vibrantSamsungVibrantvibrantVisaTue, 07 Dec 2010 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung Nexus S utilizing NXP's PN544 NFC chip]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/samsung-nexus-s-utilizing-nxps-pn544-nfc-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/samsung-nexus-s-utilizing-nxps-pn544-nfc-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/samsung-nexus-s-utilizing-nxps-pn544-nfc-chip/#commentsWell, color us surprised. Just last Wednesday, Samsung announced that it had developed its very own NFC module in-house, but today we're learning that it came just a few months too late for inclusion in the outfit's forthcoming Nexus S. Right on cue, NXP Semiconductors has come forward today proclaiming its involvement in the first handset to ship with Android 2.3. The outfit's PN544 NFC controller and accompanying open source software stack will be used in the Nexus S, and naturally they've both been "fully integrated and validated on Gingerbread." Of course, only time will tell what sort of applications spring up to take advantage, but we've got a feeling that metro payments and the like could be first in line. Nice of America to finally catch up, right?

Continue reading Samsung Nexus S utilizing NXP's PN544 NFC chip

Samsung Nexus S utilizing NXP's PN544 NFC chip originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.3Android2.3contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentgingerbreadnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnexusnexus sNexusSNFCNXPNXP SemiconductorsNxpSemiconductorsPN544samsungsamsung nexus sSamsungNexusSsmartphonewirelessMon, 06 Dec 2010 14:38:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon announce Isis national mobile commerce network]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/atandt-t-mobile-and-verizon-announce-isis-national-mobile-commer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/atandt-t-mobile-and-verizon-announce-isis-national-mobile-commer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/atandt-t-mobile-and-verizon-announce-isis-national-mobile-commer/#comments
Just in time for the total economic collapse of Europe and the rise of the cyber-nomadic tribes, the kids at Discover, Barclaycard, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have a name for their mobile phone-based payment system: Isis. Essentially it remains what we heard from Bloomberg a few months back: a system for using an app on your phone to send payments to a POS system using NFC technology. The Isis team thinks it has "the scope and scale necessary to introduce mobile commerce on a broad basis," and we wish them the best. But we know how it all ends anyways: with the lucky among us dead, and the rest of us living in caves, hiding from death-dealing robots, and bartering for what we can't scrounge from the ruins of our once-great cities. PR after the break.

Continue reading AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon announce Isis national mobile commerce network

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon announce Isis national mobile commerce network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attbarclayscommercecontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentdeutsche telekomDeutscheTelekomdiscovere-commerceisismobile paymentsmobile walletMobilePaymentsMobileWalletnear field communicationnear-field communicationNear-fieldCommunicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcpartnershippaymentst-mobilet-mobile usaT-mobileUsaverizonwalletTue, 16 Nov 2010 10:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Duracell myGrid USB Charger gives your Kindle 100 extra hours of life for $35]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/duracell-mygrid-usb-charger-gives-your-kindle-100-extra-hours-of/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/duracell-mygrid-usb-charger-gives-your-kindle-100-extra-hours-of/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/duracell-mygrid-usb-charger-gives-your-kindle-100-extra-hours-of/#comments While Energizer's moving forward with its newfound Qi partnership, its bunny-less arch rival seems content right where it's at. Duracell's WildCharge-based myGrid charging mat, which was actually introduced over a year ago, is finally gaining a second good reason to purchase one: the myGrid USB Charger. The nugget you see above is a rechargeable Li-ion battery with a USB output, and according to Duracell, there's enough juice in there to extend the life of most smartphones by four hours and the life of most e-readers (Kindle included) by up to 100 hours. It's available today at CVS, Walmart, Target and Amazon for $34.99, and that does indeed include both mini-USB and micro-USB adapters. The full release awaits your eyes after the break.

Continue reading Duracell myGrid USB Charger gives your Kindle 100 extra hours of life for $35

Duracell myGrid USB Charger gives your Kindle 100 extra hours of life for $35 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingcharging padChargingPadcontactlesscontactless chargingContactlessChargingDuracellli-ionmygridSmart PowerSmartPowerusbusb chargerUsbChargerWildChargewireless chargerwireless chargingwireless usb chargerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessUsbChargerTue, 09 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ASSA ABLOY trials remote hotel check-ins, unlocking your room with NFC cellphones (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/assa-abloy-trials-remote-hotel-check-ins-unlocking-your-room-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/assa-abloy-trials-remote-hotel-check-ins-unlocking-your-room-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/assa-abloy-trials-remote-hotel-check-ins-unlocking-your-room-wi/#comments Just think of it, no more hanging around your hotel's front desk like some unrefined homo erectus. The Clarion Hotel in Stockholm is starting up a new pilot program to allow visitors to check in and collect their room key without the repugnant need for speaking to an actual human being -- it can all be done with an NFC-equipped mobile phone. Provided your smartphone can do the near-field communications dance, all your information can be remotely downloaded, stored, and wiped (if need be), and you can even check out from a room using the accompanying application. Samsung handsets are being provided to selected customers during the period of this trial, though once its four-month incubation period is over, you'll have to bring your own bit of advanced telephony to avoid the queues. We're sure you'll think of something. Video and full press release after the break.

Continue reading ASSA ABLOY trials remote hotel check-ins, unlocking your room with NFC cellphones (video)

ASSA ABLOY trials remote hotel check-ins, unlocking your room with NFC cellphones (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assa abloyAssaAbloycheck-inclarionclarion hotelClarionHotelcontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymenthotelhotelskeykeysmobile keymobile keysMobileKeyMobileKeysnear field communicationnear-field communicationNear-fieldCommunicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcpilotpilot programPilotProgramroom keyroom keysRoomKeyRoomKeysstockholmswedenteliasoneratesttrialvideoTue, 02 Nov 2010 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Energizer Qi wireless charging base station spotted in the wild]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/30/energizer-qi-wireless-charging-base-station-spotted-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/30/energizer-qi-wireless-charging-base-station-spotted-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/30/energizer-qi-wireless-charging-base-station-spotted-in-the-wild/#comments It's taken quite awhile to go from christening to shipping, but Qi looks just about ready to make its mark on the public. And on Powermat's bottom line. We've known all along that Energizer was a huge proponent of the protocol, and now we're finding that review units are making their way out to the media. YouTube user akaTRENT seems to have gotten his earlier than most, and he's been so kind as to offer up an unboxing of the inductive charging station as well as a sleeve for the iPhone 4. We're planning on giving this same setup a whirl in due time, but if you're interested to see how this guy looks in the flesh, there's a play button with your name on it just beyond the break.

Continue reading Energizer Qi wireless charging base station spotted in the wild

Energizer Qi wireless charging base station spotted in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargechargerchargingcontactlesselectricityenergizerEnergizer QiEnergizerQienergypowerqivideowireless powerWirelessPowerSat, 30 Oct 2010 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony and Global HID to unify FeliCa and NFC laptop reader technologies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/12/sony-and-global-hid-to-unify-felica-and-nfc-laptop-reader-techno/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/12/sony-and-global-hid-to-unify-felica-and-nfc-laptop-reader-techno/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/12/sony-and-global-hid-to-unify-felica-and-nfc-laptop-reader-techno/#commentsSony and Global HID are coyly batting their eyelashes at each other over a memorandum of intent to jointly develop an embedded contactless smart card reader platform for laptops. The idea is to create a single reader compatible with Sony's popular FeliCa solution in Japan as well as NFC, HID Global's own iCLASS, and more. As a refresher, about 315 million FeliCa cards are in circulation worldwide with another 67 million FeliCa-capable mobile phones in Japan used for electronic payments, access, interactive advertising, and membership rewards systems. Hell, Sony's even got a FeliCa reading remote control. The dark arts of Near Field Communication have been given a boost recently with support from Nokia and the US carriers AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Even Apple is rumored to be getting in on the action. So let's ink a contract already fellas, anything that will unify all these "standards" into a common embedded laptop reader sounds like a good idea to us.

Continue reading Sony and Global HID to unify FeliCa and NFC laptop reader technologies

Sony and Global HID to unify FeliCa and NFC laptop reader technologies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancecontactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentfelicaglobal hidGlobalHidiclassmemorandum of intentMemorandumOfIntentnfcsmart cardSmartCardsonyTue, 12 Oct 2010 06:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Visa rolling out payWave mobile phone payments in NY subway and taxis]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/23/visa-rolling-out-paywave-mobile-phone-payments-in-ny-subway-and/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/23/visa-rolling-out-paywave-mobile-phone-payments-in-ny-subway-and/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/23/visa-rolling-out-paywave-mobile-phone-payments-in-ny-subway-and/#comments DeviceFidelity's mobile twist on Visa's payWave system is a nice little solution to the fact that nobody's bothered to build contactless payment chips into US mobile phones just yet -- DeviceFidelity just stuffs the Visa smart chip circuitry into a microSD card and lets you on your way. Of course, this supplants the much needed additional storage on an Android handset, and requires a chunky add-on case for the iPhone, but at least it's a start. Visa will now start allowing those payWave-enabled devices to make contactless payments at subway turnstiles and taxi backseats in New York City as part of a new trial for the tech. Of course you've been able to do this with all sorts of chipped credit cards already, but there's something very future-ey about swiping your phone to make a payment -- now how about ditching the clunky add-ons and building some of this circuitry in by default?

Continue reading Visa rolling out payWave mobile phone payments in NY subway and taxis

Visa rolling out payWave mobile phone payments in NY subway and taxis originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymentdevice fidelityDeviceFidelityin2paymicrosdnypaywavesmart chipSmartChipsubwaytaxitaxisvideovisaThu, 23 Sep 2010 00:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Fujitsu says new wireless, contact-less charging system could hit products by 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/fujitsu-says-new-wireless-contact-less-charging-system-could-hi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/fujitsu-says-new-wireless-contact-less-charging-system-could-hi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/fujitsu-says-new-wireless-contact-less-charging-system-could-hi/#comments There may be an increasing number of wireless charging devices available these days, but actual contact-less charging systems have so far been confined to experiments and slightly disconcerting demonstrations. It looks like Fujitsu could be set to change that, however -- the company has just announced that it will unveil a new system later this week that can charge several gadgets simultaneously over a distance of "several centimeters," and it says that it could hit cellphones and other products as soon as 2012. That system is apparently based on magnetic resonance technology, which Fujitsu notes can in theory work over distances as great as "several meters," although the efficiency is greatly diminished -- it reportedly has an efficiency of 85 percent at 15 centimeters. Details are otherwise still a bit light at the moment (including word of any actual products), but you can be sure we'll be keeping a close eye on this one.

Fujitsu says new wireless, contact-less charging system could hit products by 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingcontact-lesscontact-less chargingContact-lessChargingcontactlesscontactless chargingContactlessChargingfujitsupowerwirelesswireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerTue, 14 Sep 2010 16:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Visa gets Bank of America on board for mobile payments trial, starting in New York next month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/visa-gets-bank-of-america-on-board-for-mobile-payments-trial-st/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/visa-gets-bank-of-america-on-board-for-mobile-payments-trial-st/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/visa-gets-bank-of-america-on-board-for-mobile-payments-trial-st/#commentsIt didn't take long for Visa to react to the three-headed beast of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon entering the mobile payments arena. The world's foremost payment processing company has just announced that it's about to start a trial of its contactless payment system in partnership with Bank of America. Kicking off in the New York area this September and lasting through the end of the year, the scheme will most likely involve the MicroSD NFC communicator and In2Pay iPhone case that DeviceFidelity has been developing for Visa. No disclosures are being made on the size of this pilot scheme, though we're told that only a "select" group of employees and customers will be getting the mobile payment chips. Don't worry if you miss out on this one, though, as a similar trial is scheduled to begin in October with US Bancorp. That should give you enough time to turn yourself into a high-rolling select customer, right?

Visa gets Bank of America on board for mobile payments trial, starting in New York next month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bank of americabankingBankOfAmericacontactlesscontactless paymentcontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentContactlessPaymentsdigital walletDigitalWalletin2paymobile bankingmobile paymentsMobileBankingMobilePaymentsnear field communicationsnear-field communicationsNear-fieldCommunicationsNearFieldCommunicationsnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynfcnfc paymentsNfcPaymentsnycpay-by-phonepayment processingPaymentProcessingpaymentspilotshoppingsmartphonestrialus bancorpUsBancorpvisaFri, 20 Aug 2010 07:31:00 EST