Near Field Communications Coming to Android Handsets
Near Field Communication (NFC), a short-range radio standard, is the technology behind Apple’s recently patented iTravel system, which allows users to purchase travel and concert tickets electronically and use their phone to gain admission. However, NXP Semiconductors, a manufacturer of NFC hardware, claims that it will be Android handsets that will see the first large-scale introduction of the technology.
According to NXP, NFC hardware should roll out to a large number of Android phones by the end of 2010 and early 2011. The issue facing those wanting to take advantage of such technology is now a matter of the hardware only running with a set of standardized APIs as opposed to an open source alternative.
What sort of uses would you like to see out of NFC tech on Android devices? Assuming a set of developer-friendly APIs follow with the hardware, it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to believe Android would receive similar services to iTravel, and maybe sooner, as the latest iPhone prototype leak didn’t seem to indicate NFC hardware would be on board.
[via Near Field Communications World]