AIX-EN-PROVENCE & PARIS, FRANCE: INSIDE Contactless, the world leader in advanced open-standard contactless chip technologies, and CONNECTHINGS, a pioneer in providing systems that deliver contextualized services and content based on location and time, today announced a partnership to give Near Field Communication (NFC) the intelligence it needs to go beyond payment and transit applications to enable a broad range of mobile services.
To accomplish this, the two companies will jointly develop, promote and commercialize the Wave-Me™ NFC services platform, an end-to-end solution carriers and third-party service providers can use to give subscribers easy access to a broad range of consumer services and applications through their mobile phones.
“When INSIDE announced its Wave-Me technologies in February of this year, we introduced our vision of a service-rich future for NFC, and the partnership we are announcing today is an important step in realizing that vision,” said Loic Hamon, Vice President Marketing NFC of INSIDE Contactless.
“Together with CONNECTHINGS, we are developing the key infrastructure elements that will give operators and service providers a powerful NFC service delivery platform and transform how people interact with and use their mobile devices.”
The two companies occupy dominant positions within their respective markets, and their combined expertise and experience create a unique force to drive the development of the Wave-Me NFC services platform and define the intelligent interfaces and protocols necessary for communication between NFC handsets, NFC tags and the platform.
INSIDE will provide its NFC technology know-how, NFC hardware, loadable application-level software for the handset, Wave-Me products, NFC tags and other patented technology. CONNECTHINGS brings knowledge from its AdTag™ server-side contextualized content management, as well as its experience with NFC tag and mobile application life cycle management and other technologies.
“This partnership with INSIDE Contactless demonstrates our commitment to distributing and commercializing NFC tags to deliver contextualized services to mobile phone users and to managing tags and application life cycle,” said Laetitia Gazel-Anthoine, founder and chief executive officer of CONNECTHINGS.
“We share INSIDE’s vision of consumers using their mobile phones to scan tags to quickly gain access to value added and contextual services, and look forward to working with INSIDE on the creation of this NFC services platform.”
Wave-Me-enabled handsets will allow people to access relevant, profile-based services with a simple gesture. When “waved” near a corresponding Wave-Me NFC tag, the Wave-Me technology automatically simulates a complex series of keystrokes, eliminating awkward, time-consuming, multi-keystroke chores. Wave-Me tags could also contain relevant phone numbers or complex URLs to send SMS messages or send and retrieve information from web sites.
Merchants and other businesses will be able to sponsor Wave-Me applications, with the possibility of displaying branding information not only on the tag, but also on the handset screen with accompanying sound or music.
Museums and cities will be able to provide Wave-Me applications to their visitors, with the possibility of using NFC tags deployed in their environment to access services. These tags will provide quick access not only to a multimedia guide but also to added-value features like annotation and content sharing. INSIDE and CONNECTHINGS plan to demonstrate the Wave-Me NFC services platform later this year.
Showing posts with label NFC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFC. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
NFC Forum intros New 'Implementer' membership level
WAKEFIELD, USA: The NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association that advances the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, today announced a new membership level called "Implementer" designed to further the NFC ecosystem and broaden the organization's global reach.
Implementer membership is targeted at companies directly implementing NFC solutions in the field worldwide. It complements existing NFC Forum membership levels which are primarily targeted at technical specification development.
As more commercial NFC applications are developed and deployed, Implementer membership provides a platform for companies that work with NFC on a daily basis.
Available at an annual cost of US$5000, the Implementer level entitles members to an array of benefits, including participation in NFC Forum marketing events and Plugfests, access to member resources, discounts and input to Forum marketing efforts. Implementer membership is the most affordable level of NFC Forum membership available to for-profit companies.
"No one knows more about customer needs and best practices than the companies that deliver NFC solutions around the world every day," said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. "The Implementer level brings NFC Forum membership within reach of these organizations, and as we work together to build the future of NFC, their knowledge and expertise should prove to be very valuable."
Implementer members are entitled to:
* Access to the NFC Forum members-only website (excluding Technical and Compliance Committee areas);
* Attend Plenary meetings;
* Attend and participate in Marketing Committee Working Group and Task Force meetings;
* Review pre-release drafts of specifications during the Committee review period;
* Participate at member rates in NFC Forum marketing-related events;
* Participate in NFC Forum members-only Plugfests; and
* Receive member discounts on product certification.
In addition to the Implementer level, the NFC Forum offers for-profit companies the following membership levels at the annual fees indicated: Associate (US$10,000), Principal (US$25,000) and Sponsor (US$50,000).
Non-Profit membership is available to not-for-profit institutions for an annual fee of US$1000. The NFC Forum recently enhanced benefits for all existing membership levels.
Implementer membership is targeted at companies directly implementing NFC solutions in the field worldwide. It complements existing NFC Forum membership levels which are primarily targeted at technical specification development.
As more commercial NFC applications are developed and deployed, Implementer membership provides a platform for companies that work with NFC on a daily basis.
Available at an annual cost of US$5000, the Implementer level entitles members to an array of benefits, including participation in NFC Forum marketing events and Plugfests, access to member resources, discounts and input to Forum marketing efforts. Implementer membership is the most affordable level of NFC Forum membership available to for-profit companies.
"No one knows more about customer needs and best practices than the companies that deliver NFC solutions around the world every day," said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. "The Implementer level brings NFC Forum membership within reach of these organizations, and as we work together to build the future of NFC, their knowledge and expertise should prove to be very valuable."
Implementer members are entitled to:
* Access to the NFC Forum members-only website (excluding Technical and Compliance Committee areas);
* Attend Plenary meetings;
* Attend and participate in Marketing Committee Working Group and Task Force meetings;
* Review pre-release drafts of specifications during the Committee review period;
* Participate at member rates in NFC Forum marketing-related events;
* Participate in NFC Forum members-only Plugfests; and
* Receive member discounts on product certification.
In addition to the Implementer level, the NFC Forum offers for-profit companies the following membership levels at the annual fees indicated: Associate (US$10,000), Principal (US$25,000) and Sponsor (US$50,000).
Non-Profit membership is available to not-for-profit institutions for an annual fee of US$1000. The NFC Forum recently enhanced benefits for all existing membership levels.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Motorola joins Via Licensing's NFC joint licensing program
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Via Licensing Corp. announced that Motorola Inc. has joined its joint licensing program for patents essential to the practice of near field communications (NFC) as a licensor.
NFC technology provides short-range, standards-based wireless connectivity that can help people access digital content, connect electronic devices, and conduct secure, contactless transactions.
The joint licensing program for NFC is designed to provide fair and convenient access to essential patents through a single license agreement. Among the applications covered by this program are NFC–compliant mobile phones, consumer electronic devices, and commercial systems such as payment processing terminals, transportation terminals, and vending machines.
“Motorola has a broad licensing program encompassing multiple technologies, some of which are commercially appropriate for joint licensing programs,” said Brian Blasius, Director of Outbound Licensing, Motorola Mobile Devices. “We are committed to facilitating the development and implementation of the NFC market by making our patents essential to the practice of NFC accessible to the industry through a single, convenient source.”
“We are thrilled to have Motorola participate in the joint licensing program for NFC,” said Hélène Jay, Director of Business Development, Europe at Via Licensing. “By working with industry leaders such as Motorola, France Telecom, Inside Contactless, and NXP, Via Licensing hopes to enhance the value of a combined patent license to those companies creating products based on this technology.”
A wide range of related technical specifications published by ISO, ETSI, and the NFC Forum are covered by the NFC patent pool agreement.
The list of technical specifications covered by the NFC joint patent pool is updated from time to time as additional specifications are adopted by standards organizations. Any entity owning patents that may be deemed essential to NFC is invited to submit its patent for evaluation by an independent expert with a view toward contributing its essential patents to the pool license.
Noncompliant NFC–related technologies, such as smart cards, are not covered by the NFC pool license.
NFC technology provides short-range, standards-based wireless connectivity that can help people access digital content, connect electronic devices, and conduct secure, contactless transactions.
The joint licensing program for NFC is designed to provide fair and convenient access to essential patents through a single license agreement. Among the applications covered by this program are NFC–compliant mobile phones, consumer electronic devices, and commercial systems such as payment processing terminals, transportation terminals, and vending machines.
“Motorola has a broad licensing program encompassing multiple technologies, some of which are commercially appropriate for joint licensing programs,” said Brian Blasius, Director of Outbound Licensing, Motorola Mobile Devices. “We are committed to facilitating the development and implementation of the NFC market by making our patents essential to the practice of NFC accessible to the industry through a single, convenient source.”
“We are thrilled to have Motorola participate in the joint licensing program for NFC,” said Hélène Jay, Director of Business Development, Europe at Via Licensing. “By working with industry leaders such as Motorola, France Telecom, Inside Contactless, and NXP, Via Licensing hopes to enhance the value of a combined patent license to those companies creating products based on this technology.”
A wide range of related technical specifications published by ISO, ETSI, and the NFC Forum are covered by the NFC patent pool agreement.
The list of technical specifications covered by the NFC joint patent pool is updated from time to time as additional specifications are adopted by standards organizations. Any entity owning patents that may be deemed essential to NFC is invited to submit its patent for evaluation by an independent expert with a view toward contributing its essential patents to the pool license.
Noncompliant NFC–related technologies, such as smart cards, are not covered by the NFC pool license.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
China’s mobile handset market expands by 9 percent in Q1
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Driven by government stimulus programs and purchases for the Lunar New Year holiday, China’s domestic mobile-handset shipments in the first quarter of 2009, up 9 percent from 53 million units in the fourth quarter of 2008, paving the way for growth for the entire year, according to iSuppli Corp.
Sales of brand-name GSM-based mobile handsets amounted to 44 million units in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 42 million in the first quarter of 2008. Branded CDMA-based wireless phone sales reached 5.8 million units in the first quarter, up 200 percent from the same period in 2008. Domestic white-box handset sales amounted to about 8 million units during the same period, compared to 10 million in the first quarter of 2008.
iSuppli forecasts that China’s domestic handset market will amount to 238.9 million units in 2009, up 7.8 percent from 2008.
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of China’s domestic mobile handset market, based on unit shipments.
iSuppli: Forecast of China’s Domestic Handset Market Unit Shipments, 2009-2013 (Millions of Units)
Source: iSuppli, June 2009
“The first quarter is typically strong for China’s mobile-phone market due to purchases made for the Lunar New Year Holiday in January,” said Kevin Wang, director, China research, for iSuppli.
“At the same time, shipments were further boosted by demand generated from China’s stimulus programs that encourage the purchasing of electronic products. Ongoing reductions in voice-service fees and declines in average handset selling prices will assure stable growth in China’s mobile subscribers during the next five years.”
The net addition of mobile subscribers for the nation’s three wireless operators—China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom—amounted to 20 million, 5 million and 4 million, respectively, during the first quarter.
Tianyu takes third rank in Q1
Local brand Tianyu in the first quarter surpassed Motorola to become the third largest mobile handset supplier in domestic sales. Nokia and Samsung remain the leaders in the domestic market, with market shares of 34 percent and 21 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Motorola and Sony Ericsson have continued to lose market share during the past four quarters, while
local-brand OEMs such as Goinee and OPPO have continuously gained market share.
In terms of total handset shipments, ZTE in the first quarter became the largest Chinese handset OEM, with 7.2 million units shipped. Rival Huawei shipped 6.6 million handset units, putting it in the No.-2 position in the market.
Huawei, however, is the largest data card supplier in the world, and its data card shipments reached 5.1 million units in the first quarter this year. iSuppli believes that ZTE and Huawei will continue to grab market share from the international top five, especially in the developing countries.
Mobile phones get smart
With the introduction of 3G services in the country by China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, 3G service brands dubbed G3, e-surfing and WO are being promoted by the Chinese telecom operators. At present, data cards and netbooks are the main products offered by operators for 3G service users, but iSuppli expects growth in the domestic 3G handset market to accelerate in 2010.
With smart phones lining up to become the hottest mobile handset products during the next two years, operators also hope to leverage smart phones to promote 3G services in China.
For its part, China Mobile has cooperated with local handset makers to develop an Android-based TD-SCDMA smart phone named OPhone. In a parallel move, China Unicom has joined the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), while most leading Chinese handset makers are developing smart phones based on the Windows Mobile or Android operating systems.
Digital mobile TV is one of the most popular features for mobile handsets. China Mobile and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) will jointly promote TD-SCDMA terminals using the China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting (CMMB) function in China. Beyond CMMB, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC will become new popular features in China.
Sales of brand-name GSM-based mobile handsets amounted to 44 million units in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 42 million in the first quarter of 2008. Branded CDMA-based wireless phone sales reached 5.8 million units in the first quarter, up 200 percent from the same period in 2008. Domestic white-box handset sales amounted to about 8 million units during the same period, compared to 10 million in the first quarter of 2008.
iSuppli forecasts that China’s domestic handset market will amount to 238.9 million units in 2009, up 7.8 percent from 2008.
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of China’s domestic mobile handset market, based on unit shipments.
iSuppli: Forecast of China’s Domestic Handset Market Unit Shipments, 2009-2013 (Millions of Units)
Source: iSuppli, June 2009“The first quarter is typically strong for China’s mobile-phone market due to purchases made for the Lunar New Year Holiday in January,” said Kevin Wang, director, China research, for iSuppli.
“At the same time, shipments were further boosted by demand generated from China’s stimulus programs that encourage the purchasing of electronic products. Ongoing reductions in voice-service fees and declines in average handset selling prices will assure stable growth in China’s mobile subscribers during the next five years.”
The net addition of mobile subscribers for the nation’s three wireless operators—China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom—amounted to 20 million, 5 million and 4 million, respectively, during the first quarter.
Tianyu takes third rank in Q1
Local brand Tianyu in the first quarter surpassed Motorola to become the third largest mobile handset supplier in domestic sales. Nokia and Samsung remain the leaders in the domestic market, with market shares of 34 percent and 21 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Motorola and Sony Ericsson have continued to lose market share during the past four quarters, while
local-brand OEMs such as Goinee and OPPO have continuously gained market share.
In terms of total handset shipments, ZTE in the first quarter became the largest Chinese handset OEM, with 7.2 million units shipped. Rival Huawei shipped 6.6 million handset units, putting it in the No.-2 position in the market.
Huawei, however, is the largest data card supplier in the world, and its data card shipments reached 5.1 million units in the first quarter this year. iSuppli believes that ZTE and Huawei will continue to grab market share from the international top five, especially in the developing countries.
Mobile phones get smart
With the introduction of 3G services in the country by China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, 3G service brands dubbed G3, e-surfing and WO are being promoted by the Chinese telecom operators. At present, data cards and netbooks are the main products offered by operators for 3G service users, but iSuppli expects growth in the domestic 3G handset market to accelerate in 2010.
With smart phones lining up to become the hottest mobile handset products during the next two years, operators also hope to leverage smart phones to promote 3G services in China.
For its part, China Mobile has cooperated with local handset makers to develop an Android-based TD-SCDMA smart phone named OPhone. In a parallel move, China Unicom has joined the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), while most leading Chinese handset makers are developing smart phones based on the Windows Mobile or Android operating systems.
Digital mobile TV is one of the most popular features for mobile handsets. China Mobile and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) will jointly promote TD-SCDMA terminals using the China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting (CMMB) function in China. Beyond CMMB, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC will become new popular features in China.
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