NFC technology 'will be on mobiles soon'
Wednesday, 23 February 2011 11:49
Advancements in electronic design will make near field communications (NFC) technology commonplace on mobile phones in the near future, experts have predicted.
NFC enables handsets to communicate wirelessly with objects only a few centimetres away, meaning phones have the potential to be used as debit cards or transport passes, the Associated Press reports.
Co-chief executive officer of Research in Motion Jim Balsillie was quoted as saying at the recent Mobile World Congress event that "many, if not most" of the manufacturer's phones will feature NFC capabilities by the end of 2011.
And Nick Holland of research company Yankee Group said the technology will represent a significant step forward for mobile phones, similar to the introduction of cameras and GPS navigation.
Prior to MWC getting underway in Barcelona, senior analyst at Juniper Research Howard Wilcox was quoted by Electronics Weekly as saying supermarkets will have NFC capabilities as early as this year.
