Tags:NFC

NXP Semiconductors has announced that its secure smart card and NFC chip solutions have been selected by BenQ for its first commercially available NFC cellphones. The Taiwan company has also selected NXP''s NFC solutions for its entire new line of NFC-enabled handsets.

The BenQ T80 phone is claimed to be the first handset to store NFC applications in the SD memory card. The microSD card will host a range of NFC applications for mobile wallet, transport ticketing and security to be stored on the embedded, highly secure NXP SmartMX chip. For service providers, storing NFC applications on the SD memory card makes it possible to host a wide variety of applications on a single integrated device. Consumers will be able to remove and reuse the microSD card when they switch to other NFC phones.

The T80 will be also equipped with the NXP PN532 NFC chip featuring new middleware from NXP, making it the first phone on the market that is in line with the latest NFC Forum specifications, according to NXP. The new middleware facilitates the interconnection of NFC devices and seamless interoperability with the existing contactless infrastructure.

"NXP has been a critical partner as we work toward a seamless rollout of our first NFC phones, starting with the BenQ T80," said Barry Dai, manager of product business management team, BenQ. "We''re strongly encouraged by the demand generated by highly successful NFC trials in Taiwan ！from transportation to mobile banking and payment services ！and look forward to continued collaboration with major industry partners to enable the best NFC user experience possible."

"The commercial debut of the BenQ T80 phone will be a significant milestone, as BenQ joins other leading handset makers in supporting NFC," said Steffen Steinmeier, global business development manager for NFC, NXP. "As co-inventor of NFC and founding member of the NFC Forum, NXP is pleased to see the growing momentum behind NFC adoption and standards support in the Asia Pacific region."

The BenQ NFC phone will be used for applications such as electronic ticketing and payment for passengers of Taiwan''s transportation system, which will take advantage of the contactless functionality embedded in the microSD card. Other applications will include electronic wallet services and access control for private security systems.


Source: eetasia