The Nexus S was the first NFC-capable phone in the U.S., with the Galaxy Nexus following it. This year looks to expand the NFC landscape with manufacturers adding the technology to many new devices, some possibly being announced at MWC this week in Barcelona. This bodes well for the technology in the U.S. except for one thing… it's incompatible with Japan's version of NFC, which has been around for years and is used by millions.
Japan's payment systems use the Osaifu-Keitai standard, based on Sony's FeliCa RFID chips, but those systems are not compatible with the Type A and Type B standards that the U.S. and other countries are currently implementing. But don't worry…
Samsung, FeliCa Networks, and NXP Semiconductors are joining forces to roll out internationally-compatible NFC systems that will help make NFC payments truly global. FeliCa will not only lay out the infrastructure, but they will partner with Samsung to help develop a universal controller/secure application module, and also with NXP to help build the global NFC radio.
According to Samsung and NXP's respective press releases (see source links below), the technology will begin rolling out in 2013. Once a global standard is in play, you'll be able to tap to spend all your money anywhere in the world. Joy.
Don't have a phone with an NFC chip? Use Moneto's NFC kit and voila – instant NFC!
sources: samsung press release and NXP press release
via: theverge
