NFC News
Is the world ready for NFC?
Jun 4th
A recent quarterly survey conducted by the eDigital Research organization in March 2012 surveyed 2,078 UK residents, both Smartphone and non-Smartphone owners, on their general knowledge and NFC technology usage.
The survey had a number of stimulating findings indicating that mainly there are still a high percentage of people who are not aware of what NFC technology is and those who may have heard of it may not be entirely sure how to use it.
The results specify that mainly it is the responsibility of those within the technology industry and retailers to work together to improve the general public’s knowledge of; what exactly NFC payments are, how they work, security features and the overall benefits; as ease and convenience were seen as the primary benefits while an astounding 32% of people surveyed did not see any benefits at all.
The good news is that those who do have an NFC enabled Smartphone and have tried the technology are likely to use it again. The survey found that “89% of those who had made a mobile contactless payment say they are likely to use the technology again in the near future,” (eDigital Research) demonstrating that the benefits of NFC payments are visible and will keep users coming back.
From a customer’s perspective as to what can be done to improve the situation three key recommendations were made:
- More information: 10.34% of consumers feel that more information is needed to help increase awareness.
- Better/Tighter security: 22.8% of respondents do not feel confident enough that there is enough security surrounding Contactless Mobile Payments.
- More pay points: 8.75% of respondents felt that the lack of available places where they could use Contactless Mobile Payments was holding back the technology. To improve, retailers and technology providers need to look at integrating more pay points around stores, as well as branching out to all locations.
What really is crucial in these findings is that the lack of knowledge consumers have about NFC payments in general most likely greatly impacts the number of people who are unsure whether NFC payments are secure or not. “This time around it’s up to retailers and technology providers to push for this next revolution of the market. People need to work together to increase consumer awareness, and in turn, settle fears and tackle key issues, such as security.” (Derek Eccleston, head of research at eDigitalResearch)
Read more about the results of the survey from eDigital research
Learn more about NFC payment technology including; security features, usage, benefits and opportunities
Relevant and Innovative: PayPal announces new POS solutions
May 31st
Last month PayPal unveiled its PayPal Payment solution which allows retailers to provide online and offline payments with a PayPal compatible POS system. Among the brands that will feature this service are: Abercrombie & Fitch, Advance Auto Parts, Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, Foot Locker, Guitar Center, Jamba Juice, JC Penney, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Nine West, Office Depot, Rooms To Go, Tiger Direct and Toys “R” Us. The large variety of brands adopting this technology emphasizes that in-store solutions are for retailers of all products and sizes.
PayPal’s solution ensures retailers do not need to install any complicated equipment, instead because PayPal has signed contracts with POS manufacturers Ingenico and more recently a contract signed with both VeriFone and Equinox, “the number one and number three point-of-sale terminal manufacturers in the world,” (David Marcus, President of PayPal writes on the company blog) ensures the technology is already integrated by the POS manufacturer.
PayPal emphasizes the need for retailers to engage with their customers at every point in the journey, or risk becoming irrelevant. The features of PayPal’s solution are that it provides customers with a better shopping experience, extends loyalty programs and allows retailers to engage and connect with clients on multiple channels.
“PayPal’s offline solutions are much more than just a way to pay. We’re helping merchants connect with consumers at every stage in the shopping cycle. Before they come into the store, while they’re in the store, or even after they’ve left. We’re able to drive consumers through a retailer’s doors with relevant offers, coupons and discounts, then maintain a relationship with that consumer that keeps bringing them back to the retailer, in store or online.” (David Marcus, PayPal Blog)
Read more about the features of the PayPal offline/POS solution
Read more about Mobile Shopping Solutions
Samsung prepares for NFC with Samsung Galaxy III, Google Wallet being rethought
May 29th
The shortcomings of the Google Wallet have been a recent discussion topic of bloggers and other publications and according to Bloomberg, Google is now reconsidering its Wallet strategy. 
The adoption of the Google Wallet system has been less than expected and now Google may be considering using an incentive to entice carriers to adopt the Google Wallet. This strategy could even include perks such as the sharing of Google Wallets revenue’s with telecom providers in the hopes of increasing the implementation of the service. (Engadget)
According to Bloomberg, Google is also considering moving towards the adoption of in store terminals, a feature of NFC payments that other E-Wallet providers have been working on since the get go.
But, while Google considers its strategy of approach for NFC payments, more cell phone manufacturers such as electronic giant Samsung are making the preparations for NFC payment technology with their own systems in mind. Samsung recently confirmed that the next flagship phone, the Galaxy S III will contain an embedded chip to support NFC payments.
The features of the Galaxy S III include; enhanced security features and both proximity and online payment systems, which could all be part of Samsung’s own Wallet strategy.
The system would likely support the already established NFC payment systems such as Visa’s V.me and the MasterCard PayPass, according to NFC Times.
Although the Galaxy III will contain an NFC chip, whether the embedded chip will be activated or not is still in question. In markets such as the US, the telecom providers may have the final say as to whether or not the feature will be enabled for use.
Samsung’s progress raises the discussion of whether other mobile manufacturers will adopt their own Wallet systems for NFC payments, perhaps in a way that can be better integrated with other existing NFC payment technology.
Read the Full Press Release from Samsung about the features of the Samsung Galaxy S III.
Read more about Bloombergs comments on the Google Wallet
Canada is at the top, in terms of market readiness for NFC payment technology
May 21st
All you have to do is “Tap & Go”…
In the next few months there will be an increase in the number of credit card and telecommunications companies enabling NFC payment technology for various Smartphones. In terms of market readiness for the “Tap & Go” payment feature, Canada is at the top of the list.
It’s no surprise though, because Canada has the right audience for this type of technology as Canadians are among the highest number of Smartphone owners worldwide. There are in addition several signature Canadian brands that have already enabled this type of payment technology.
Canada is seen to be an optimistic market for credit card companies such as MasterCard, as the receptiveness of Canadian’s to this type of technology is well known.
“Over 10% of MasterCard transactions in Canada are contactless, just waiting for smartphone enablement,” Ed McLaughlin, MasterCard’s chief emerging payments officer, said last week at a presentation during the International CTIA Wireless show in New Orleans.
MasterCard has recently certified four blackberry models for the Canadian market including the Blackberry Bold 9900 and 9790 and the Blackberry Curve 9360 and 9380.
Read more about the development of NFC payments in Canada
Read the release of guidelines for NFC payments in Canada
Read more about NFC
Carrefour City launches mobile shopping service with NFC solution, ‘Mon Panier’.
May 18th
Carrefour City has launched a mobile shopping service ‘Mon Panier’ that is based on the retail NFC solution, Airshop by Airtag. 
This service is up and running at the St. Lazarre Carrefour City location in Paris, the first of several stores to be equipped with the ‘Mon Panier’ retail NFC solution, in the next few weeks.
‘Mon Panier’ offers ample convenience’s for Carrefour City’s customers, who can now place an order and pay for purchases from the convenience of a Smartphone.
All you need to do is:
- Place the order from your Smartphone
- Within two hours the Carrefour City staff will have prepared the order
- Upon store arrival, just go to the ‘Mon Panier’ kiosk to identify yourself by either tapping your NFC mobile device to the kiosk screen with a built in NFC reader, or by placing the phone beneath the QR code reader on the bottom right of the kiosk
In addition, the ‘Mon Panier’ service, has no minimum purchase amount and no delivery or pick-up fees! It is a 100% free service!
Read more about the Carrefour City ‘Mon Panier’ shopping service.
Mastercard responds to Visa’s digital wallet with the Mastercard PayPass.
May 11th
“On May, 7 2012 Mastercard announced PayPass Wallet Services, a new global offering for banks, merchants and partners that will make it faster and easier for their customers to make purchases in stores or online by allowing them to securely pay with a simple click of the mouse, touch of the tablet screen or tap of the smartphone,” according to Mastercard’s press release.
The wallet is said to be launched in the third quarter in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia first, before the PayPass technology is extended elsewhere around the ‘globe’.
The differentiating characteristics of Mastercard’s PayPass from Visa’s V.me wallet is that it enables banks and merchants to customize their own digital wallets, so that Mastercard’s branding is not the primary focus of attention.
Additionally, Mastercard’s contactless and online payments will be launched under one brand whereas Visa is going to offer two brands, V.me wallet and Visa payWave.
Because over spending is a concern for PayPass users, Mastercard’s wallet will offer a variety of pro-consumer services including; account look-up before purchases, spending control and alerts and delivery of targeted offers coupons and loyalty programs.
Read the full press release about the features and benefits of the Mastercard PayPass
Read more about the difference between Visa V.me and the Mastercard PayPass
MasterCard is leading the way in credit card companies that support the PayPass application.
May 7th
MasterCard is leading the way for credit card companies that support the PayPass application. Currently, several more Smartphones have been certified for use with the MasterCard PayPass technology. In total 17 Smartphones have been approved for this technological development. Some of the phones have knowingly had the Near Field Communications (NFC) technology such as the LG Viper 4G LTE and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+, however new additions to the list of approved Smartphones include; BlackBerry Bold 9900 / 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9360 / 9380.
“In the near future, millions of phones will ship with NFC technology embedded within them. The new PayPass Ready identifier will help consumers make informed device purchasing decisions by providing a visual mark that indicates devices are certified to make simple, smart and secure payments via the MasterCard PayPass network,” said Mung Ki Woo, group executive, Mobile at MasterCard.
Near field communication’s technology will allow customers to make secure, contactless payments at certified merchants around the world.
Read the full MasterCard press release for all of the details as well as the full list of Smartphones enabled for this technology.
Read more about the benefits of the MasterCard Pay Pass
WIMA NFC MONACO 11-13 avril 2012, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco
Mar 19th
6e Congrès mondial d’applications, produits et services NFC
WIMA est le premier Salon mondial offrant des conférences et un espace d’exposition exclusivement dédiés aux services, solutions et produits NFC. Cette manifestation rassemble l’intégralité de l’écosystème NFC, accueillant les plus grands noms du secteur, aux côtés de startups, de développeurs d’applications, de revendeurs et prestataires de services, représentant une très grande variété de domaines et métiers impliqués dans le monde de la NFC, tant verticalement qu’horizontalement. More >
WIMA NFC MONACO April 11 – 13, 2012, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco
Mar 19th
6th Global Applications, Products & Services Congress
WIMA is the leading global conference and exhibition exclusively dedicated to NFC services applications and, products. The event brings together the entire ecosystem with both transversal and vertical sectors from industry leaders to startups, and from application developers to merchants and service providers spanning a wide variety of industries.
Allemagne : ça roule pour le NFC !
Apr 27th
Forte de deux années d’expérimentation, la Deutsche Bahn, compagnie ferroviaire allemande, vient de confirmer son attrait pour la technologie sans contact !