Yale demos NFC door locks solutions at CES for Android, iOS and BB

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Yale demos NFC door locks solutions at CES for Android, iOS and BB

We have reported on Yale and their NFC door locks before. However, we have now seen the locks in action and have far more details about how Yale (an ASSA ABLOY company) plans to bring their solutions to market. The Yale NFC door locks are an exciting prospect because they represent quality products for access control that are built for consumers. Yes, later this year we will be able to cost effectively buy NFC door locks for our homes, offices, and anywhere else we would like to secure and use access control facilities.

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BlackBerry Tag deployed already in OS 7.1 update for NFC sharing

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BlackBerry Tag deployed already in OS 7.1 update with NFC goodness all round

You have probably heard of BlackBerry Tag and its NFC capabilities. We popped over to the Blackberry booth at CES to see Blackberry Tag in action so we could see improvements made to the way the OS deals with NFC. Although we couldn’t see how the new 7.1 OS deals with NFC tags, which was a major issue when the NFC capable BlackBerry smartphones launched, we did see its beaming or sharing features in action. We must say that BlackBerry Tag worked flawlessly in the demo we received from Annu Dawar, who is a Product Manager for Research in Motion.

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ISIS tries to run internationally before masters crawling domestically

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ISIS tries to run internationally before masters crawling domestically

ISIS has said in an interview with Bloomberg that it has held discussions to explore international opportunities for their particular NFC mobile wallet and trusted service manager services. ISIS, as you probably know by this point, is a joint venture between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile with one aim to control NFC mobile wallets and NFC payments for member mobile network operators subscribers. ISIS hasn’t launched anything at this point, and from the rumors we are hearing from industry insiders, they haven’t been able to put together a secure NFC mobile wallet despite putting pen to paper with C-Sam (a very capable NFC mobile wallet all by itself), Gemalto, and various other payment providers who include Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover.

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Google Wallet on Verizon Galaxy Nexus root free so it is safe to use!

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Google Wallet on Verizon Galaxy Nexus root free so it is safe to use!

Over the weekend we let you know the clever devs over at XDA Developers had rooted and hacked Google Wallet on to the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. We also advised that Galaxy Nexus owners should hold off from hacking the Verizon Galaxy Nexus because rooting the device could expose some sensitive data that a thief could get hold of. Just a day later and XDA Developers has released a version of the Google Wallet APK that doesn’t require rooting the device, and so you can now install the NFC mobile wallet safely!

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Google Wallet already hacked to work on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

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Google Wallet already hacked to work on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

It has been a couple of days since the Galaxy Nexus has been launched on Verizon sans Google Wallet. Verizon is charging $299 for the latest Ice Cream Sandwich, NFC touting smartphone, and Amazon has already half priced it down to $149.99. The Free Press has written a letter to the FCC requesting that Verizon is investigated for not allowing Google Wallet on its network and for what the organization calls “blocking the app”. Well, the developers over at XDA-Developers have already hacked Google Wallet to work on the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon’s network. It’s been a busy week for the Galaxy Nexus. The news that the Galaxy Nexus can run Google Wallet, however, has been tempered by a report that some insecurities have been found in Google Wallet when running on a rooted NFC smartphone.

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Who wants a half price Verizon Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone?

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Within the space of a few hours the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon has lost half of its purchase price

We knew the Samsung Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone wouldn’t last at the premium price of $299 for very long, but even we didn’t think its price would be cut in half within a few hours of launch on Verizon. It has though, and Amazon are currently retailing the Samsung Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone for a very tempting $149.99. That gets you the Android Ice Cream Sandwich touting, Face Unlock biometric boasting, Android Beam slinging pure Google experience phone.

Source: Amazon

Via: BGR

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launched on Verizon finally

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launched on Verizon finally

Ah, what a relief to no longer have the need to speak about when Verizon will launch the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone. It’s done, it has happened and it’s sans Google Wallet. For us, the Galaxy Nexus specifically on Verizon has lost its luster. But if you still have a penchant for your own slice of Ice Cream Sandwich, you can head over to the Verizon Wireless website or pop into your local store. Do remember it’s nearly the holidays though and try not to give the Verizon retail staff members a hard time. It’s not their fault Verizon has acted like a complete…[enter your description here].

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Letter filed with FCC requesting Verizon investigation for blocking Google Wallet [Updated]

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Letter filed with FCC requesting Verizon investigation for blocking Google Wallet [Updated]

Yesterday, Free Press filed a letter with the FCC against Verizon urging the Feds to investigate the “blocking” of Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone. Well, it was bound to happen that a consumer protection group would tackle an Isis MNO about treating data in different ways and challenging the FCC to uphold their newly established powers to stop this from happening. The irony is that Verizon has been the strongest critic of net neutrality and it is now them who have been placed in the crosshairs of net neutrality organizers.

“Free Press believes that Verizon Wireless may be denying subscribers’ access to third-party mobile payment applications because it is part of a joint venture to develop its own mobile payment technology, called Isis,” the organization stated in their release.

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launches 15th Dec? We’re so over this!

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launches 15th Dec? We’re so over this!

Bored of hearing the next projected date of when the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone will hit Verizon? We feel you. It all seemed exciting and fun at the backend of October when Google made the announcement with Samsung, but the subject has since become one of torture. Will it have NFC? How much will it cost? What size is the display? When will Verizon release it? Why is Verizon fighting with Google over Google Wallet? When will it launch? When will it release? How much will it cost? When will Verizon finally let it loose to the market?

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AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II rocking NFC after custom ROM

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AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II rocking NFC after custom ROM

As you may well know the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II has dormant NFC capabilities. They are only dormant because AT&T has had NFC locked off at the software level and that has frustrated many NFC fans in the States. All because of Isis, yada yada yada… We knew custom ROMs were available, but we had never thought to write a post about it until some of the UPM RFID team let us know they had managed to enable NFC in their Samsung Galaxy S II on AT&T. We still think it’s crazy that an NFC tag firm like UPM RFID had to go through installing a custom ROM in the first place to use an NFC smartphone, but that’s another discussion for another day. So, if you are one of the unfortunate souls who have an AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II know that you can enable NFC on your phone by following some instructions and downloading a couple of pieces of software.

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Isis to use Gemalto as its TSM for its NFC mobile wallet

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Isis to use Gemalto as its TSM for its NFC mobile wallet

Okay everyone, brace for impact, we have an Isis post for you because the NFC joint venture made up from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile has today announced it has picked Gemalto as their Trusted Service Manager. If you are new to these parts, a Trusted Service Manager, or TSM, is the service that manages and provisions secure data to the secure element in an NFC smartphone. That secure element can come in the form of an NFC SIM, an NFC microsSD card, or the preferred (and arguably more secure) embedded secure element. Mobile OS’ don’t have access to the secure element to write and change data, so third party services are used for the secure management of data and apps.

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NFC stocks? welcome to the NFC funding paradox faced by startups

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NFC stocks? Welcome to the NFC funding paradox faced by startups

NFC has faced a few paradoxes since its inception and NFC Stocks and NFC funding is just the latest iteration of some of the challenges Near Field Communication has faced in its rise to ubiquity. We have said it before and we will say it again, NFC has the ability and potential to change the way we do most things by bringing frictionless physical interactions and the web together for powerful information discovering and sensor integration in most products and services we use.

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Verizon furious at Google for Galaxy Nexus / Google Wallet statement [Exclusive]

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Verizon furious at Google for Galaxy Nexus / Google Wallet statement

As you can probably imagine we have been reaching out far and wide to get some more information about what actually is going on with Verizon and its distinct dislike of Google Wallet. Our search revealed that Verizon execs are “livid” with Google for supposedly making a statement about whether or not Verizon intends to allow Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus. We have reported for sometime how contentious the issue of Google Wallet has been between Google and Verizon and now Verizon’s top brass is said to be spitting chips about Google going public about Google Wallet.

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A question of ownership of the secure element for NFC mobile wallets

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A question of ownership of the secure element with regards to NFC mobile wallets

A big question surrounding the wallet wars is concentrated around who owns the secure element. The focus is misplaced, if that is the place where MNOs and service providers are focusing their efforts. Yesterday we posted about Verizon’s statements about the Galaxy Nexus where they obviously either made an error in their statement or were intentionally attempting to mislead the media about why Google Wallet would not be allowed on the Galaxy Nexus.

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Verizon taking a media beating over Google Wallet, plays coy

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Verizon taking a media beating over Google Wallet, plays coy about its intentions with regards to Isis

Well, it finally started – Verizon is being called to task about their position on Google Wallet and allowing consumers to use whichever services they want on their NFC smartphones. If you are a regular here at NFC Rumors, you will know we haven’t been keen about how Isis members have treated NFC and NFC services for consumers. However, the Galaxy Nexus has taken this industry known issue into the main gadget media today as consumers start to ask “can I use Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus?” The answer is no and Verizon are throwing mud in different directions to try and relieve themselves of any blame, and what they are saying is probably not true. Ah, PR departments. You have to love ‘em.

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Galaxy Nexus NFC phone set to hit Verizon for $199 on 8th December?

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone set to hit Verizon for $199 on 8th December?

When the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone is going to be released and for how much has been a mystery. However, recent leaks may have finally found the answers to those questions. The much anticipated NFC smartphone was caught on a flash ad that was released early by mistake, and it showed the Galaxy Nexus priced at $199.99 on a two year contract. That ad was seen on Android Police, Phandroid and Droid Forums. It was also reported by Engadget, which suggests it’s a little more definite than a simple anomaly. That same ad linked to a page that was unavailable and the URL and the title to that page contained a date of the 29th of November, which we think may be when the Ice Cream Sandwich NFC smartphone may be given its official release date.

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Google and Apple will force MNOs to play nice with NFC mobile wallets

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Google and Apple will force MNOs to play nice with NFC mobile wallets says ABI Research

ABI Research has gone out on a limb by stating that Google Wallet and Apple will force mobile network operators to cooperate in the mobile wallet wars. ABI goes further to project that MNO market share will erode between 2012 and 2016 as Google and Apple claim loyal users. We hear similar sentiments daily about how MNOs will ultimately have to give way to a free market approach, as heavy weights show they can take consumers away from networks that don’t support a particular NFC mobile wallet that a consumer wants to use.

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Amazon BlackFriday deal busts NFC smartphones down to 1 cent

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Amazon BlackFriday deal busts NFC smartphones down to 1 cent

Amazon has busted all smartphones it stocks for Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, including a few NFC smartphones, down to a penny up until Cyber Monday. So, if you have wanted that NFC Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket 4G that rocks LTE or a BlackBerry Bold 9930 ready for BlackBerry Tag when it is released soon, now may be the time to make the jump. All deals require an eligible upgrade or a new line of service and you have to, of course, sign on with a 2 year contract. Amazon is even paying you $100 if you take a mobile hotspot as part of your agreement, as long as the phone you chose supports the feature. So, if you play your cards right you could find yourself being paid $100 for getting the NFC smartphone of your choice.

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Galaxy Nexus coming to Canada December 8th on Bell and Virgin Mobile

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Galaxy Nexus coming to Canada December 8th on Bell and Virgin Mobile

Yep, that’s right – the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone is hitting Canada on Bell and Virgin Mobile December 8th. You can pre-order the Galaxy Nexus today. Pre-ordering the highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone early ensures you are among the first to get your grubby mits on the NFC totting Ice Cream Sandwich device “as soon as it’s available” but that doesn’t mean you will have the device in your hands on launch day.

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UK NFC joint venture cannot be allowed to continue

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UK NFC joint venture cannot be allowed to continue

If you dress a pig up as a lamb, it’s still a pig and that appears to be becoming increasingly clearer in the debacle that has become known as the UK NFC joint venture. It doesn’t matter if the UK NFC joint venture says its existence is based on fueling mass adoption of NFC mobile wallet usage when it is clearly showing that its intentions are anti-competitive and not in consumers’ interests. NFC Rumors hasn’t been a fan of the UK NFC joint venture since it was announced back in early June.

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone for Verizon official with specs and videos

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone for Verizon gets official with specs and videos

Finally, more details about the Galaxy Nexus are becoming available with a specification sheet and a multitude of videos. Interestingly, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus departs slightly from the version announced in Hong Kong earlier this month. The changes are subtle and revolve around a larger battery, which has no doubt been included because LTE is known to suck you dry of juice quicker than 3G. These differences also are related to the CDMA versus the HSPA+ version that Google showed off.

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Google Wallet swallows Google Checkout to become more PayPal-esque

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Google Wallet swallows Google Checkout to become more PayPal-esque

The Google news this morning is that Google Wallet is going to take on the Google Checkout duties also unifying Google’s payment services into one app. This move will not surprise many as it makes complete sense to have one service that deals with both online and offline payments. However, this does give Google competitive advantages over competitors as its NFC mobile payment aspirations leap frog potential competitors further.

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GSMA Mobile Network Operators commit to supporting NFC

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GSMA Mobile Network Operators commit to supporting NFC on their networks

The GSMA are reporting that 45 Mobile Network Operators around the world have committed to supporting NFC. This comes on the back of the GSMA publishing mobile NFC specifications to drive interoperability. Both China Mobile and China Unicom have joined the growing list of MNOs that have agreed to support SIM based NFC solutions. Those two MNOs alone account for a whopping 800 million subscribers who will be able to use NFC secure services using a single-wire protocol solution. We are not sure that SIM based NFC is the best, but with over 45 MNOs globally supporting Near Field Communication, it is a step in the right direction for adoption.

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Galaxy Nexus speeds past the FCC with NFC

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Galaxy Nexus speeds past the FCC, getting ready to hit Verizon this month with NFC onboard The Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone saga continues as the handset passes through the FCC without a firm release date. NFC is on board as is LTE, however, the docs point out that Verizon specifically asked for VoLTE (Voice over [...]

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RIM announces BlackBerry Bold 9790 NFC smartphone

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RIM announces BlackBerry Bold 9790 NFC smartphone

We have known that the BlackBerry Bold 9790 NFC smartphone has been coming for months now. For the longest time we knew this phone by its Bellagio code name, and there have been leaks galore revealing most of the specifications to the next BlackBerry Bold family member to boast NFC. However, now it’s official and RIM has confirmed all the rumors, videos and leaked shots. Being another member of the BlackBerry Bold family, the 9790 comes with slightly different features to its 9900 / 9930 brethren.

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