NXP, Google Integrate NFC Open Source Software Stack in Android

NXP Semiconductors announced a strategic collaboration with Google (News - Alert) Inc. to provide a complete open source software stack for Near Field Communications (NFC). According to NXP, the NFC stack will be fully integrated and validated on Gingerbread, the latest version of Google's Android (News - Alert) operating system. 

Google also integrated NXP's NFC controller PN544 into the newly launched Nexus S phone, co-developed by Google and Samsung (News - Alert), NXP said. Media reports indicate that at last month’s Web 2.0 Summit, Google showed an unannounced handset using NFC and the Gingerbread version of Android. While the BlackBerry maker Research in Motion hinted that it would also support NFC in future products. 

With over 10,000 applications and an extensive community of developers, Android is making strong inroads into smartphones and mobile devices. With developers now able to access an open source NFC implementation, the developers are helping drive the development of new and creative applications that extend the reach of mobile devices, according to the partners.  

NFC, a short range wireless communication technology developed by NXP and others, enables the exchange of data between devices that are placed within about four inches apart. It has been gaining momentum in recent weeks. To collaborate with others and help standardize the technology, NXP co-founded NFC Forum in 2004. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the NFC Forum (News - Alert) formally unveiled its Certification Program at Cartes & IDentification in Paris. The NFC Forum Certification Program gives device manufacturers a means of establishing their products' compliance with the NFC Forum's technical specifications.

In a statement, Eric Chu (News - Alert), mobile platforms program manager for Google, said, “Android's openness has provided a great platform for accelerated innovations." He added, "We are always looking for creative ways to enhance and extend the utilities of mobile devices with new technologies. With NXP's contribution, the introduction of NFC in Android provides developers, service providers, and device manufacturers a game-changing opportunity to deliver new services while enabling users to interact with each other and the physical world in ways previously not possible."

In another statement, Ruediger Stroh, executive vice president and general manager for NXP’s Identification Business, commented, “Although only two years old, industry analysts are already suggesting that Android will be the number two mobile platform by 2014.” Plus, he continued, “Google’s adoption of the technology will be a catalyst for the industry to drive further adoption of NFC at both the handset and application levels.”

According to NXP, NFC offers consumers a high level of convenience, interactivity and security with their mobile devices, and further enhances their smartphone experience by linking the virtual world of applications with the physical environment.

Launched in 2009, NXP claims that PN544 is the world's first industry standard NFC controller, delivering a fully compliant platform for handset manufacturers and operators to introduce next generation NFC devices and services. The chip is fully compliant with all released NFC specifications on the single wire protocol connection with the SIM and the host controller interface.