Each month, we will be posting a brief recap of our posts to give our readers a quick guide to what we've covered. Each post will be categorized by AutoID technology (RFID, NFC, Barcode or Other). Check back here in the last week of each month to see what you've missed!
(Read the full post by clicking on the title)
NFC Secure Element Issue No SIM-ple Matter: Key Questions Surface at London Underground
AutoID Technology Focus: NFC
SIM-based secure elements (SEs) do not meet the performance requirements for applications—such as transportation ticketing—where customer throughput is a key metric. Well, this is at least the opinion of Shashi Verma, the Director of Customer Experience of the London Underground. Verma recently went on record stating that current SIM-based SEs are too slow to deliver the required levels of passenger throughput on London’s public transport network. The critical question of SE ownership is a contentious issue that could potentially delay the broad deployment of secure NFC applications—such as ticketing, contactless payment and security/access control.
Apple Confirms m.Wallet Application in iOS 6…
AutoID Technology Focus: NFC
...But, contrary what the NFC-related rumors swirling around Apple would suggest, this app uses QR codes, not NFC. At the company’s 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote address, the company introduced an updated version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6, which features Passbook, a new mobile wallet app that enables a range of cards, tickets, coupons and other credential types to be stored electronically in a mobile device.
NCR Makes 2D Barcode Secure Enough for ATM Cash Withdrawals
AutoID Technology Focus: NFC/Barcode
In recent posts, I have discussed some of the headwinds NFC faces in respect to achieving mainstream adoption. One of the most critical challenges facing NFC is that many of the applications it enables are achievable via other, more established technologies such as QR codes and 2D barcodes, usually with less cost and integration complexity to boot. To counter this criticism, NFC proponents are quick to point out that these competing solutions have their own shortcomings, particularly in respect to their lack of security.
Part 1 of 2: Universities "Tap" NFC for Campus Security/Access Control
AutoID Technology Focus: NFC
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: contactless payment and mobile commerce applications are only the proverbial tip of the iceberg in regards to the diversity of applications NFC enables. Security/Access control, particularly for physical (e.g. corporate/academic campus, floor, room) applications, is among the other NFC use cases VDC has been monitoring with expectations for near-term growth.
Part 2 of 2: Security/Access Control Could “Unlock” Domestic Opportunity for NFC
AutoID Technology Focus: NFC
While enterprise environments present the most obvious market opportunity for vendors of NFC-enabled Security/Access Control solutions, we believe the consumer/domestic market also has strong potential to drive near-term growth in the NFC market. As NFC-enabled smartphones increasingly win share among consumers, this domestic Security/Access Control opportunity will ripen as consumers seek to leverage NFC technology embedded in personal devices for a broader range of uses, both in- and out-of-home.
Which Application Will Drive Consumer NFC Adoption? Samsung Lets You Decide…
AutoID Technology Focus: NFC
Which NFC application will be the first to gain broad acceptance among consumers? The answer to this ongoing question is not much clearer now than it was a year ago, despite the numerous new NFC-enabled smartphones that have reached the market during the past 12 months. Many enterprises and NFC vendors are thinking ambitiously when it comes to driving consumer adoption, with use-cases like mobile payment, mobile marketing, and other relatively complex B2C applications being the cornerstones of many enterprises’ strategies. In contrast, Samsung, a leading manufacturer of NFC smartphones, is taking a more practical approach with the introduction of its TecTiles, which are essentially NFC tags with a sticker backing.
Stay tuned in July for even more expert coverage of the AutoID market.
Comments