SCM Microsystems will launch a new NFC Solutions Development Kit (SDK) designed to accelerate time to market for NFC readers and terminals for mobile payments, event ticketing, retail loyalty, access control and other applications.

The SDK comprises two SCM3712 NFC reader modules and one SCL3711 reader, as well as all necessary drivers, source code examples for handling Device-to-Tag and Peer-to-Peer NFC applications, ‘optimized’ software development tools, and essential documentation covering NFC and PC interfaces, according to SCM. 

New research from Informa Telecoms & Media projects that the number of NFC handset shipped worldwide is expected to leap from 44 million in 2011 to more than 630 million in 2015, comprising 40% of all new handsets.

According to Informa, NFC-enabled device sales are expected to accelerate from 2013 onwards, due to wider availability and greater choice of NFC handsets, an improved contactless POS infrastructure, and growth NFC applications such as payments, tagging/sharing, access controls, coupons, loyalty cards, etc. 

Mobile devices are poised to become the ID credential of the future. In a recent video interview, Blackboard Transact president David Marr shared his views on mobile platforms in higher ed and the impacts on campus card offices. CR80News’ Chris Corum discussed the topic with Marr in this podcast.

He describes the mobile device as “the virtual front door of the institution,” but he stresses that you can’t just leave that door propped open. “The credential that is the key to opening that door will reside in the campus card office,” he says. 

Isobar Create 48 NFC Hackathon from Isobar US on Vimeo.

Digital media agency Isobar has announced the winners of its Create 48 NFC Hackathon, an event bringing together developers to create NFC applications for next generation devices like the Google Nexus S and Nokia N9 handsets.

The Boston event drew some 40 designers and developers, as well as experts from Google, Nokia, Tieto, ICS, the MIT Enterprise Forum and startup Tagstand. The teams collaborated to produce nine working NFC prototypes in just 48 hours. 

Australia’s Communications Council, an organization representing agencies in the marketing communications industry, is pushing for manufacturers to deliver NFC handsets to Australia to spur contactless payments and mobile marketing.

According to a release posted on Mumbrella, the Comms Council believes Australia is poised to become a “world class innovator” in NFC services, although the organization feels that manufacturers have “held back” when it comes to deploying the technology. 

Isis has announced that six major phone manufacturers - HTC, LG, Motorola Mobility, RIM, Samsung Mobile and Sony Ericsson - will introduce NFC-enabled mobile devices that support Isis’ mobile wallet platform.

According to the company, these NFC-enabled phones will enable users to securely make payments, store and present loyalty cards and redeem offers at participating merchants with the tap of their phones. 

Google is experiencing a couple of minor glitches in the rollout of its nascent Google Wallet mobile payments service, according to Macworld.

The company has reported “slower than normal” wait times for adding credit and debit cards to the Google Wallet, in addition to delayed over-the-air updates to Nexus S smart phones, with some users not receiving the app at all by the promised Friday deadline.