Philips Electronics has helped pioneer the Near-Field Communication standard. Using a combination of a chip, an antenna and some software, the NFC enables the wireless exchange of data between mobile phones and other wireless devices at a small cost to the consumer.
Philips now has partnered with Sony and Nokia to build a “ubiquitous open infrastructure” of NFC devices incorporating smart-key and smart-card functions, allowing consumers to use their phones or PDAs for wireless commerce.
The first products using the technology are expected by the end of the year.