By Kristin Bent, CRN
Inside Secure, a French semiconductor manufacturer specializing in solutions for secure mobile transactions, announced Wednesday it will be providing Intel (NSDQ: INTC) with its near field communication (NFC) products as part of the two company’s recently signed technology transfer agreement.
The agreement provides Intel with access to Inside Secure’s software, firmware and core hardware technology for development of future Intel products. Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group will also be able to access scalable NFC solutions based on Inside Secure’s MicroRead, SecuRead and Open NFC products.
NFC is a standards-based, short-range wireless technology that requires a distance of four centimeters or less to initiate a connection between devices. It also allows smartphone users to securely share information by simply tapping their phones against another NFC-enabled device. Smartphone vendors are becoming increasingly interested in NFC’s ability to securely perform contactless transactions, especially financial transactions and payments. NFC, for example, is the driving force behind Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s new Google Wallet product, which allows Android users to simply tap their phone upon check-out at any participating location to transmit credit card information.
Inside Secure said that its agreement with Intel marks a significant milestone for both the company and the future of the NFC industry, as it will help nudge the emerging technology towards full-scale market adoption.
"We are very excited to have this opportunity to work alongside Intel in the development of scalable NFC solutions for the industry,” said Charles Walton, chief operating officer for Inside Secure, in a statement. "Working with an industry leader like Intel will play a significant role in the mainstream rollout of NFC."
