NXP, ST, Trusted Logic and Stollmann to promote hardware-independent NFC API for Android

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND & EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS: STMicroelectronics and NXP announced, market leading NFC vendors, along with Trusted Logic and Stollmann, have announced that the companies are to promote a common hardware-independent API (Application Programming Interface) for NFC (Near Field Communication) applications on mobile phones and other devices running Android.

The companies will release an update of their recently published Android APIs to the community as a proposal for a mutual standard. The common NFC API is seen as a central resource enabling developers to create NFC applications to be distributed through app stores.

This will enable mobile phone users to access a new range of contactless applications capable of conveniences such as mobile payments, transport and event ticketing as well as data sharing directly from their Android phone.

The API is a result of consultations with various eco-systems partners, including mobile network operators, handset manufacturers and NFC controller providers. It is supported by protocol stacks that are compatible with major NFC chip platforms from STMicroelectronics and NXP and can be used for mobile phones, mobile Internet devices, PCs and more.

"NXP has always been at the forefront of mobile transactions and is committed to enable NFC on Android-based devices jointly with other industry leaders," said Henri Ardevol, General Manager Secure Transactions, NXP Semiconductors. "We are pleased to collaborate with STMicroelectronics, Stollmann, Trusted Logic and other partners to define and standardize a truly open NFC API for Android."

"Technical collaboration between leading NFC-protocol stack vendors and NFC-chip manufacturers is both a major and necessary step towards massive adoption of NFC in the Android environment," said Laurent Degauque, Telecom & NFC Marketing Manager, STMicroelectronics. "This joint and open approach, shared by four key players, will pave the way for the successful deployment of NFC technology and create increased confidence for customers."

Philippe Dubois, General Manager Professional and Consumer Devices, Trusted Logic, comments: "A single common API agreed on by the major solution providers is essential to develop the NFC ecosystem within Android and meet our customers' expectations."

"A well maintained protocol stack that conforms to standards and supports the features of NFC is the key to make NFC a successful and flexible technology and to attract developers to write applications for NFC on Android a common API is another one," said Christian Luhrs, General Manager, Stollmann.