Sony Ericsson to include NFC technology in future Xperia handsets

NXP Semiconductors has released a press release stating it will be including its near field communication (NFC) technology within future Android Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets.

The press release, which was posted on Marketwire, says Xperia smartphones 'will use NFC to further enhance its consumers' mobile experiences, creating a portfolio of smartphones that enable mobile transactions.'

NFC allows consumers to swipe a point of sale terminal (POS) with their mobile or tablet to pay for goods or services, such as a train ticket or the bill for your lunch, quickly and easily.

Future Xperia handsets will make use of Google's Wallet application - coming soon to the Android Market - and what NXP calls its NXP PN65 NFC solution, which in technical speak includes the 'NFC radio controller, the embedded secure element and NFC software.'

Jan Uddenfeldt, Chief Technology Officer at Sony Ericsson, says, 'Building on Sony Ericsson's leadership in Android and mobile gaming, the integration of near field communication into our Android-based Xperia portfolio is another step in delivering the most entertaining smartphones.

'NFC offers our consumers the ability to broaden their communication experience beyond the phone, and we are poised to drive the development of new, exciting and creative entertainment experiences.'

'This latest move from Sony Ericsson is another proof point of the strong momentum and potential of NFC,' adds Rick Clemmer, president and CEO, NXP Semiconductors.

NFC is expected to create $50 billion in revenue by 2014, with 20 per cent of all smartphones to feature the technology by the same year.

NXP co-invented the NFC technology. It also co-founded what's known as the NFC Forum in 2004 to try and standardise the technology.