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Near Field Communication and all contactless technology

Tag supplier Identive Group shipped nearly 15 million NFC tags during the fourth quarter of 2012, which CEO Ayman Ashour described as a quarterly record for the company.

The Walt Disney Co. is tapping contactless and NFC technology to offer a more interactive experience for its theme park and video gaming customers.

Marketers and distributors of the Australia release of the action movie Zero Dark Thirty are tapping NFC technology to help promote the film. 

Visa Europe predicted that by the end of 2013, there would be 40 issuers with live NFC or contactless-mobile payment services across Europe and 80 smartphones certified by Visa to handle the payments.

U.S. Bank has announced the “beta” launch of its Go Mobile service in two cities, using microSDs and an NFC-enabled case for the iPhone.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S.-based mobile device accessories maker Incipio plans to make its iPhone 4 and 4S contactless case designed for use with the Isis Mobile Wallet available in the first quarter, the company told NFC Times. That depends on certification, however.

Australia-based Tapit Media, which implements NFC tag advertising and marketing campaigns, has received US$2.4 million (A$2.3 million) in Series A funding, the company announced.

Smart card and security company Gemalto this week joined the CAC 40 index in Paris, which counts as members such blue-chip French companies as Total, BNP Paribas, Carrefour and Airbus jet maker EADS.

Australia’s No. 2 telco has launched a second NFC trial this fall and plans a commercial launch in 2013, the second operator in the country to disclose plans for a commercial rollout of NFC payment.

France Telecom-Orange and China Mobile, the largest mobile operators in their respective home markets, have signed a memo of understanding to work together to speed the commercialization of NFC SIM cards.

Transport for London officially announced the launch of the first phase of its open-loop payment service, allowing riders to tap their contactless credit, debit and charge cards to pay fares on more than 8,000 buses.

U.S.-based chip maker Broadcom, whose Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combination wireless chips are found in such popular smartphones as the Samsung Galaxy S III and Apple iPhone 5, has announced NFC support for one of its next wireless combo chips.