HEADLINE NEWS
U.S.: Google Expands NFC-Enabled Places Service
Google’s first NFC service enables consumers with Android NFC smartphones to touch their devices to NFC tags, which are embedded in stickers or decals that local merchants can display in their windows. The Web giant has expanded the service to three cities. The consumer's phone reads the tag, which automatically pulls up information about the local business, including phone numbers, hours of operation, payment types, reviews and recommendations. Consumers can also rate or review the business from on the Google Web page on their phones and later receive more personalized local recommendations in their search results based on their opinions and those of their friends. The ratings and recommendations service was formerly called Google Places with Hotpot.
NFC-enabled Google Places is the first of many interactive services Google has planned for NFC, as it seeks to extend its huge mobile advertising and marketing presence from the Web to physical merchants. The Samsung-made Nexus S hit store shelves in December. Other Android NFC phones, such as Samsung's Galaxy S II, are expected to support the service out of the box. The NFC version of the Galaxy S II is expected on the market by mid-year. The NFC-enabled Places service could later be available on non-Android phones.
* Trusted Service Manager: Defined loosely to include companies or other organizations securely distributing, provisioning and managing applications, generally over the air, on secure elements in NFC mobile phones; or licensing their platforms for this purpose.
N/A: Not available or not applicable.
Last update: April 2011
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