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While not a replacement for the embedded chip or other secure elements in NFC phones, the trusted execution environment on ARM-based smartphone processors can complement security of NFC applications, noted U.S.-based Qualcomm.

French mobile operators, banks and vendors say they are finally ready for a nationwide launch of NFC payments this year, a move that follows years of preparations. 

Canadian mobile operator Telus Communications has developed an NFC-based physical- and logical-access control service, which it plans to trial with 500 employees this year before launching an offer.

While awareness and use of NFC still is substantially behind that of QR codes when it comes to consumers using interactive advertising displays, NFC appears to be gaining ground.

The NFC enabled Lexus ad in the April 2012 issue of Wired generated much interest in print advertising applications for NFC, but actual take-up among advertisers and publishers appears slow, and there haven’t been any high-profile launches since.

Inside Secure co-founder Bruno Charrat, who helped guide the NFC and contactless chip vendor’s technology roadmap for more than 17 years, has left the company.

GE Money Bank in the Czech Republic refers to its launch of NFC services as SIM-centric, but it’s the bank, not partner Telefónica O2, that issues its customers NFC SIM cards.

Turkcell’s chief of new technology, who played a key role in the launch of Turkcell’s mobile wallet, has left the telco to join a venture capital firm.

While Samsung Electronics has made known a major part of its embedded secure-element strategy for its NFC phones–with its work with Visa, MasterCard Worldwide and likely other payment schemes–Samsung isn’t the only device maker planning to enable applications on its NFC phones.

Near Field Communication was the talk of Web 2.0 Summit early on, as Google announced that it will be included in a forthcoming phone, and powered by the next version of Android. (InformationWeek)