NFC is a short-range, wireless connectivity technology that allows consumers to perform safe, contactless transactions, access digital content, and connect electronic devices with the simplicity of a single touch. Consumers with NFC-enabled mobile phones may, for example, leave their wallets at home and use their phones to conduct contactless financial transactions, or to gain electronic access to public transportation. Tags are integrated circuits that store data that can be read by NFC-enabled devices to support these applications. For example, a cinema goer with an NFC-enabled mobile phone may touch the phone to a movie poster containing an embedded NFC tag to view a preview of the movie. By standardizing the tag types and formats with the specifications, the NFC Forum is promoting interoperability across the NFC market, enabling low-cost volume production, and clearing a path to a global, cost-effective mass market. More than one billion NFC-ready tags are already deployed worldwide for use in areas such as accessing public transportation, hotel rooms, and offices. “It is essential to the adoption and growth of NFC technology that all NFC-enabled devices interoperate seamlessly and deliver a consistent user experience,” said Christophe Duverne, Chairman, NFC Forum. “By publishing these four tag types, the NFC Forum is taking great strides towards putting the power of NFC in the hands of consumers around the world.” Building on existing technology, the Forum’s tags are based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14443 Type A and B standards and Sonys FeliCa. The four tag types are all based on existing contactless products and are available commercially. The NFC Forum has mandated that the four tag types be operable with NFC devices. This mandate is the backbone of interoperability between NFC tag providers and NFC device manufacturers to ensure a uniform user experience. The tag specifications are the most recent in a series of specifications being developed by the NFC Forum. The NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) specification and four Record Type Description (RTD) specifications were released in 2006. These specifications are also available for download. rcassidy@virtualmgmt.com www.nfc-forum.org