Sirit enables NFC support for Windows Mobile OS

Sirit has announced a collaboration with Microsoft to bring NFC and contactless support to the Windows Mobile operating system. By leveraging Sirit's embedded software and technology, the companies aim to speed the adoption of NFC and contactless technology in Windows Mobile powered smartphones and the development of Windows Mobile powered NFC applications.

NFC is expected to have a significant impact on mobile phones and devices as well as consumer electronics. Leading analysts predict that up to 1/3 of all mobile phones will be NFC-equipped within the next 3-5 years which will enable mobile phones to operate as electronic wallets, electronic tickets and access control devices.

To date, a significant barrier to the rollout of NFC devices and applications has been the lack of readily available support for NFC and contactless in embedded operating systems. To overcome this barrier, Microsoft intends to develop application programming interfaces (APIs) and other native support in the Windows Mobile operating system for NFC and contactless technology, thereby providing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and applications developers with a consistent and easy-to-use platform for developing NFC devices and solutions. Microsoft will use Sirit technology and expertise as an important part of its development and testing program.

“As a Sponsor level member of the NFC Forum, Microsoft believes in the significant benefits that NFC and contactless technology bring to the wide range of devices powered by the Windows Mobile operating system," says David Turner, director of mobile communications business, Microsoft. "Sirit demonstrates NFC expertise and technology, as evidenced by their work helping OEMs bring NFC products to market. We plan to utilize this expertise and Sirit's NFC software technology to bring NFC and contactless support to the Windows Mobile operating system.”