Google joins near field communications forum

INTERNET SEARCH GIANT Google has joined the near field communications (NFC) forum as a principal member.

Other than Google joining, the big names of Intel and CSR have both upgraded their memberships to match Google's from previously being associate members of the forum. The NFC forum was founded in 2004 and is a non-profit organisation that aims to advance the adoption and implementation of NFC technology.

As principal members, the second highest membership level, firstly the companies can appoint voting representatives to the technical, marketing and compliance committees and work groups.

Secondly, they can designate individuals to run for leading positions of the committees and work groups, and lastly they can participate in the NFC Forum testing and certification program using their own in-house test labs.

Other principal members of the forum include big names in the industry such as Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG, RIM, Qualcomm and AT&T

Along with Google, the NFC forum has welcomed 31 new associate, implementer, and non-profit members. Amongst the 31 companies to join are A&D Company Ltd, Hitachi Ltd, China Telecommunication Technology Labs, Communications Global Certification Inc and AQ Corporation.

With the addition of Google to the forum, with its NFC enabled handsets like the Nexus S, and companies like Intel and CSR matching their high level of input, this could mean an increase in the speed of development and uptake of NFC technology. µ