Intel Signs Deal For Adding NFC to Future Chips

NFC technology is officially coming to Intel products in the near future, backing up reports that Intel-based smartphones and ultrabooks would support the technology.

On Wednesday INSIDE Secure said that it entered an agreement with Intel that will see its near-field communication (NFC) products and technologies integrated into future Intel products. What those products are is unknown at this point, and neither company was forthcoming with additional details after the announcement was made.

"The agreement marks a significant milestone for INSIDE Secure and the future of the NFC industry, helping move this emerging technology towards full-scale market adoption," INSIDE Secure said in a press release. "The agreement gives Intel access to INSIDE’s software, firmware and core hardware technology for development of future Intel products. In addition, INSIDE will provide Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group with access to scalable NFC solutions based on INSIDE’s MicroRead, SecuRead and Open NFC products."

Previous reports have indicated that NFC technology will be present in future ultrabooks, granting consumers the ability to make quick online payments with the swipe of their smartphone. NFC technology is also rumored to appear in Intel-based smartphone chips in 2012, so the deal struck with INSIDE Secure really isn't all that surprising.

"The MicroRead NFC controller offers a broad range of NFC options and provides the capacity to support multiple secure element types, including SIM, SE or SD card, to support multiple business models," the company reports. "SecuRead integrates INSIDE’s award-winning MicroRead NFC controller with a high-performance secure element and a GlobalPlatform-compliant Java Card operating system. Both products are integrated with INSIDE’s Open NFC protocol stack to provide best-of-breed solutions."

INSIDE Secure chief operating officer Charles Walton told the AFP that the company has seen a booming interest in NFC this year alone. Its already shipped 10 million NFC chipsets in the third quarter and will likely stay on an accelerated track. "We've spent years perfecting this technology," he said. "We've given Intel a real advantage in getting to market fast."

The companies did not disclose financial terms of the agreement.