[June 17, 2014]

NFC Forum and Bluetooth SIG Expand Developer's Guide to Include Bluetooth® Smart Technology

The NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association that advances the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) the trade association responsible for the development, promotion and protection of Bluetooth® technology, today announced the publication of a new, updated version of the Bluetooth Secure Simple Pairing Using NFC Application Document. The document provides developers with examples of how to implement Bluetooth Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) using NFC to take maximum advantage of both technologies when they are present in the same device.

The new version has been expanded to include descriptions of how to use NFC for fast and easy Bluetooth low energy out-of-band (OOB) pairing, a key capability of Bluetooth® Smart, the intelligent, power-friendly version of Bluetooth wireless technology. The Application Document, which provides developers with multiple design options for Bluetooth Smart pairing, is available for free download.

Bluetooth Secure Simple Pairing Using NFC was first published in 2011 by the two organizations. Late last year, the NFC Forum (News - Alert) and Bluetooth SIG signed an official liaison agreement that calls for the two associations to collaborate on projects and to evaluate opportunities to enhance interoperability and the user experience of devices that use their technologies.

NFC and Bluetooth are complementary wireless technologies that can be designed to work in concert in a variety of use cases. For example, manufacturers have the flexibility to use NFC technology in conjunction with SSP by supporting both negotiated and static handover between Bluetooh devices, such as wireless headsets, personal health devices, smartphones, cars, and TVs.

"Wireless technology providers are increasingly turning to NFC to help ensure a positive user experience during device-to-device communications, whether pairing consumer electronics or enabling the Internet of Things," said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. "This revised Application Document will make it easier for developers to implement the two technologies seamlessly, bringing the power and convenience of NFC and Bluetooth to consumers everywhere. We appreciate the efforts of Bluetooth SIG in helping us produce this useful guide."

"Bluetooth Smart is enabling completely new scenarios for wireless connectivity and bringing to life the Internet of Things - many of these new use cases could potentially benefit from simplified pairing through NFC," said Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. "As we move towards shipping four billion Bluetooth enabled products annually, ensuring developers have multiple options for device pairing is just one of the many ways that the SIG is making Bluetooth one of the most developer-friendly and consumer-friendly wireless technologies in the market."

The NFC Forum holds face-to-face, all-members meetings three times a year to advance NFC initiatives, and to address specifications and other projects under development. An all-members meeting is taking place this week in Edinburgh, Scotland. On June 17, the NFC Forum is hosting a "Tap Into NFC" Developer Event from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Radisson Blu Edinburgh. Developers from all industries are invited to attend to learn how to jump-start their NFC application development. Advance registration is required.

About Bluetooth Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is the global wireless standard enabling simple, secure connectivity for an expanding range of devices and serves as the backbone of the connected world. Bluetooth Smart branded devices, through an updatable platform and low power consumption, create new application opportunities for the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health and fitness, and smart home industries. With three billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth is the wireless technology of choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. Backed by industry-leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG empowers over 20,000 member companies to collaborate, innovate, and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information, please visit www.bluetooth.com.

About Near Field Communication Technology

NFC technology makes life easier and more convenient for consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch. A standards-based connectivity technology, NFC harmonizes today's diverse contactless technologies, enabling current and future solutions in areas such as access control, consumer electronics, health care, information collection and exchange, loyalty and coupons, payments, and transport. NFC technology is supported by the world's leading communication device manufacturers, semiconductor producers, network operators, IT and services companies, and financial services organizations. NFC is compatible with hundreds of millions of contactless cards and readers already deployed worldwide.

About the NFC Forum

The NFC Forum (www.nfc-forum.org) was launched as a non-profit industry association in 2004 by leading mobile communications, semiconductor, and consumer electronics companies. The Forum's mission is to advance the use of Near Field Communication technology by developing specifications, ensuring interoperability among devices and services, and educating the market about NFC technology. The Forum's global member companies are currently developing specifications for a modular NFC device architecture, and protocols for interoperable data exchange and device-independent service delivery, device discovery, and device capability. The NFC Forum's Sponsor members, which hold seats on the Board of Directors, include leading players in key industries around the world. The Sponsor members are: Broadcom Corporation, Google, Inc., Intel, MasterCard Worldwide, NEC, Nokia, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm, Samsung (News - Alert), Sony Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and Visa Inc.

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