Sony Ericsson will add NFC support to their Android lineup

According to a press release from NXP, the NFC chip-maker, Sony Ericsson has contracted them to add NFC components to their Android smartphones. NXP is the same company that makes the NFC chip found in the way-paving Google Nexus S.

NXP and Sony Ericsson fail to specify the extent of NFC's integration into the lineup. NXP merely said that "Sony Ericsson intends to use the NXP PN65 NFC solution in their Android-based smartphones, which includes the NFC radio controller, the embedded secure element and NFC software."

The inclusion of NXP's components would put Sony Ericsson towards the front of the NFC revolution in Europe and North America. We hope SE can deliver these devices quickly. And it shouldn't take too much R&D, considering that they have an example to work from (i.e. Nexus S).

Sony Ericsson is capturing a mostly niche market, with their uniquely stylish devices, and the new Xperia PLAY gaming smartphone. And NFC capability might be just what they need to gain greater attention in 2011-2012. Would you be more likely to purchase an SE device if its among the first to support NFC?

source: NXP via Android and Me