BenQ showcased its T80, the latest next-generation NFC (Near Field Communications) smartphone, at this year’s Mobile World Congress. Not only does T80 feature all the capabilities of a smartphone, it is also an all-in-one device that users can carry to pay for transportation or access private security systems at home.
BenQ collaborated with Taipei Smart Card Corporation, the operator of Taiwan’s first integrated contactless transport card initiative, to embed NFC technology into T80, making applications such as electronic ticketing for public transportation, parking payment and adding or checking account value possible. T80 can also be configured to access private security systems for homes.
BenQ T80 is the world’s first NFC-enabled smartphone to feature Windows Mobile 6 operating system. T80 is also the world’s first NFC-enabled phone to feature dual storage options for NFC data, meaning that users can either store transaction or security data on the microSD card or on the SIM card, providing convenience and portability when users change to another NFC-enabled phone. T80 also supports Chunghwa Telecom’s Combi SIM card, the world’s first SIM card to provide highly secure e-wallet services with a massive memory to keep transaction records and other application service content. Chunghwa Telecom is Taiwan’s largest integrated telecommunication operator.
T80 has a 2.2-inch screen and houses a 3.0 mega pixel built-in camera. Users can time automatic wallpaper changes according to their preferences. It is also DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)-compliant, meaning that it can be integrated into a family’s DLNA-compliant home entertainment system and be used as a remote control for any other DLNA-compliant devices.
The phone will be tested in Taiwan, next month.
According to IDC’s latest findings, the demand for mobile communications broadband is rising and ABI Research estimated by year 2010, approximately 0.6 billion NFC mobile phones will be shipped. This indicates a growing popularity of NFC technology and the vast business opportunities it can bring.