Samsung Galaxy S II, S3, Droid Incredible, HTC One X/Amaze to NFC 4 Ice Cream Cones Soon

Some popular smartphones will soon NFC with Isis soon. No NFC is not euphemism for something risque but is for  Near Field Communications, a wireless way of paying and transmitting secure information nearby.

When an NFC-enabled device is placed near a terminal you can make a payment from it.  The Isis platform is called "Mobile Wallet."  In a video demo it is shown downloading coupons, operation a subway turn style and making a payment at a coffee bar.  In another video it shows Isis used with vending machines. It looks like you do need Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to buy ice cream cones on some devices with Isis.

Yes, its like Google Wallet but it is conglomerate of credit card companies and terminal maker Verifone.  Launch is expected by the end of the summer.

Devices that will be able to transmit payments and other information will first be launched in Austin and Salt Lake City.

Here are the first devices that will be will have the Isis software:

• Samsung Galaxy S 3 (III) - Sprint, Verizon and  AT&T.
• Droid Incredible 4G LTE- Verizon Wireless.
• HTC One X -  AT&T.
• HTC Amaze & Samsung Galaxy S II - T-Mobile.

The soon to be banned Samsung Galaxy S II is getting an update to allow it to make NFC payment via the Isis NFC platform along with some bug fixes. Make sure you backup your data first and you have your battery at least 50% charged.

The manual-update only was approved on August 8 and requires Kies software to install. The update is called Android version 4.0.3/ Software version T989UVLH1.

When you first install Isis it comes with a reloadable Isis Cash Card. It is also compatible with American Express, Capital one and Chase card. Isis is ready Salt Lake City and Austin, there is Isis Pay & Go and Pay & Save.  Chain retailers that accept Isis inlcude 7 Eleven, McDonald's, Rite Aid, Viva Market and  The Home Depot.

The Isis website claims secure features such as remote locking, pin protection, privacy and no visible account numbers.

Isis is the Egyptian goddess idealizing motherhood and patroness of magic.  She had access to icons even before the iPhone.