INSIDE Contactless, Sagem Orga and TazTag have
teamed up to test a new method of delivering near field
communication (NFC) payment functionality.
The new device is based on contactless
solutions company TazTag’s TazCard, and is currently in pre-alpha
testing. It is a Java-based handheld device the size of a credit
card with a 3.5 inch touch screen. The product can be used for
making contactless payments, as well as other near-field
application which include areas like e-ticketing, travel cards,
identity documents and electronic keys.
The aim of the project is to facilitate NFC
contactless payment transactions while providing full NFC
functionality for other applications as well.
Eric Fouchard, CEO of TazTag said: “Today’s
announcement marks a milestone in the development of commercial
products for NFC payments and other NFC applications, and
demonstrates the flexibility of our TazCard NFC platform.”
Jean-Christophe Tisseuil, head of marketing at
Sagem Orga, said: “This TazCard innovation clearly demonstrates the
versatility of our NFC-enabled SIM card and our interest in
reaching beyond mobile phone applications to provide secure
elements for innovative NFC products,”
“We believe this device will enable card
issuers to provide their customers with a viable NFC bridge – a key
success factor towards market adoption of mobile NFC payments.”