NFC tag launched by Innovision Research & Technology to help drive non-payment applications

With 512 bytes of memory – more than five times greater than the existing 96-byte Topaz tag – Topaz-512 will help bridge the gap between low-memory tags and high-cost products that typically target high-security payment applications, such as contactless credit cards.

The new tag is designed to help accelerate the market for non-payment applications by making NFC an attractive option for additional mass-market opportunities, such as business cards, automatic SMS messaging and digital content delivery through smart posters. So-called ‘tag in a box’ applications, where NFC tags are included as part of a mobile phone package with an NFC-enabled handset, are also a key market opportunity for the new tags. Innovision is already working with mobilkom austria, the first mobile operator in the world, to commercially distribute an NFC phone with a set of pre-programmed Topaz NFC service tags. In this application, Topaz-512 supports the delivery of additional data to simplify service discovery and usage.

“Clearly, payment and ticketing will be an important part of NFC evolution,” says Stephen Graham, VP Marketing, Innovision Research & Technology, “but non-payment applications are emerging as a key driver for early NFC adoption. Innovision is committed to supporting new markets and opportunities, and Topaz-512 is evidence of this and our role at the forefront of NFC development.”

* The additional memory in Topaz-512 means it can also provide low-cost security support, for example using digital signatures for data authentication.

* Available in a number of form factors, from cards and stickers to key-fobs and waterproof laundry tags, Topaz-512 supports a variety of NFC applications.

* As with all Topaz tags, Topaz-512 is mandated as a Type 1 tag by the NFC Forum – meaning it is compatible with any NFC-certified mobile phone or other device.

* Topaz-512 tags are available to order direct from Innovision at www.buynfc.com (part number TPZ-505-016) with the option for customized artwork. The buynfc.com website provides a one-stop shop for NFC application developers and consumers, and with a growing wealth of advice on NFC tag usage, application development, and which tags are best suited to different applications.