Isis is released, Cartes is upon us...
I wonder how many of you are reading this on a mobile device while on your way to Cartes in Paris? If so - join the club. This year's Cartes promises to be one which, judging by the number of requests we have had for coverage from various companies, promises to be dominated by mobile wallets, NFC-based retail experiences, and mobile point-of-sale developments. I have to be honest - I am looking forward to hearing about all of them.
Talking about mobile wallets, last week saw the US nationwide release of the Isis wallet (at long last). It's been a while in coming but finally it has seen its general release. Although saying that, it would be remiss of me if I didn't point out that as far I can determine, there have been no reports of further retail outlet acceptance (beyond those original accepts) or of new issuers, but let's give them time. I suspect that the real launch will not be until 2014.
Just in time for CARTES, the OSPT Alliance have issued their secure access module specification for CIPURSE™ V2, the Key Management document, and the description of the most common SAM Use Cases have been finalized and are available for download by Alliance members and evaluators. The release of the specification marks an important milestone in enabling the development of CIPURSE-based security modules and CIPURSE-compliant contactless reader terminals.
“We are pleased to release the SAM specification and other documentation to the international transport ticketing ecosystem,” said Laurent Cremer, executive director of the OSPT Alliance. “Members of the OSPT Alliance have contributed greatly to evolving the specification over time and the SAM Working Group has done a tremendous job in coordinating reviews and delivering the document.” Designed as a layered, modular architecture with application-specific profiles, the open and secure CIPURSE V2 standard comprises a single, consistent set of specifications for all security, personalization, administration and life-cycle management functions needed to create a broad range of interoperable transit applications-from inexpensive single-ride or daily paper tickets to rechargeable fixed-count or weekly plastic tickets to longer-term smart card or smart phone-based commuter tickets that can also support loyalty and other applications.
No doubt at Cartes this year we will also be hearing about NFC versus Blutooth Low Energy (BLE). Wooshping's Rupert Englander put out a nice blog a few weeks ago that I caught last week titled, ""BLE Vs NFC"? - It's not about the technology, but about the philosophy". It is worth a read, especially as one of the longest discussions I have seen on LinkedIn's Near field Communications group appears to centre around this very subject. I expect to get buttonholed on the topic this week as I meander through the aisles of the show.
As you may expect, this is a short editorial this week. Well, we have to get ready for Cartes, too! If you see us, say hello and if you have something interesting to show us, don't be shy. I look forward to meeting and greeting all our readers on the show floor this week.
Until next week (when normal service will be resumed!).
Steve Atkins
Contactless Intelligence