Nokia brings RFID to mobile phones

Nokia is attempting to push radio frequency identification (RFID) into the mainstream with its launch of a kit that adds the technology to its mobile phones.

The company said that by combining its Nokia Mobile RFID Kit with a standard handset it has created the first GSM phone product with RFID reading capabilities.

The kit, which was unveiled on the opening day of the CeBIT IT trade show, can extend the mobility of field force personnel by integrating RFID reader technology into "familiar" mobile phone-based devices, according to the mobile phone giant.

The product can improve task and workflow management, providing businesses with a new way to collect data such as meter readings and time and attendance information, said Nokia.

Part of the company's field force product range, the kit uses the 13.56MHz radio frequency range at the very short range of typically 2-3cm using the ISO-14443A standard.

By touching RFID tagged objects, users will be able to initiate tasks in their Nokia phones, call and send text messages, access databases and record new data entries.

"The phone reader will read the content of the smart object and translate it to an action," said Gerhard Romen, head of market development at the Nokia Ventures Organisation, in a statement.

"For example, a field service engineer can intuitively start browsing the latest service instructions to repair a machine on site."

The Nokia Mobile RFID Kit, which will be available from this summer, contains two Xpress-on RFID reader shells compatible with the Nokia 5140 mobile phone, application software for the phone and 20 RFID tags.