Collaboration with Microsoft Aimed at Accelerating the Adoption of NFC
and Contactless Technology in Windows Mobile(R) Phones
TORONTO, March 11 /CNW/ - Sirit Inc. ("Sirit") (TSX: SI), a leading provider of radio frequency identification ("RFID") technology, announced today a collaboration with Microsoft Corporation to bring near field communication ("NFC") and contactless support to the Windows Mobile(R) operating system. By leveraging Sirit's embedded software and technology, the companies aim to speed the adoption of NFC and contactless technology in Windows Mobile powered smartphones and the development of Windows Mobile powered NFC applications.
NFC is expected to have a significant impact on mobile phones and devices as well as consumer electronics. Leading analysts predict that up to 1/3 of all mobile phones will be NFC-equipped within the next 3-5 years which will enable mobile phones to operate as electronic wallets, electronic tickets and access control devices.
To date, a significant barrier to the rollout of NFC devices and applications has been the lack of readily available support for NFC and contactless in embedded operating systems. To overcome this barrier, Microsoft intends to develop application programming interfaces (APIs) and other native support in the Windows Mobile operating system for NFC and contactless technology, thereby providing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and applications developers with a consistent and easy-to-use platform for developing NFC devices and solutions. Microsoft will use Sirit technology and expertise as an important part of its development and testing program.
"As a Sponsor level member of the NFC Forum, Microsoft believes in the significant benefits that NFC and contactless technology bring to the wide range of devices powered by the Windows Mobile operating system," said David Turner, Director of Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. "Sirit demonstrates NFC expertise and technology, as evidenced by their work helping OEMs bring NFC products to market. We plan to utilize this expertise and Sirit's NFC software technology to bring NFC and contactless support to the Windows Mobile operating system.
"The Windows Mobile operating system is at the heart of a broad range of devices that will be enhanced by NFC and contactless technology," commented Chris Leong, Vice President, NFC and Contactless, Sirit Inc. "We are pleased that Sirit's technology and expertise will help bring NFC and contactless to Windows Mobile powered smartphones. We look forward to utilizing the expertise and knowledge we develop in this collaboration to help Microsoft's customers and partners develop NFC and contactless devices, applications, and solutions."
Sirit welcomes inquiries from any OEMs or service providers seeking to create NFC and contactless devices, applications, and solutions. Please contact Chris Leong, VP NFC and Contactless at Sirit at cleong@sirit.com or +1-646-321-6020, for more information.
About Sirit Inc.
Sirit Inc. (TSX: SI) is a leading provider of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology worldwide. Harnessing the power of Sirit's enabling-RFID technology, customers are able to more rapidly bring high quality RFID solutions to the market with reduced initial engineering costs. Sirit's products are built on more than 14 years of RF domain expertise addressing multiple frequencies (LF/HF/UHF), multiple protocols and are compliant with global standards. Sirit's broad portfolio of products and capabilities can be customized to address new and traditional RFID market applications including Supply Chain & Logistics, Cashless Payment (including Electronic Tolling), Access Control, Automatic Vehicle Identification, Near Field Communications, Inventory Control & Management, Asset Tracking and Product Authentication. For more information, visit www.sirit.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Sirit to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting Sirit's business which are discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risks Factors" in Sirit's Annual Information Form dated March 19, 2007 as filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada via SEDAR. Although Sirit has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Sirit does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, further events or otherwise.
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