The SD Association has already embraced some authentication measures to supply such things as secure ebooks , but it’s now trying to go the additional mile with a little bit help from GlobalPlatform. The 2 have announced today that they are collaborating on a standardized smart-chip technology for SD and microSD cards, which they hope will let the memory cards be used for everything from mobile payments and private ID — including near-field communication — to objects like mobile television subscriptions and other customized services. For sure, that’s all still inside the earliest stages, and there is no indication of a timeline for any of it just yet. The official press release is after the break.
Agreement signals SDA efforts to increase SD standards into new markets
PARIS, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — CARTES & IDENTIFICATION BOOTH 3B140 — SD Association will extend the utility of its world-leading memory card standards, giving thousands of consumer electronic device models utilized by billions of customers more services and contours by leveraging other global standards. Under this new strategy, the Association today announced a brand new collaboration with GlobalPlatform to incorporate smart-chip technology in SD standards to enable cellphones and other portable CE devices to give authentication services with SD memory cards.
GlobalPlatform, which standardizes secure application management, and the Association will work closely to jointly build a safe, open, dynamic environment for deploying secure services in connected devices supporting SD standards. Standardized authentication services on microSD and entire-size SD memory cards would transform consumers’ cellphones and CE devices into electronic wallets carrying cashless currency and paperless identification to be used in making everyday purchases reminiscent of groceries or train tickets, or in receiving customized subscription services like mobile television. Identity features on portable devices would increase consumer control over their personal data when compared with today’s wallets typically bulging with cards. This will provide consumers with greater security than cloud-based solutions because the smart-chip enabled SD memory cards would only be active in a licensed device.
“Using the SD interface, with its ubiquitous presence of microSD memory cards and SD slotted devices, gives manufacturers, service providers and consumers of smart cards and smart card applications considerable momentum,” said Joseph Unsworth, Research Director with Gartner. “CE device manufacturers have offered new innovations and extended the lifecycle and value of devices for greater than 10 years with SD standards, hoping on the SD interface to reply to new market needs and opportunities for removable media.”
Service and content providers, in addition to CE manufacturers, could use the SD interface to provide new value-added services which are standardized and secure and use near-field communications to authenticate transactions and identity. SD standards are already supported in at the very least 80 percent of all cell phones with removable memory to complement cellular phone features and services.
“SD standards are proven to drive new applications in consumer electronics. The Association’s strategy is to leverage SD standards to create opportunities in new markets, clearing market hurdles of price, size limitations and security, and enabling new technologies, ” said Norm Frentz, SD Association president. “Collaborating with GlobalPlatform complements and accelerates our plans to support near-field technology and offers device manufacturers and anyone providing content or service to consumers the turnkey to mass market mobile commerce and smart IDs.”
The Association and GlobalPlatform are both committed to specifications that ensure long-term interoperability through backwards compatibility.
“GlobalPlatform is extremely keen to work with the SD Association to leverage SD standards and manage to reply to its requirements,” said Gil Bernabeu, technical director at GlobalPlatform. “From the viewpoint of secure application providers, it is important to that the appliance performs as required and to the top security standards, whatever the secure element selected. GlobalPlatform identifies that SD memory card standards offer many storage choices and may support the delivery of a whole lot of services.”
Opening new markets, creating convenient services
Offering near-field communications on microSD and entire-size SD memory cards opens unlimited new business models for any authentication process, including:
* Mobile commerce. Consumers will use CE devices equipped with smart microSD cards as cashless currency, authorizing secure financial transfers to purchase everything from groceries to subway fare and restaurant meals.
* Customized services. Content and repair providers can customize features, offers and rewards automatically, eliminating manual entry of shopper identifiers which include account or rewards card numbers. Car navigation services may supply customized concierge services including special pricing, reservations, coupons and other offers from locations near the auto or on the destination. Airlines could automatically review customer accounts for upgrade and other frequent flier rewards.
* Secure access/Personal ID. Integrating smart SD memory cards into mobile devices makes ID and access solutions flexible and customizable to fit multiple applications.
* Secure voice. Smart microSD cards can support hardware encrypted voice services, a proven security method utilized by potential new markets for SD standards, including government, emergency services and firms.
In each of those new business models, the microSD and whole-size SD memory cards would offer the secure element, according to GlobalPlatform standards, for authorization purposes and would only be active within the authorized device.
World-leading SD standards are in response to real-world market needs, giving manufacturers and repair providers the ability and innovation to serve their markets. The digital security marketplace for SD standards extends SD stakeholders beyond traditional markets into banking and other financial services, in addition to cellphone, device and access control manufacturing. Membership provides manufacturers and repair providers with the whole SD standards that let manufacturers to develop products and solutions designed to the humble, including support of different standards, and compatible with other SD devices.
SD Association
The SD Association is an international ecosystem of greater than 1,000 technology companies charged with setting interoperable SD standards. The association encourages the construction of consumer electronic, wireless communication, digital imaging and networking products that utilize market-leading SD technology. The SD standard is the number 1 choice for consumers and has earned greater than 80 percent of the memory card market with its reliable interoperability and its easy-to-use format. Today, cellphones, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, audio players, automotive multimedia systems, handheld PCs, digital cameras and digital video cameras feature SD interoperability. For additional info about SDA or to affix, please visit the association’s website, www.sdcard.org.
SOURCE SD Association
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