Hamburg/Germany, September 2, 2011 - Stollmann, a leading provider of NFC protocol software, has acquired HARMAN, the leading global audio and infotainment group, as a customer.

Wireless meets auto. Near field communication (NFC) makes it easier to connect cell phones to components in the vehicle. Together with HARMAN, a technology leader in the industry, Stollmann is offering a solution for easy, PIN-free startup of Bluetooth connections of devices simply by “touching” NFC hotspots. Whether playing telephone calls over your car speakers or listening to music from your cell phone or MP3 player in the car, it's all just a click away with the vehicle's infotainment interface. In the future, NFC will pave the way for innovative solutions in motor vehicles, ranging from simple diagnostic interfaces all the way to payment solutions. HARMAN is adding NFC to its future portfolio and is placing its trust in the quality of Stollmann. The NFC stack of Stollmann is chip-neutral and based on the NFC Forum standards. Moreover, it enables all operating modes, such as Reader/Writer, Peer-to-Peer, and CardEmulation, for a wide range of applications.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) develops, produces, and markets a comprehensive range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer, and professional markets – with the support of 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, und Mark Levinson®. The company is recognized by multiple generations of audiophiles and provides equipment for leading professional entertainers and their events. More than 20 million vehicles around the world today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a work force of about 12,000 employees in North and South America, Europe, and Asia and recorded sales of USD 3.8 billion in the 12-month period ending on June 30, 2011.

HARMAN PR contact:
Nicole Mehr
Director
Corporate Affairs and Communications Europe
HARMAN
Becker-Goering-Str. 16
76307 Karlsbad/Germany
Phone: +49 7248 71 1272
Fax: +49 7248 71 2272
Email: nicole.mehr(at)harman.com
www.harman.com

Hamburg/Germany, 28 June 2011 – Stollmann, a leading provider of NFC protocol software, and ARS Software, a supplier and integrator of iAnywhere Bluetooth protocol software, are collaborating on secure simple pairing of Bluetooth and NFC. ARS Software has developed an NFC secure simple pairing out-of-band (OOB) application for the iAnywhere stack using Stollmann NFC software.

With NFC, the use and connection of Bluetooth devices via secure simple pairing is made easy and more bug-proof. Because the pairing via NFC is initiated by a simple touch between the two devices (touch-and- go...), no user input is necessary to connect two Bluetooth devices and to set up the pairing required for authentication. Stollmann's NFCStack+ protocol stack and the Blue SDK Bluetooth v3.2/v4.1 protocol stack (compatible with Bluetooth 2.x, 3.0, and 4.0) of iAnywhere are used.

The NFC stack of Stollmann is chip-independent, based on NFC Forum standards, and enables all operating modes, such as reader/writer, peer-to-peer, and CardEmulation, for a wide range of applications. When combined with the Bluetooth stack of iAnywhere, the NFC stack allows implementation of convenient Bluetooth solutions for the automotive, mobile device, and healthcare industries. As a result of the market launch of cellular phones with NFC and the fast, problem-free implementation of Bluetooth pairing, new applications for access control are also possible.

ARS Software GmbH
ARS Software offers software, consulting, and training for wireless near field communication, data synchronization, and data management. ARS Software is a partner of Sybase/iAnywhere, Rococo Software, and Frontline Test Equipment.

ARS press contact:
Rudi Latuske
ARS Software GmbH
Starnberger Str. 22
82131 GAUTING/Munich
Phone +49-89-893 4130
E-mail: rlatuske(at)ars2000.com
www.ars-software.de

Make your PC HDP compliant, easy and fast with the BlueHDP+USB dongle. A virtual COM port is provided to the application for communication with the embedded module inside of the dongle.

One of our new features is the BlueMod+P25/G2 module with HDP (Health Device Profile) and IEEE 11073 embedded firmware. The firmware offers all requirements to make a medical device Continua compliant. The module has a simple API available to manage the Bluetooth functionality and to transfer measured data. Data will be transformed into IEEE 11073.

Secure simple pairing can make using Bluetooth easier. Pairing using NFC (Near Field Communication) will also be introduced. Here, no user input whatsoever is required to interconnect two Bluetooth devices, which greatly simplifies the process. Stollmann´s NFCStack+ and the BlueMod+P25/G2 with HDP (Health Device Profile) firmware will be used to establish a Continua compliant Bluetooth connection.

The special “BlueCluster” network profile was developed by Stollmann to connect devices with serial port to form a wireless ad hoc network without infrastructure. The utilized “BlueMod+C11/G2” module is a powerful Class 1 module with up to 280 m free field range, whose integrated application processor makes it especially well-suited for more complex applications, such as large-area mesh sensor networks. The ad hoc network is already in use in over 500,000 solar inverters.

NFC technology is moving forward. The first NFC cell phones have been announced. The year 2011 will mark the start of the NFC era, and we are ready! We have updated our protocol stack to the latest state of the art and can handle the most innovative new use cases.

Android development / API

As announced in advance, NFC support is now being integrated into Android software since the beginning of December. Stollmann is embracing this development, and is excited about the many new NFC applications that will be available for modern smart phones.

The Stollmann protocol stack is ready for immediate use in implementing your Android projects. Do you want to be first on the market? Then ensure your competitive advantage with Stollmann. You can order our complete, native NFC stack for Android and convenient Software Development Kits (SDKs) today. Our Android API is available for free download on the Internet at: http://www.stollmann.de/en/stacks/nfc/nfc-for-android.html

Open source in the spotlight

Open source software will significantly accelerate the widespread use of NFC, but at the expense of satisfying professional maintenance requirements. Stollmann's philosophy insists on the provision of high-quality software stacks to customers at a charge (for maintenance).

Then why choose Stollmann quality and not open source?

The clear advantage is your time-to-market. You can launch your product on the market 6 to 8 months ahead of the "open source competition." And you don't have to perform any maintenance or provide R&D resources. We will integrate further technical enhancements and changes in the technology in the early stages through regularly scheduled updates. Although we make use of the same interfaces and APIs that are provided by open source software, we will provide you with important support for NFC Forum specifications and for integration into other operating systems, as well as for an additional selection of chip variants in support of a second source policy. We are the communication specialists who can help you to establish your product on the market with speed and confidence.

Open source free of charge for now? Open source does not automatically mean a reliable solution that is tailor-made for your product based on NFC Forum specifications (N-Mark as a quality seal). You are responsible for the time and expense for adapting and maintaining your solution, obtaining NFC Forum certification, and ensuring chip independence. This represents time that your product is not on the market generating sales. Don't risk your opportunity to be first on the market.

We offer customized support and consultation. Contact us!

NFCStack+

The Stollmann NFC protocol stack “NFCStack+” comprises a complete middleware platform for mobile phones, PCs, integrated systems, and other platforms:

• Independent of the utilized chips, hardware, and operating systems
  
• API available for Android, Windows, Linux, and JSR-257
• Modular software architecture
• Flexible business model (porting costs, license and maintenance fees)
• Host-based card emulation
• Legacy support
• Small footprint
• Support for NFC Forum specifications (membership in NFC Forum since 2006)

Quality that pays off. When it comes to stacks, we have been the experts for the past 20 years.

Software Development Kits (SDK)

NFCStack+SDK for Android 2.x: Including Beagle Boards (on request) or as software only. The software version is an emulator that simulates cell phone functions, thus enabling fast, easy operation on a PC for testing and writing applications. If you prefer to test on Beagle Boards that offer enhanced simulation of the time-based communication component, you can order these on request.

NFCStack+Dev for Windows: 32-bit based with USB reader and NFC tags with new release.

New release as a complete SDK or as a software update for existing customers already using an SDK. More convenient and user friendly. Now, including support for large NDEF messages and for LLCP V1.0.

On request we also offer SDKs with a customer-specific environment.

We look forward to receiving your order and/or request to provide you with an offer at nfc(at)stollmann.de.

Staff news

We have recently increased our staff in the NFC area. Mr. Christian Andresen has been joined by Ms. Wenka Voss to provide guidance and assistance for NFC in all of Europe. You can reach Ms. Voss by phone at +49 40/890 88 -123 or by e-mail at wv(at)stollmann.de.

GENEVA and EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, June 1st, 2010- Market-leading NFC vendors STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) and NXP today announced, in conjunction with Trusted Logic and Stollmann, that the companies are to promote a common hardware-independent API (Application Programming Interface) for NFC (Near Field Communication) applications on mobile phones and other devices running Android™.

The companies will release an update of their recently published Android APIs to the community as a proposal for a mutual standard. The common NFC API is seen as a central resource enabling developers to create NFC applications to be distributed through app stores. This will enable mobile phone users to access a new range of contactless applications capable of conveniences such as mobile payments, transport and event ticketing as well as data sharing directly from their Android™ phone.

The API is a result of consultations with various eco-systems partners, including mobile network operators, handset manufacturers and NFC controller providers. It is supported by protocol stacks that are compatible with major NFC chip platforms from STMicroelectronics and NXP and can be used for mobile phones, mobile Internet devices, PCs and more.

"NXP has always been at the forefront of mobile transactions and is committed to enable NFC on Android-based devices jointly with other industry leaders," said Henri Ardevol, General Manager Secure Transactions, NXP Semiconductors. "We are pleased to collaborate with STMicroelectronics, Stollmann, Trusted Logic and other partners to define and standardize a truly open NFC API for Android."

"Technical collaboration between leading NFC-protocol stack vendors and NFC-chip manufacturers is both a major and necessary step towards massive adoption of NFC in the Android environment," said Laurent Degauque, Telecom & NFC Marketing Manager, STMicroelectronics. "This joint and open approach, shared by four key players, will pave the way for the successful deployment of NFC technology and create increased confidence for customers."  

Philippe Dubois, General Manager Professional and Consumer Devices, Trusted Logic, comments: "A single common API agreed on by the major solution providers is essential to develop the NFC ecosystem within Android and meet our customers' expectations."

"A well maintained protocol stack that conforms to standards and supports the features of NFC is the key to make NFC a successful and flexible technology and to attract developers to write applications for NFC on Android a common API is another one," said Christian Lührs, General Manager, Stollmann.

The API specification will be accessible via a single email request to NFCforAndroid@trusted-logic.com and nfc@stollmann.de. An Apache License 2.0 model was selected in order to provide a legal framework to new contributions.

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions that leverage its leading RF, Analog, Power Management, Interface, Security and Digital Processing expertise. These innovations are used in a wide range of automotive, identification, wireless infrastructure, lighting, industrial, mobile, consumer and computing applications. Headquartered in Europe, the company has approximately 28,000 employees working in more than 25 countries and posted sales of USD 3.8 billion in 2009. News from NXP is located at www.nxp.com.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

Stollmann today announced the first chip set independent NFC API for Android.

The “NFaCe+A” API from Stollmann supports all NFC modes and features and follows the design rules of the Android community. It can be used with different chip sets and NFC protocol stacks, supporting a variety of NFC chips from vendors like STMicroelectronics, NXP, Innovison, Polaric etc.

The API is targeted to developers of standard NFC applications for devices based on the open handset platform Android. Those applications will drive the „app stores“ for Android and will be a major source of revenues for handset manufacturers and mobile operators. The development of NFC applications largely depends on the availability of a standard API to allow developers to write applications independently of the underlaying hardware.

The API will be implemented in a portable Android „Dalvik“ Layer as part of an Integration Package. The Integration Package will be freely available in source code for integration in different Android platforms and for different NFC chips and protocol stacks. The NFCStack+ protocol stack of Stollmann will be one possible choice.

The API specification is available free of charge from Stollmann at E-mail: info@stollmann.de. A complete Software Development Kit  supporting the NFaCe+A API based on a standard „Beagle“ platform will be available in Q2/2010.

For further information, please contact:

Christian Andresen
Stollmann E+V GmbH
Phone: +49 40 89088-126
E-mail: info(at)stollmann.de

Stollmann is now offering Bluetooth module series BlueMod+P24/G2 and BlueMod+P25/G2 for iPhone accessories. The modules are interoperable with the interface of the iPhone Accessory Program. This allows iPhone accessory manufacturers to integrate the wireless interface very easily. The Bluetooth modules contain the complete protocol stack (SPP) and are integrated into the accessory device using a serial UART interface. Configuration and operation are carried out using AT commands, which makes them very easy to program. This greatly facilitates the integration of an iPhone-compatible interface into accessories.

The modules are now available from Stollmann and distributors.

Note: Apple and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.