MasterCard releases NFC SDK, includes integration for BlackBerry 7

While NFC is still expanding across the globe, MasterCard today took one huge step to help that process along. They've now released their Mobile PayPass UI SDK to developers and included with that, is support for BlackBerry 7 devices. The Mobile PayPass UI SDK includes all the tools needed to create contactless payment applications including:

• API Code Libraries
• API Specification Documentation
• Developer Guide
• Sample UI Application Code
• White-Label Reference UI Application
• Test Suite to Ensure Compliance and Apps

To date, there is over 70 devices out there approved by MasterCard as Mobile PayPass compatible devices and the list continues to grow. In addition to RIM devices being on the list, Samsung, Sony and HTC have all released NFC and MasterCard compatible devices with mobile payment transaction growth expected to reach $75B by 2013.

If you're a developer looking to get in on that, you'll find the press release and further info from MasterCard available below. Just please, no one create any more apps that allow me to buy McDonalds using my device. My stomach can no longer handle it.

MasterCard Releases Mobile PayPass Software Development Kit to Simplify Payment Application Creation
September 17, 2012

New Development Kit Makes It Easier for Issuers, Mobile Network Operators and Third Party Developers to Create NFC Payment Apps

Purchase, N.Y., September 17, 2012 – MasterCard continues to make payments simpler and more secure through the release of the Mobile MasterCard® PayPass™ User Interface Software Development Kit (UI SDK) for Android and BlackBerry OS 7 mobile operating systems. Free to license and available globally, this new toolkit helps issuers, mobile network operators and third party developers rapidly build innovative new mobile applications that give consumers the speed and convenience of PayPass Tap-and-Go™ contactless payments – directly from their smartphone.

The availability of NFC-equipped phones is rapidly increasing, with over 70 models already approved by MasterCard as Mobile PayPass compatible devices, and the growth of Mobile payment transactions is accelerating. According to Juniper Research, payments from NFC-equipped phones are expected to be responsible for sales exceeding $75 billion by 2013.

Prior to the launch of the Mobile MasterCard PayPass UI SDK, highly specialized skills were required to develop applications that could interface with the NFC capabilities in popular smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X, Sony Xperia S and RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900. Now, MasterCard is providing a programmer-friendly set of functions that make it easy for application developers to rapidly deliver payment apps to consumers – without having to become smart card programming experts.

“BMO’s vision is to be the bank that defines great customer experience,” said David Heatherly, Vice-President, Payment Products, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We fulfill that vision each and every day by continuing to innovate and by delivering products and services to our customers that are relevant in today’s market and offer a better payment experience. Last September, BMO became the only major Canadian bank to roll out a ‘Tap and Go’ payment solution for mobile phones using a Mobile PayPass tag. MasterCard’s UI SDK gives us the opportunity to continue to be a leader in this space as the technology supporting mobile payments evolves.”

MasterCard’s toolkit provides everything software developers need to quickly create contactless payment solutions for Android and BlackBerry users

• API Code Libraries
• API Specification Documentation
• Developer Guide
• Sample UI Application Code
• White-Label Reference UI Application
• Test Suite to Ensure Compliance and Apps

These tools help to rapidly integrate Mobile MasterCard PayPass into a proximity payment mobile UI application, a mobile banking application or a mobile wallet application. The White-Label Reference UI Application allows financial institutions to create a contactless mobile application within their own branded app. Along with a developer friendly toolkit, MasterCard has also streamlined the UI approval process so that customers can quickly and efficiently bring a Mobile MasterCard PayPass service to market.

“Consumers are gaining comfort and familiarity with mobile and contactless payments, requiring the financial institutions and mobile network operators that offer these services to ensure a consistent and positive experience,” said Mung Ki Woo, Group Executive, Mobile at MasterCard. “As we continue to lead the industry with mobile and contactless payments innovations, we saw an opportunity to simultaneously help our partners and improve the overall user experience. Our first-ever UI SDK provides smart tools and makes it easier for our partners to issue a complete contactless payment solution on mobile.”

Mobile PayPass UI SDK is available to developers of all levels including corporations, financial institutions, merchants, third party developers and more. For more information, please visit http://www.mastercard.com/mobile/mobile-paypass.html