RIM uses NFC technology to launch the BlackBerry Tag Service

According to foreign media reports, RIM's joint chief executive Jim Balsillie recently launched the BlackBerry Tag service at the GITEX conference in Dubai. With this service, users can share their contact information, files, and multimedia content by touching their mobile phones. RIM revealed that the BlackBerry Tag service will be integrated into BlackBerry 7 software updates based on NFC (Near-Field Communication) wireless technology. The first smartphones that support the BlackBerry Tag service are the latest BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930, as well as BlackBerry Curve 9350, 9360, and 9370, all of which have built-in NFC hardware.

The use of NFC technology for mobile payments is gaining greater attention, but supporters of this technology are also planning to use it in other application fields.

A spokesman for RIM said the Tag will initially be available only between RIM's mobile phones. In addition to passing information, the Service will also support adding contacts to BlackBerry Messenger users.

In addition, RIM will open tags to developers through APIS (application interfaces) on the BlackBerry platform to facilitate developers to integrate this touch sharing feature in their applications.

The more advanced technology, the more attractive developers will be. Sandy Shen, research director at Gartner, a market research company, said: "Although the iPhone 4S does not support NFC technology, it affects the promotion and application of NFC technology, however, this will not become a major obstacle to the development of the NFC technology market, and the market will continue to grow."