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New NXP SoC Gives Android Its Apple Pay
dkatana writes: NXP, having worked with Apple on Apple Pay, is now launching its PN66T module for secure NFC mobile transactions — for Android. It's intended to implement the same functionality of Apple Pay. While NXP claims the module is OS independent, the features clearly indicate that Android devices are the likely recipients of the SoC. The PN66T is Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMVCo) certified, and also supports American Express ExpressPay, thus fully covering the three big credit card companies, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with existing and future payment methods.
Not to say that secure elements are totally and completely secure, but they're more secure than crypto implemented in software (as your link so generously shows). They may both be vulnerable to government agencies, but software elements are vulnerable to casual physical (or remote, possibly) access to the device.
Side channel attacks on secure elements are not at all new. NXP et al actually design these chips with them in mind.
Your argument is comparing apples to oranges: because a gun was able to shoot through a T shirt (with chainmail printed on it), a purpose-built bulletproof vest is useless!
The reason Google Wallet has been a failure to-date is that it (and all other smartphone-based payment systems except ApplePay) is simply not convenient to use compared to swiping a credit card.
Bullshit. There is virtually no difference in the operation of either system except one has a fingerprint reader.
The reason ApplePay became the #1 smartphone payment mechanism overnight is because it's utterly trivial and convenient to use.
More bullshit. The reason ApplePay became the #1 mechanism overnight is because Apple leveraged their marketing and the media around it. Google hasn't ever done the same. In fact, it would be easy to be oblivious to the fact that Google Wallet even exists - it's almost as if Google doesn't give a crap in terms of marketing it (who knows why..)
It took me exactly 3 seconds at the local Whole Foods to pull out my phone, tap it with my finger on the finger print reader, and put it back in my pocket.
It takes me no more time to use Google Wallet.