So, a couple of days ago, we reported that Microsoft had stated that the Windows Phone operating system already supports NFC. The confirmation came from Will Coleman, product manager at Microsoft"s UK outpost, who said that "NFC is supported by it, but needs to be enabled by the OEM. So if any [manufacturer] wants to enable it, that can be done by all means."
Turns out Coleman made a boo-boo, and today, Microsoft was forced to issue a statement to retract his comments and clear things up (hopefully) once and for all.
Speaking with WinRumors, a Microsoft spokesperson explained:
Microsoft would like to correct a previous statement it made around near field communications. While NFC is not currently supported on Windows Phone 7.5, it is coming. We expect NFC-enabled Windows Phone devices to ship within the next year."
Rumours continue to swirl around Microsoft"s plans for NFC, including the suggestion that it is preparing its own alternative platform to Google Wallet, and that NFC will be instrumental in the way that Microsoft devices interact, and share information and content. Assuming that we can still take Coleman at his word, it"s worth noting his assertion that "in the not too distant future, there are some exciting things that will be coming through with NFC from Microsoft".
A report emerged yesterday stating that Microsoft would bring NFC to the platform in Windows Phone 8 (also known by its codename, Apollo), which is expected to arrive in the middle of next year. The source of that report also revealed new details about the next Nokia flagship, the Lumia 900.