Android and Symbian NFC mobile development questions and answers (FAQ)

Question

Let’s share on a common place ideas about the NFC development, technology… I warmly welcome any comments you might have – either about the Android or Symbian SDK or

Answer 1

So to continue the discussion I will just summary it: The NXP SmartMX microcontroller consists of two separate secure elements. The first one is programmable, runs some operating system (e.g. MULTOS or Sm@rtCafe or other) and a JavaCard VM, but it is locked and the production access keys there are in Google or TSM hands only. There is no way to install JavaCard application for testing purposes here, since it is not possible to unlock the secure element for test purposes.

Also there is no way how to utilize the SIM card, because even if this can be technically possible, for the commercial application deal with MNO is necessary. Let’s stop for a while with the Mifare 4K, which seems to be the most promissing:

Since the Mifare 4K area has default keys, anybody with the external NFC reader can change the keys and securely store values there – is that correct? Did you try it? Does this come with any difficulties?

Is use of the external NFC reader the only way how to access the Mifare space? Can e.g. application installed on the Android phone read/write some data to Mifare 4K using some API (over NFC controller and NFC-WI path)? Can e.g. seek-for-android help there?

Thanks STeN