CyanogenMod 9.1 and NFC payments -- curious already? The CyanogenMod team has announced a joint partnership with SimplyTapp to offer Near Field Communication payments for the Android modding community along with their latest custom ROM, CyanogenMod 9.1. The NFC app is named Tapp!, and it is offered as a separate download to the popular CM ROM.
SimplyTapp is founded by Doug and Ted, two "CM enthusiasts" that have contributed towards extending the NFC capabilities as well as to the development of CyanogenMod. So how does it work?
You have to install CyanogenMod 9.1 on your Android smartphone and install the Tap! app. From there on you have to purchase an NFC card, and that can run you up to $5. Various store cards are available as well as Tapp Anywhere Card (fixed balance gift card) and CyanogenMod Tapp Card (that is reloadable).
CyanogenMod 9 also supports the app, but the team behind the project promotes it through their latest iteration, CyanogenMod 9.1 with CyanogenMod 10, based off Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, support to be available as well at a later time.
SimplyTapp separates the credentials of the card from the device, tying it to the card holder, according to the announcement. Modifications to the NFC stack basically require the use of CyangenMod in order to control point-of-sale payment functionality.
In case you want to give it a go, you should know that all you need is a CyanogenMod supported device with NFC capabilities.
Tapp! complements the list of NFC payment applications available for Android, but as it stands at the moment doesn't target all Android device owners, instead just on those that run CyanogenMod. That may look unconventional, but having CyanogenMod as a partner can benefit developers, who can take advantage of the name the popular Android development has made for itself in the modding community. Custom ROMs have exclusive features and to have a NFC payment app designed specifically for one doesn't strike as something unusual.
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