NFC Support Baked Into Google's Latest Version of Android OS

Google's Android developers published a video showing off some of the new capabilities in the upcoming Android 2.3 (AKA Gingerbread), and OS support Near Field Communications support is definitely in the mix.

While the video focuses heavily on the mobile operating system's improved gaming, graphical and audio capabilities, the last Google representative to speak shows how NFC can be used to read and translate promotional or retail information, it's not much of a stretch to see the technology applied to mobile payments. Google's splash into NFC with Android, paired with the recent announcement of Isis, a joint venture by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile to build a mobile NFC payments network, show that both the phone software developers and mobile carriers are keen to get in on mobile payments.

How long until the banks and traditional payment solution vendors join the NFC conversation?

Still not sure on what NFC is and how an Android device uses it? Google made a video explaining that, too.