The NFC Forum has launched a competition to try and find an application for NFC technology that might make someone want the feature on its handset, and this time it's offering cash prizes - though it won't say how much.

Last year's competition generated some interesting ideas, but no killer application that will have punters asking for NFC-equipped kit. So this time the Forum has decided to offer cash prizes in the hope of attracting a better class of entrant.

Entrants will still have to stump up €350 if they're not already a member of the Forum. Members can enter for a reduced €200, while students can sneak in for €50, but the Forum is also seeking more sponsors who can pay up to €7500 for the privilege of not being able to enter at all.

It seems the level of prize money will depend on finding some more sponsors, though cash of some sort is promised.

Near Field Communications is a technology that's been looking for an application for a while now, and desperately needs to find one the ongoing economic situation makes manufacturers more price sensitive. Right now it's a feature that even the most expensive handsets don't offer, and it's going to take a pretty spectacular application to get it widely embedded. ®

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