Google today was discovered as having bought previously low-profile firm Zetawire to improve its support for near-field communications (NFC) in Android phones like the Nexus S. The Toronto-based company had barely begun but had a US patent for an end-to-end way to pay for goods in person with a mobile device like a smartphone. It had closed the deal in August but hadn't been found until the 451 Group unearthed details in the wake of the Nexus S debut.
