Another layer of protection lies in QNX Neutrino conforming to the POSIX standard, which specifies an API, and some shells and interfaces, for software compatibility between POSIX-compliant operating systems. "A POSIX API prevents the use of proprietary interfaces with the potential for insecure behavior and misunderstood results," among other benefits, according to the QNX website. The RTOS was designed from the outset for POSIX support, an approach that eliminates the need for adding a "complex POSIX adaptation layer" that some rivals RTOSs require. The result is faster performance and lower memory requirements for applications, according to QNX.

Much of this security infrastructure will be invisible to end users. But if mobile payment technologies actually find some traction, security or at least the need for it may become more pressing for end users. RIM been an enthusiastic adopter of near-field communications (NFC) in its BlackBerry , to support using them for "contactless" mobile payments. U.K.-based The Inquirer that RIM says it accounted for 80% of NFC phones shipped to U.K. retailers in the first quarter.

"I think that's where people want to go," says Totzke. "I sometimes forget my wallet, but I never forget my phone."

"Security has to become a little more in the forefront for consumers and a lot more in the forefront for device makers and app developers," he adds.

John Cox covers wireless networking and mobile computing for Network World. Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnwcoxnww Email: john_cox@nww.com Blog RSS feed: http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/2989/feed