Near Field Communication Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless connectivity technology standard designed for intuitive, simple and safe communication between electronic devices. NFC communication is enabled by bringing two NFC compatible devices within a few centimeters of one another or for the two devices to literally "touch" one another. Applications of NFC technology include contactless transactions such as payment and transit ticketing, simple and fast data transfers including calendar synchronization or electronic business cards and access to online digital content.
How will you experience NFC technology? NFC makes life easier - it's easier to get information, easier to pay for goods and services, easier to use public transport, and easier to share data between devices. You simply bring NFC-compatible devices close to one another, typically less than four centimeters apart.
The benefits of NFC technology are so attractive that many branded service providers are using NFC technology to enhance their services and customer experience. NFC-enabled services are fast and easy to use without compromising existing service security.
What everyday machines and devices are likely to be NFC-enabled? A wide range of devices and machines are likely to become NFC enabled. Here are some examples:
Mobile phones
Turnstiles
Parking meters
Check-out cash registers or "point-of-sale" equipment
ATMs
Office, house and garage doors
Personal computers
Posters, street signs, bus stops, local points of interest (with NFC-readable tags only)
Product packaging
How will NFC technology make life better in the future? Thanks to NFC technology, we will be able to "pick up" information from our environment. NFC technology allows mobile devices to "read" information stored in "tags" on everyday objects. These can be affixed to physical objects such as posters, bus stop signs, street signs, medicines, certificates, food packaging and much more. You will know where to find the tag by looking for the NFC Forum "Target Mark" on the object.
Here are some examples where NFC technology can help you capture information or trigger a chain of events.
We all walk past billboards and posters advertising products, but how often do we remember to act on our interest? By adding NFC-compatible "tags" to posters and magazine advertisements, we can read the tags with an NFC-enabled phone and immediately act - before we forget.
NFC tags can be used on special documents like parking permits, credit cards and money to prove authenticity.
An NFC hologram is copy-resistant and can be cancelled if it is stolen.
NFC enables simple and easy set-up of connections. For example, to connect a Bluetooth headset to a mobile phone, you just hold the devices close to each other and the connection automatically starts.
