First it was PUSH (keypad driven devices), then came TOUCH (smart devices) largely in the ubiquitous mobile phone and now – TAP. Yes – simply TAP to get things done! How you say? Picture this…You get up in the morning, get ready to move out to work.
Looks good?
Say Hi to NFC!
NFC or Near Field communication enables two NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other with just a gentle TAP. Communicate through voice or data – no more activating BlueTooth, or waiting time to connect and then setting up communications. It’s simple – just TAP and communicate!
NFC is not new!
NFC has been around since 2003, though on a smaller scale. The roots of NFC trace back to RFID. NFC is a more evolved version of RFID. Nokia 6131 was the first mobile phone to have the NFC technology. Unlike RFID, that needs only hardware, NFC needs both hardware (an antenna and controller, both) and software (OS platform support, apps, etc.). One of the best examples of NFC in current times is the Google Wallet, an android app available on Nexus S. The app holds virtual versions of your credit cards, gift cards and coupons. All that one has to do is log into the app, enter your secret PIN code and TAP it on the merchant’s paystation to make a payment!
NFC functions in three modes:
Card Emulation Mode: This mode can make a mobile phone act as a credit card, enabling cashless transactions
Reader Mode: This mode makes NFC app-friendly as it enables the mobile phone to read inactive RFID tags on stationary objects such as stickers and posters. With this mode, tapping your phone on a movie poster incorporated with a reader tag would transfer movie trailers, timings, ticket cost, locations etc. onto your device.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) Mode: With P2P mode, you could exchange virtual money by tapping 2 phones together. Cash would no longer be a part of the transaction. It is also touted to be the next thing that will lead to multiplayer gaming experience!
NFC is not the same as Bluetooth
The closest NFC gets to Bluetooth is that it offers communication between 2 active NFC incorporated devices. However, NFC is faster than Bluetooth, though within smaller proximity. It also goes beyond transmitting data as it not only makes money transfer easier, but also reduces the waiting time in a queue. This is one reason why credit card companies and mobile phone manufactures are pushing to persuade sceptical merchants to adopt NFC – faster the queue, more the profits!
NFC is more than just a virtual wallet
A virtual wallet is only the beginning. NFC is the future, with limitless applications and possibilities. Some of the places that are more likely to see NFC are:
Health: It could act as a virtual physician by monitoring health connected to a health monitoring band and keep track of the functionality of the pacemaker, monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and calories!
Travel: It could replace hard copies of tickets with virtual tickets for trains, planes and buses with tickets printed on papers becoming a thing of the past
Security: It could unlock doors homes, hotels, cars and safes without you having to use a key
Telecommunication: Initiate Video chats and conference calls
What if you don’t have an NFC-enabled phone?
NFC will not be limited to NFC-enabled mobile phones. In future, it may be a part of your SIM cards and MicroSD cards, so you can make payments and use all features of NFC on your NFC-less phones.
NFC is not perfect…yet
The idea of leaving the wallet home may take some getting used to as most of us may not want to rely solely on an electronic device for all their financial transactions.
People are paranoid of being stuck with a malfunction of hardware or software that may occur.
The most important concern is security, an issue that is important for both, consumers and merchants. Wireless payment is vulnerable to hackers, so there are also possibilities of information being hijacked every time the mobile phone is tapped or swiped
NFC is here to stay
In the near future NFC is going to change the way we shop, eat at restaurants or watch movies. Currently, there is a lot to be sorted with respect to security measures, support from international carriers and merchants. The key players supporting NFC have been Google that added the app on the Nexus S, and Nokia that began incorporating it onto its phone a few years ago. MasterCard and Visa are gleefully rubbing their hands as the idea of virtual wallet could mean loads and loads of money.
In the coming months, NFC will be seen in Samsung the Galaxy S II, BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 and some HTC phones. So now, no more pushing or touching to move ahead – simply TAP! Got any questions? Click here
