Near Field Communication Technology

Near Field Communication Technology is a method of communication which enables two electronic devices to communicate with each other when they are within 2 inches of each other.
History – NFC is a subset of RFID with a shorter communication range for security purposes. In 2004, Nokia, Sony, and Philips formed the NFC Forum to promote the security and ease of use of NFC. Those who wish to create a NFC compliant device must meet the standards set forth by the NFC Forum. This ensures that any user with any NFC device can use it with any other NFC device or NFC tag. NFC tags are small sticker like objects, that contain information that a NFC compatible device, such as a smartphone, can access when passed over the NFC tag. The information on the tag is usually read-only, but certain tags do allow the device reading it to write new information to it or alter old information on the tag as well. The first NFC-compatible cell phone was Nokia 6131.
How does NFC work?
NFC identifies us and our bank account to a computer. It’s a short-range, low power wireless link which has been evolved from radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology that has the ability to transfer small amounts of data between two devices held a few centimetres from each other. No pairing code is needed, and because it’s very low power, battery is also not needed in the device being read. You just tap your phone on a contact less payment terminal is able to identify your account, your personal preferences, shopping habits etc and takes payment through an app on your phone.
Applications
1.Commerce – Can be used in contact less payment systems. Can make mobile payments to replace credit cards and electronic tickets.
2.Social Networking – NFC can be used for social networking, for sharing contacts, photos, videos or files and entering multiplayer mobile games.
3.Used as Tickets – Your phone can become your train, bus or ferry ticket. All you would have to do is swipe your device when you’re boarding and again when you hop off – getting rid of cards or passes.
4.Can connect phone to car – A Bluetooth-compatible car radio can be used with an NFC tag. You can program it to connect to your phone, play your favorite playlist or turn on Google Maps. This means you don’t have to touch your phone while your driving – it’s all synced up and playing your favorite beats or telling you when to turn.
5.Tourism – NFC can be used to guide tourists around a city. They can wave their devices in front of tags to give them information about iconic landmarks, download maps or coupons. The tech doesn’t require Wi-Fi and can transfer small bits of data to keep tourists informed. A nifty little smart city hack.
NFC is an upcoming technology which has a very huge potential of taking the world of technology by a storm and entering many aspects of our lives.