NFC or Near Field Communication is Bluetooth like radio communication standard which can be established by bringing and touching two devices close. It’s range is not like Bluetooth of few meters, it is resisted to only few centimeters. NFC technology can transmit only small amount of information at a very slow rate.
History of NFC
NFC technology came under thinking in 1983 when the first patent wrt. to RFID system (NFC) was given to Charles Walton. But it started gaining some crowd in 2004 when Nokia, Philips and Sony established the Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum. Later on, various changes occurred, now it serves in various payment systems. One of the best example is Google Wallet which uses NFC – Near Field Communication for virtual payments through Google Wallet enabled phones at several shopping or other terminals. In India various cinema houses and Delhi Metro is also using this technology to serve tickets.
Features of NFC – Near Field Communication
- Instant payments and coupon delivery using your handset
- Transferring images posters for displaying and printing
- Secured due short range
- Exchange of other information like online calenders and business schedules with NFC Tags
- NFC can also pack Identity documents which can act as our electronic Identity card which is secured.
What are NFC Tags?
NFC tags look very similar to small plastic discs. In fact, a single NFC tag is very similar in size as that of a 10 pence piece. They do not require any power source to operate. They can easily draw a little amount of information from the android device to pass it effectively for the interpretation of chips present within the mobile device.
These days we have various NFC enabled devices and phones (about 40 handsets) around us. Google is offering NFC functionality via Android Phones better known as Google Wallet.