Near Field Communication
Last week, we were lucky to have reps from HTC and TagStand speak to us about Near Field Communication. For someone who hasn’t heard of NFC (like myself), it’s a closed loop system that allows simplified transactions, data exchange and wireless connections between two devices when they’re in very close proximity (usually by no more thn a few centimeters)or touching.
NFC can be used with Smart Phones or credit cards to send or receive info to or from a reader. It can be used for a range of actions from making purchases, to starting your car, to track customer loyalty.
TagStand makes NFC chips, or tags. They program the tags (which have tiny antennae) and deliver analytics to the client.
HTC is making smart phones with NFC already built in. One of their models currently has it built-in and they are predicting that 70% of their phones will be NFC ready next year.
Will NFC replace QR codes? NFC is definitely easier to use than QR codes. Since stores don’t need equipment for QR codes, this will be one hurdle.
If Apple includes NFC in the future iPhones, it will bring another set of users. Do iPhone users trust Apple enough not to worry about how their information is being shared?
Super intreging, I often worry about how much my Smart Phone “knows” about me and what it does for me…Technology is astounding, but almost frightening to know the continued capabilities. How much information do u need to know anyways? You might as well peek in a persons window!! We used to knock on the front door…
mspastormbc
Wednesday 21 Dec 2011 at 20:44 PST