What Is Near-Field Communication? [Video]

Samsung’s Nexus S brings with it the newest tasty version of Android, Gingerbread. But the phone also comes with another technological bonus baked in. Here’s what it’s essential to find out about near field communication.

It’s another short-range wireless technology…

NFC isn’t really new or necessarily leading edge. As a matter of fact, it’s basically a variation of alternative short-range wireless technologies already used during the world-especially in Japan and Europe. Like RFID, near field communication can quickly swap information between devices once they’re touched together. You could possibly exchange things like text, images, URLs or other data using holding your phone up to varied ” smart tags.”

…that uses magnets to send data…

Based on inductive-coupling (think Powermat and other wireless charging schemes), NFC uses loosely coupled inductive circuits to replace power and/or data over a quick distance (usually about four centimeters). While it shares an analogous basic technology with things like RFID tags and contactless smartcards, NFC is implemented as a read-only tech within the Nexus S. Which means you’ll only get info from other NFC tags, not the wrong way around. These tags cost pennies to implement and may be embedded in nearly anything: stickers, posters, glass, etc.

…and is intended to make your life easier…

In theory. While it hasn’t enjoyed an identical popularity stateside, NFC tech is already big in Japan, where you should use your NFC-enable phone to buy train tickets in Tokyo or as a contactless payment system at various retailers. Google hopes that by including it in its new flagship Android device and open-sourcing the software, it’ll eventually change the manner people use and have interaction with their phone here within the US, too.

…But isn’t fully baked yet.

There are literally hundreds of use cases for NFC. But none of them are really up and running. Google has some ideas about what you may expect, though. Imagine going to a movie theater and seeing the newest Tron poster. Disney could stick a NFC tag inside, and it’s essential simply touch your phone up to that poster to grab the newest trailer. Other uses include everything from an improved check-in system for Foursquare to easier home shopping. Point your phone at a ” for sale” sign and instantly raise the URL where each of the house photos and details are listed.

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This post is tagged: basic technology, field communication, matter of fact, train tickets, wireless technology