NFC is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 cm distance. NFC is an upgrade of the existing proximity card standard (RFID) that combines the interface of a smartcard and a reader into a single device.
Soon, your entire world could become a digitally immersive experience. Imagine it — a physical version of the Web, one in which everything (and maybe everyone) has a digital signature. You’ll have instant access to information about products, services, landmarks and even people, all thanks to near field communication (NFC) technologyand the smart tags that work with NFC.
NFC isn’t a fundamentally groundbreaking technology. Like Bluetooth and WiFi, it’s a wireless radio communications standard. In the wireless world, NFC’s closest relative is actually RFID (radio frequency identification). Retailers and parcel shipping companies in particular love RFID as a way to keep tabs on inventory supplies and shipments.
NFC Tags
NFC tags can be small stickers, which contain a small unpowered NFC chip. Depending on how the tag is programmed, it can change various settings, launch apps and perform certain actions just by holding your phone close to it. To do this, the tag takes a small amount of power from the smartphone and sends its stored information onto it.
At home
Stick an NFC tag near your entrance door and let it do things, such as enabling your Wi-Fi, turning off bluetooth and turning up the ringer volume. With the right app (Trigger, for example) you can program the tag to switch back the settings once you tap your phone on the tag a second time – disabling Wi-Fi, turning on bluetooth …
In the car
If you have a bluetooth compatible car radio or headset in your car, then an NFC tag will certainly make your life easier. Let it turn on your bluetooth so your smartphone automatically connects to your radio or headset and let it play your favorite playlist. Do you use your phone’s GPS to navigate? Use a tag to turn on Google Maps and disable turning of the screen while charging.
On the bedside table – to fall asleep and to finally wake up in time
To sleep
Obviously, you don’t want to be waken up in the middle of the night. That is why you mute your phone or put it in flight mode every time you go to bed. Let a tag do that for you with just a tap. Do you own a dock for your phone? Let the tag launch a nightstand app to have a dimmed clock and other content displayed.
To wake up
Get out of bed in time by forcing yourself to go to the bathroom and scan a tag in order to stop your alarm. Isn’t that a great idea?! Try the app Puzzle Alarm Clock which features include NFC
On your set of keys
By having an NFC tag on your keychain, you can save battery while you’re on the go without the need of Wi-F, for example. Let the tag switch off your Wi-Fi and raise the ringer volume. If you set the tag to “toggle”, it turns on your Wi-Fi and mutes your phone once you tap it again.
Control NFC devices with a ring
Getting tired of using your NFC enabled phone to control NFC compatible devices? Simply show them your finger! The Kickstarter project ´NFC Ring`, designed by John McLear, comes with two NFC inlays to store data or control other devices like the smart door lock Lockitron. One of the inlays is supposed to be for more sensible data or commands, like unlocking your door or phone, and the other one for more public data (Wi-Fi password, contact details …).
