Contactless payment, printing and pairing Bluetooth headphones – it’s all possible with Near Field Communication (NFC)!
You’ve probably heard of ‘contactless payment’, but what is NFC and how does it work? Don’t worry, after reading this article you will know exactly what NFC is, how it works, and what surprising applications it offers, especially for your smartphone and other gadgets.
So brace yourself for a simple explanation of this wireless communication technology, and discover why it is quickly becoming indispensable in our daily lives!
MOST IMPORTANT POINTS:
- NFC is a wireless communication technology that enables data exchange over short distances and has various applications.
- Contactless payments and OV chip card replacement are some practical applications of NFC in everyday life.
- While NFC has built-in security measures, it is important to be aware of privacy and data protection/
The basics: NFC explained in simple words
NFC, or near field communication, is a wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices over short distances. 📱 It originated from RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.
How does the NFC technology work?
NFC uses inductive coupling, where two coils in the devices involved generate an electromagnetic field. This allows the devices to exchange data wirelessly.
One device serves as the initiator (starting party), while the other serves as the target (receiving party). The communication distance of NFC is limited to a few centimeters, which improves the security of the connection. More on that in a moment.
NFC in your smartphone: why is it so useful?
Modern smartphones often have a built-in NFC chip. This makes pairing devices, such as wireless headphones and speakers, a breeze. NFC offers advantages over other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, as it is faster and easier to establish a connection.
The role of NFC in contactless payments
NFC makes payments possible without physical contact, as you are used to with a debit or credit card. This is more secure than traditional payment methods, as there is no physical transfer of data that can be intercepted along the way.
Popular contactless payment systems are Apple Pay and Google Wallet. I myself regularly use Apple Pay, and I can tell you that it is a lifesaver – since I regularly forget to put my wallet in my pocket.
OV chip card and NFC: traveling with your phone
NFC replaces the public transport chip card for traveling by public transport. This also offers advantages such as convenience and speed. In the Netherlands, more and more public transport companies support the use of NFC instead of the OV chip card, so don’t underestimate the value of this!
Pair your headphones and other devices with one tap
NFC simplifies the pairing of devices such as headphones, speakers and printers. Many of these devices now have an NFC chip, which allows you to pair them with your smartphone with one tap.
Difference between NFC and RFID: what do you need to know?
NFC and RFID are both wireless communication technologies, but there are differences. Both technologies also have various applications, such as access control, contactless payment and object tracking.
However, NFC is more secure than RFID to begin with, as it has a limited communication distance. In addition, NFC communicates in both directions, while RFID only allows one-way traffic.
5 surprising applications of NFC that you didn’t know yet
Did you think the fun ended there? Not really! 😄
1. Smart posters: interactive advertising
NFC can be found in smart posters for interactive marketing. By holding your smartphone near the poster, you will receive additional information or offers. An example of a successful smart poster campaign is Coca-Cola’s Open Happiness campaign.
2. Smart loyalty cards: more than just loyalty points
NFC enhances loyalty cards with additional functionality, such as receiving special offers. Companies such as Starbucks and Albert Heijn already use NFC loyalty cards. One of the Albert Heijn is already in that purse of mine that I really need to take with me more often …
3. Access Control: Say goodbye to your keys
NFC can also be used as access control in buildings. This involves a combination of a kind of card with an NFC chip in it, and a lock with an NFC chip in it as well.
The two exchange the necessary data to eventually open the door for you – assuming you have the right key card for the lock in question! Examples of NFC access control systems are SALTO and Nuki.
4. NFC in healthcare: share medical data wirelessly
NFC is also used for sharing medical data, such as smart glucose meters (which send data to an app on your smartphone), and medical identification bracelets in clinical settings.
5. Gaming: Bring your favorite games to life
You also see NFC in the gaming world, such as in toys and accessories. Popular games and toy lines that use NFC technology include Nintendo’s Amiibo figures! ⤵️
NFC tags and NFC points: what can you do with them?
NFC tags and points are the physical points in which the NFC chips are incorporated. Sometimes this is a device, and sometimes a very thin sticker.
These chips can store and share data and serve a wealth of creative uses, such as automatically turning on your alarm clock when you put your phone on your bedside table.
Is NFC safe and what are the risks?
NFC has built-in security measures, but risks such as data theft and unauthorized access still exist. Ensure safe use of NFC by, for example, locking your phone and only allowing trusted apps to access the NFC functionality of your smartphone.
What about privacy and data protection?
NFC users can ensure their privacy by being aware of the data they share and taking data protection measures, such as using data encryption. This way malicious parties cannot simply access your information, and it is only released for use in trusted applications and usage scenarios.
You also have to be careful about where you pay contactless. You don’t want to be scammed by a scam artist with an ATM in your pocket, but your own mind plays a bigger role than the NFC functionality!
How do you use NFC on your Android phone or iPhone?
That differs per operating system, but I can tell you that iPhone owners are the fastest with this.
iOS
NFC is by definition on and always ready to use. You don’t have to go into any menus to enable it manually.
Android
- On your Android device, tap Settings.
- Tap More.
- Scroll down to the NFC and Android Beam options.
- Tap the NFC switch to activate it. Android Beam turns on automatically. (If Android Beam doesn’t turn on automatically, tap it and select Yes to turn it on).
It is also possible that the NFC logo (an ‘N’ with two arrows around it) is in the drag-down menu, which you can drag down from the top edge of your screen. Tap this once to turn on NFC, and you’re done!
Conclusion
I’ve taken you on an informative journey through the world of NFC, or Near Field Communication. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what it is, how it works, and why it’s becoming more and more common, especially in the context of smartphones and other devices.
Whether it’s contactless payment, smart marketing or connecting your headphones with the tap of a button: NFC makes our lives easier, safer and faster. Would you like to know more about related technologies and applications?
Then feel free to dive further into our treasure trove of articles. Thanks for reading, and we appreciate feedback if you share it with us!