It’s always amazing to me how many people become so well versed in the nomenclature of computing, especially with I/O protocols… DO you know what USB is, Firewire, Bluetooth, or WiFi? Most of us are quite familiar with these terms. IN the near future some new ones will come into view, such as: SSD (i.e. Solid State Drive technology), Thunderbolt, and in this post, NFC.
NFC stands for Near Field Communications, it is a wireless protocol which is like a very short range Bluetooth connection (about an inch or two…) which uses a variant of RFID technology. The net result is that this technology will likely be in your next cell phone. Google intends to create an infrastructure for retail, where you will use your phone (or equivalent device) instead of a credit card…just open the right app, and hold the phone to the retailer’s receiver…everything is done…
Engadget Primed: What is NFC, and why do we care?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/engadget-primed-what-is-nfc-and-why-do-we-care
Behold, the magic of NFC
NFC, the brainchild of Sony and NXP, is at the bottom of the wireless totem pole. It allows two devices embedded with chips to snuggle up together and transmit small pieces of data between each other when they are in close proximity. This data can be credit card information, coupons, tickets…you get the idea. As all of this is rather sensitive, it means you’ll need to get up close and personal with the other device in order for it to suck down your data — a simple swipe or tap should do the trick, and your most intimate bytes will soon be whisked away into the wilds of the internet.
The introduction of Google Wallet felt a little too good to be true, didn’t it? It’s magical, like the tech equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. In reality, the tech behind mobile payments has been around since 2003 on a much smaller scale using near-field communications, more commonly known as NFC. The idea behind Wallet (amongst other services, like ISIS) is contactless pay — using your phone as a credit card — and is just one of the many ways NFC can be useful in our everyday lives. In fact, we’re only scraping the surface of what’s theoretically possible.
Google is definitely not the first company to dabble in NFC, but it appears to be poised and ready to push the tech’s adoption forward at a rapid pace with the advent of Wallet and Offers. Until now the coals have been hot; but if a fire’s going to start, someone monolithic has to throw a few newspapers in as kindling — and Google volunteered. But what good is NFC if it’s just an acronym that causes our eyes to glaze over? Is El Goog the only instigator? After the break we’ll focus on what NFC is capable of, and why we want it on our phones as soon as yesterday.
NFC, the brainchild of Sony and NXP, is at the bottom of the wireless totem pole. It allows two devices embedded with chips to snuggle up together and transmit small pieces of data between each other when they are in close proximity. This data can be credit card information, coupons, tickets…you get the idea. As all of this is rather sensitive, it means you’ll need to get up close and personal with the other device in order for it to suck down your data — a simple swipe or tap should do the trick, and your most intimate bytes will soon be whisked away into the wilds of the internet.
Remember RFID? That’s the baby that started it all, and it’s been around since the ’90s. RFID microchips are installed in reader tags that can be found in a number of everyday items — they’re found in stores, supply chain equipment, animal tags, and even "smart" passports. There’s a good chance you already take advantage of it if you have a MasterCard PayPass. There’s a RFID chip installed on your credit card that, when tapped on the payment station, will complete your purchase without needing to go the "old-fashioned" route.
Since NFC is based on the same technology, it’s easy to mistake it for RFID. It takes the same type of chips and bumps it up a notch by adding computing power. That’s why putting it on a phone is so critical; NFC not only needs the proper hardware but the right software (OS platform support, apps, etc) as well.
Google Wallet is a prime example of blending hardware and software together. The Wallet is an Android app (available only on Sprint-powered Nexus S phones at first) that will store virtual versions of your credit cards, gift cards, and coupons. Go into the app, punch your PIN code in, and you’ll be able to tap your phone onto the merchant’s paystation to checkout and purchase stuff. But this app wouldn’t do a thing if the Nexus S didn’t have an NFC chip already built-in.
Google Wallet Hands-On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9wYEkRAgs&feature=player_embedded
Near field communication
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication
Near field communication, or NFC, is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 4 cm or less. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and at rates ranging from 106 Kbit/s to 848 Kbit/s. NFC always involves an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power a passive target. This enables NFC targets to take very simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that do not require batteries. NFC peer-to-peer communication is of course possible, where both devices are powered. According to the NFC Forum, the three main uses of NFC currently are “sharing, pairing, and transaction.” [1] Global companies are interested in NFC’s ability to provide pervasive marketing, simplify processes, and facilitate contactless payment for goods.
NFC Technology: 6 Ways It Could Change Our Daily Lives
http://mashable.com/2010/05/06/near-field-communication
Google Wallet Makes It Easier to Pay for Goods through Near Field Communications
http://www.tmcnet.com/topics/articles/183328-google-wallet-makes-it-easier-pay-goods-through.htm
