Near Field Communication (NFC) An Introduction

kabilen sornum | april 2012

What is NFC ?

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology makes life easier and more convenient for consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.

How does NFC Work?

Just a simple touch between two NFC enabled devices

Video Use Case: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk5mUdeEF8c

Current & Future Solutions Areas

Access control Consumer electronics

Healthcare Information collection and exchange

Loyalty and coupons Payments Transport

Mobile Commerce

One Single Digital Wallet

Key Benefits of NFC

Intuitive NFC interactions require no more than a simple touch Versatile NFC is ideally suited to the broadest range of industries, environments, and uses Open and standards-based The underlying layers of NFC technology follow universally implemented ISO, ECMA, and ETSI standards Inherently secure NFC transmissions are short range (from a touch to a few centimeters) Interoperable NFC works with existing contactless card technologies

How NFC differs from QR codes ?

QR Codes work on any smartphone with a QR reader app NFC works only on NFC enabled phones QR Codes can be scanned from a much larger distance. NFC data exchange triggers only within around 4cm. QR codes are dependent on 3rd party QR reader app. NFC works just with a simple touch. QR codes need be displayed as an image. NFC does not require an image.

PROS CONS

QR CODES

inexpensive, print/display anywhere, all phones have the hardware, scan pre-composed

SMS messages

can be difficult or time consuming to scan, not always

weatherproof

NFC good native device support, weatherproof, quick and easy to scan, two way communication

possible

more costly, cannot be used in as many ways as QR codes,

limited phones supported at this time

NFC Enabled Devices

•   Android •   Nokia OVI •   J2ME •   Samsung Bada •   Nokia Meego •   Blackberry •   Windows Mobile •   Sagem, LG, Motorola, Wii

Apple iOS devices are NOT NFC enabled.

NFC in Singapore

Nokia introduced NFC in October 2011 Claims each tag cost S$5

Nokia has partnered ComfortDelGro to offer NFC-enabled option for the FastCall automated taxi booking services

NFC in Singapore

-  Used at POS using Visa pay wave, etc. -  National Heritage Board with SMRT to showcase 25 landmarks. -  Coca Cola used Clear Channel networks to deploy an interactive NFC tag

but also used a QR code for other users. (Download ringtones and Wallpapers)

Future of NFC

-  Google is actively promoting NFCs and discouraging QR codes

-  It’s still early days for widespread NFC adoption yet – mainly due to the lack of availability of NFC-enabled handsets.

-  Nokia currently leads the pack with five NFC-enabled smartphones (Nokia 603, Nokia 700 and Nokia 701, Nokia C7 and Nokia N9) available in the Singapore market, and other handset makers are just beginning to bring their NFC-enabled versions to market.

-  It will be difficult for them to see the value in introducing such phones into the market if there isn’t enough consumer interest or use cases of NFC, yet local businesses are unlikely to jump on NFC – rightfully cautious if they’ve tried implementing QR codes before – unless there is a critical mass of such users.

-  Things can change drastically if the reports about the next generation of iPhone adopts NFC.

Future of NFC

FRICTIONLESS The visual story of how NFC is going to change the world probably for the better Infographic : http://www.nfcrumors.com/infographics/NFCRumors-FrictionlessNFC.jpg

Kabilen Sornum E: kabilen@delinkx.com T: @kabilen www.kabilen.com