Getting to know the specifications of your smartphone, you may come across a mention of NFC. Let’s check what it is
Every modern smartphone has several means of wireless communication. For example, LTE is used to send data over cellular networks. Bluetooth helps connect a wireless headset. What does NFC do? The answer to this question is contained in this article.
Table of Contents
What is NFC?
NFC is a method of sending data over a very short distance. This means that the range of such a connection does not exceed 10 cm. This is the main difference between NFC and Bluetooth technology, hitting at a distance of 1 to 10 m. Therefore, this function cannot be used to connect wireless headphones and other similar purposes. NFC module sharpened by other actions.
The technology is based on RFID – radio frequency identification. It turns out that primarily NFC is used to understand the electronic device that the gadget is attached to it. But the technology implementation is such that both objects cannot be active. This should only be the device with which information is read. That is why bank cards with the so-called NFC tag are commonly used nowadays – it is simply passive, while the terminal is equipped with the already active NFC chip (otherwise it simply could not read the information).
Initially, this technology was created to quickly connect two electronic devices. The fact is that identification via NFC is noticeably faster than via Bluetooth – it takes one tenth of a second. Each smartphone contains an NFC chip with unique identification information. When attached to, for example, the action camera, he understands that it’s your gadget. As a result, the process of configuring the remote control application is significantly accelerated.
The module operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. You cannot transfer large amounts of data through it, as the speed ranges from 106 Kbps to 848 Kbps.
Which devices have NFC support?
Gradually, the NFC chip receives more and more electronic gadgets. However, somewhere its use may be limited by software. For example, the iPhone module is present, but it is only used for contactless payments via Apple Pay. It cannot be used for other tasks. Therefore, the combination of wireless accessories with Apple technology is done in the old way. At least this was the case at the time of writing. It is possible that in the future the “apple” giant will reconsider its approach to NFC.
Active NFC chips are found in the following devices:
- Smartphones,
- Tablets (much less often)
- camera;
- Video cameras;
- Smart watch;
- Fitness bracelets;
- Payment terminals;
- Game consoles (for example, information from Miibo data is transmitted via NFC);
- Audio.
As for the passive NFC, they can be equipped with:
- Bank cards;
- NFC tags and key rings;
- Travel arrangement;
- Smartphone accessories.
Of course, this is not a complete list, because experiments with technology are ongoing.
What is NFC most often used for?
We have already talked about one popular method of using NFC – fast synchronization of two devices with each other. And if previously most often users connected a smartphone and a camera, in most cases NFC is required to quickly identify headphones, smart watches, fitness bracelets and other accessories useful on the phone.
The contactless payment method is also implemented using NFC. Some bank cards have a corresponding label. What’s more, you can pay for the goods with your smartphone if the user is registered in Android Pay. The exception to this rule is Samsung Pay – this technology uses a special magnetic field (MST) instead of NFC.
Markers are another area of application for relatively new wireless technology. They can be delivered with a smartphone, attached to smart home devices or sold separately. For example, the smart lock can be equipped with an NFC tag – to open it, simply connect a smartphone or a special key ring. In addition, the NFC tag may be somewhere on the table. In this case, the nature of its use is programmed by the user through a special application. For example, the smartphone next to this tag can be configured to turn on the music player or other activities.
How to use NFC?
There is nothing complicated about using any wireless technology. NFC is no exception to the rule. Just activate this layout in the settings. For modern versions of Android, this is done as follows:
- Step 1. Go to Settings .
- Step 2. Go to the ” Connections ” section .
- Step 3. Visit the ‘ NFC and payments ‘ section.
- Step 4. Activate the appropriate switch. At the same time, you’ll probably need to turn on Android Beam .
This is it! If you want to pay for purchases using your smartphone, get ready to visit the appropriate subsection. In addition, you must enable unlocking with a PIN or fingerprint scanning – for security reasons they will not give you another choice.
In the future, the user does not require any special actions. Do you want to make a purchase? Unlock your smartphone and connect it to the terminal. Do you want to configure communication with the action camera? The appropriate application was started and a smartphone was connected to the camera. In short, all activities are simple and intuitive.
Summary
Now you know what NFC is. This technology first appeared on the Nokia 6131, released in 2006. But then it did not become popular, because there was simply no proper infrastructure. Now the NFC function is present in terminals, “smart homes” and all kinds of electronic equipment. If your smartphone has the right chip, you must be happy. But you shouldn’t be worried about his absence – many people have never used NFC at all without feeling uncomfortable. However, the cost of the chip has become less and less recently. Therefore, there is a large number of inexpensive smartphones with an NFC module.
Have you tried NFC at work? Or in your hands until there are devices with such a module? Share your thoughts in the comments.
