Top Uses for NFC Technology in Your Everyday Life
NFC has been making waves lately, being used at sporting events, concerts, and restaurants in place of QR codes. NFC is even making its way into the clothing industry and consumer packaged goods (CPG). Here are ways to use NFC in your everyday life so you stay up to speed with the world around you.
How to use NFC
NFC stands for Near Field Communication, which is a technology that uses electromagnetic radio waves to allow two devices to exchange data when they are in close proximity to each other. When two NFC devices come in proximity to each other, they can automatically establish a connection, and data can be exchanged between the devices.
NFC Uses
On-the-go payment - You can use NFC to make purchases on the go and technology is making it more widely available. Wireless payment systems will soon allow us to pay for goods without ever having to take our wallets out of our pockets.
NFC tickets - NFC can be used to store and read event tickets. This has been used in the sports industry to eradicate paper tickets and allow entry to games. Ticketmaster also has a system that allows event-goers to use their smartphones to gain entry to shows.
NFC wearable - Smart clothing has been an interesting concept for a while, but it is making its mark on the market. NFC has been used to make clothing interactive and, with the technology being embedded into clothing, you can receive information about your outfit and its care.
NFC travel - At airports, NFC has been used to allow visitors to access information about the airport and their flights.
NFC Around You
Self-checkout - Self-checkout has been a standard part of shopping since the 90s. In recent years, it has become more interactive with the introduction of touchscreens and scanning items with the barcode. Now with NFC, shoppers can select the items they want to buy, scan them with the app on their phone, and pay for them.
Car park ticket - Parking can be a pain, especially when you have been caught out by the meter running out. To avoid having to keep an eye on the clock, some parking machines have been updated to accept NFC payments.
Ticket vending machines - If you travel and like to use public transportation, you may have encountered ticket vending machines that don't accept cash. You can now use NFC to purchase your tickets and avoid the hassle of finding an ATM.
NFC in real life
NFC for your health - The health industry is leading the way when it comes to NFC. NFC has been used to log health data, such as blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels. You can also use NFC to log the results of your medical tests, such as a cholesterol test or diabetic test.
NFC in your wallet - Your wallet is likely to be the most NFC-friendly place around. The wallet has been a staple in the fashion industry since the invention of the loafer. Now, wallets have evolved to include RFID chips in place of cash and cards.
NFC in your car - Keeping your keys in your wallet is always a good idea, but when it comes to your car, you will have to choose between leaving your keys at home or having them on your person. NFC has been used with car keys, allowing you to unlock the doors with your phone and start the ignition with the press of a button.
Bottom line
There's no doubt that NFC is a remarkable technology that has the potential to change the way we interact with the world around us. However, it is still in its infancy and needs to be integrated into more day-to-day tasks if it's going to be relevant to everyone. Now that you know what NFC is, what it does, and how it is being used, you can't be left behind in the dust. You need to be prepared for the future and know how to use NFC to your advantage.