NFC simply explains that radio technology can do this

NFC

With NFC, you can make contactless payments or pair your phone with a Bluetooth box in seconds. But what does NFC actually mean? We will tell you.

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table of Contents

1. What does NFC mean?

2. What can you use NFC for?
   

3. Which devices support NFC?
   

You have already encountered the term NFC in everyday life. Whether it's buying a new smartphone, setting up a Bluetooth speaker or it's about "contactless payment" But what does NFC actually mean?

What does NFC mean?

NFC representative nEar ˚FProduce C.Communication [near field communication]. Behind it is close-range radio technology. NFC can transfer data between two devices in one device The exchange distance is 10 to 20 cm

The short distance distinguishes NFC from other radio standards such as Bluetooth or RFID. Bluetooth achieves a higher range. The scope of RFID technology is also short, but the device cannot be used as both a transmitter and a receiver. Communication always has only one direction.

NFC has been around as a technology for a long time. For example, Nokia released an NFC-enabled smartphone in Germany in 2008. The "Touch and Travel" system introduced by Deutsche Bahn in 2011 is also based on NFC and has been discontinued. In recent years, the popularity of technology has accelerated. On the one hand, because there are more and more credit cards and current cards that support NFC, on the other hand, because Apple now also depends on technology. For a long time, popular manufacturers from Cupertino have refused to equip their iPhones with NFC chips.

NFC first introduced the iPhone 6 in 2014. So far, the functions of NFC on the iPhone have been very limited. For example, Apple does not allow data transmission through NFC, and Google even integrates special functions in its operating system with Android Beam to exchange data with NFC.

What can you use NFC for?

There are currently three main solutions for NFC. Therefore, this technology is often used for …

NFC tags and wireless charging

In addition, there are other application scenarios that are not yet popular in Germany. For example, the technology can be integrated into posters and replace the currently used QR codes. The poster will contain so-called NFC tags instead of printed QR codes. These NFC tags not only store links to websites or information, but also commands. For example, using an appropriately described NFC tag, a smartphone in the office may be automatically muted.

The NFC Forum also adopted new specifications in May 2020. In the future, wireless charging via NFC will also become possible. However, the technology was initially only used to charge IoT devices and wearable devices [such as fitness trackers]. So far, it is not clear whether wireless charging of gadgets via NFC requires a new chip, or whether the function can also be activated on old devices through software updates.

Which devices support NFC?

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Now, NFC has been installed in many smartphones, tablets, speakers and even smart watches. It is almost impossible to list all devices. However, you can check whether the device supports the NFC function yourself. If your smartphone or tablet is running Android, you can turn on NFC in the settings. In addition, the NFC logo on the right side of the device or package indicates NFC support.

The latest news about NFC

Use NFC on iPhone: The method is as follows
Possibility overview For a long time, NFC was not a problem for Apple. Since 2014, Cupertino [Cupertino] manufacturers have also used the local broadcast standard in their iPhones-but to a limited extent. Netzwelt tells you how …

NFC: the solution to the most common problems
So it can be used with connections Does the error message "NFC tag type not supported" keep flashing on your phone display? Not certainly. Netzwelt proposes solutions to the following most common NFC problems.