The way in which we pay for things has improved significantly over the decades. Technologies like credit cards and PayPal make payments far less complicated than in the past. NFC, or Near Field Communication, technology hopes to simplify payments even more by allowing people to transmit data from one device to another.
How will we use it?
This technology is mainly going to be integrated into smartphones. Phones are one of the things that we often carry around with us at all times. In fact, many of us have them in our hands while we’re ordering coffee or paying for groceries.
Incorporating NFC chips into smartphone designs allows users to store their credit card information in their phones. That way, when they’re at a business that is equipped with the technology, they can simply scan their phones at the register.
Google Wallet
Google is the first technology giant to launch a mobile payment system. Google Wallet is currently available on the Android Nexus S and may possibly work with other smartphones through an NFC-enabled sticker. A number of retailers have signed on to work with Google Wallet.
Apple, which is rumored to be working on a mobile payment system as well, will most likely not willingly open up their devices to the Google Wallet technology. Instead, they will most likely be releasing their own NFC systems very soon.
Other potential uses
NFC mobile chips will likely soon be doing much more than just helping you pay for your coffee. Some of those potential uses include:
- Replace passports and boarding passes
- Products might contain RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags on them that you can scan in order to gather information.
- Pet tags may soon have RFID tags attached that you can scan if you find a lost puppy.
- Replace keys – no more clunky key chains!
NFC mobile chips are undoubtedly going to make a big difference in everyday routines and activities.
For more information on NFC mobile chips and how they work, take a look at this article.
