07-09-2014, 10:23 PM
Near field, communication (NFC) is actually a subset of radio frequency identification (RFID). It allows a reader to send radio waves to an electronic tag for identification, authentication and tracking. [1] In 2004, Nokia, Sony, and Philips came together to form the “NFC Forum”. This group is dedicated to promoting the security, ease of use, and popularity of near field communication. It aims to educate businesses about the technology and upholds standards that allow NFC to operate between different devices. Those who wish to create NFC compliant devices must meet these standards set forth by the “NFC Forum”. This ensures that any user with any NFC device can use it with any other NFC device or NFC tag. [3] NFC Forum formed in 2004.In, 2006 that the group produced the first set of specifications for NFC tags. NFC tags are small objects, like a sticker, that contain information that a NFC compatible device, such as a Smartphone, It can intercept when passed over the NFC tag. The information on the tag is usually read-only, but certain tags do allow alter old information on the tag as well. [2] In 2006, the specifications for “Smart” posters were created. Smart posters hold information that an NFC compatible device can read when passed over it. It can provide minor information. [1] The first NFC-compatible cell phone, the Nokia 6131 in 2006, In January 2009, NFC Forum released Peer-to-Peer standards to transfer contact, URL, initiate Bluetooth etc. As the years passed, more specifications emerged and the technology grew from payment methods to sharing videos, links, and game invites between Smartphone and other NFC devices. Android produced its first NFC phone, the Samsung Nexus S, in 2010. Today the NFC markets are most dominant in Europe, Asia, and Japan, though the United States is also seeing rapid growth in this field. It is estimated that NFC will soon evolve into a popular form of payment and data exchange technology in the United States. In 2011, Research in Motion is the first company for its devices to be certified by MasterCard Worldwide.