NFC – How does it work and what is it for?

Those who are knowledgeable and interested in terms of technology or even simply own a tablet or smartphone, will probably have heard of NFC. But what is meant by this acronym and what does it mean exactly? Let’s start with the basics: NFC stands for Near Field Communication and specifically this technology allows two devices to connect to each other via a short-range Wireless system; these can thus exchange files or information simply by touching or even being one within the other’s radius of at most 10cm. Through this technology it is therefore possible to synchronize data bi-directionally between two devices, even completely different, since a peer-to-peer network is established.

After downloading the appropriate app, any user will see many possibilities of use opened up, from contactless payments, to data exchange, which is now outclassing the use of bluetooth, to the exchange of music between smartphones and NFC speakers. However, the use that today remains among the most interesting is the use of NFC technology to teach ad hoc tags that tell the smartphone what to do when the connection is made. In fact, when you are in possession of these tags, which are easily available and can be stickers or simple key rings, and thanks to the use of specific applications, it is possible to write commands within them that will be used later.But what does this mean practically? In reality, almost everything: from keeping one on the bedside table and once the smartphone is placed nearby, it is possible to automatically lower the ringtone and set the alarm, or arrange one in the car to open the navigator or the application of the speed camera and enable bluetooth for start pairing with the headset.

Not only that, one of the most widespread uses of these tags is certainly the storage of the home WiFi password: with a sticker placed in a place near the entrance, all your friends will no longer have to do meticulous copy paste operations to connect and navigate, simply bring the smartphone closer to the tag that will reveal the password. And finally, as seen in one of our posts related to Blockchain technology, Blockchain for Fashion, to view materials, production, authenticity and history of the garment we are wearing.