Near Field Communication (NFC), the technology that powers contactless payments and data transfer, is set to undergo a significant upgrade in the coming years. The NFC Forum, the organization responsible for developing and maintaining NFC standards, recently unveiled its technology roadmap for the next decade. This roadmap outlines key objectives aimed at improving the future of NFC technology.
NFC is a wireless technology that enables devices to communicate and exchange data over short distances. It is commonly used in smartphones, smartwatches, payment terminals, transit cards, and other devices. However, the technology has certain limitations. The newly released roadmap addresses these limitations and provides a roadmap for advancement over the next five years, extending until 2028.
Expanded Range
One major drawback of NFC is its limited range. Currently, NFC devices must be within 5mm of each other to establish a reliable connection, such as when using a smartphone to make a contactless payment. The NFC Forum is working on increasing the range of NFC by four to six times, which would extend it to approximately 30mm. This would significantly enhance the speed and convenience of contactless transactions and activities.
Faster NFC Wireless Charging
NFC technology can also be used for wireless charging of small devices like earbuds. However, the current limitation is that NFC only supports 1 watt of power, which is insufficient for many devices. The NFC Forum aims to increase this capacity to up to 3 watts, making it easier to wirelessly charge small accessories and devices using NFC.
Enhanced Multi-Purpose Tap
At present, NFC supports only one action per tap. For example, if a user wants to purchase a concert ticket and join a loyalty program, they must tap on separate terminals. The NFC Forum intends to introduce multiple actions with a single tap, improving the contactless user experience and offering greater convenience and efficiency. With this enhancement, users will be able to buy a ticket, join a loyalty program, and receive a receipt, all with just one tap.
Device-to-Device Communication
NFC can also facilitate device-to-device communication, allowing smartphones to serve as payment terminals. This feature enables businesses and individuals to receive payments anywhere without the need for additional hardware or software. The NFC Forum aims to make this functionality native to NFC standards so that any NFC-enabled smartphone can function as a payment terminal.
The NFC Forum will provide a more detailed presentation of its technology roadmap in a public webinar on June 27th. In the meantime, you can learn more about the roadmap here.
Image credit: Shutterstock
Source: NFC Forum Via: AndroidAuthority
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Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
