What useful uses for NFC enabled phones are there ?

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Mark

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#136574 2-Dec-2013 13:37

Well I caved in and bought a Nexus 5 (shiney!) and one of it's features is NFC ... but what can I use NFC for in New Zealand ? All I've found so far is a Coke machine.

garvani

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#944103 2-Dec-2013 13:39

Snapper uses nfc as far as i know. Theres a trial happening at the moment, for mobile based payments as well. Look up NFC tags for automating task's, i have a bunch coming in from china to have a play with.

MurrayM

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#944143 2-Dec-2013 14:14

I have an NFC tag in my car so I can just tap the phone on it and it sends a text message to my other half saying I'm on my way home.

If you download a couple of the NFC apps that are available you'll get an idea of the sort of things they can program the tags to do.

ajobbins

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#944160 2-Dec-2013 14:49

The (potentially) exciting thing about the Nexus 5 and Kitkat is Host Card Emulation (HCE).

This should bring security to NFC transactions without involving the SIM card, and therefore the carrier.

If you look at Snapper for example, their NFC implementation relies on you having the required 2degrees SIM card to make it work.

If you decide you want to change networks, you lose that functionality. This also limits other services you might want in future. Say your bank comes out with an implementation for NFC Visa on your phone, but they partner with Vodafone - you'd then have to choose which service (and network) you wanted, you couldn't have them both.

HCE means that the carrier (and their co-operation) is no longer required. I have it on good authority that it's carrier co-operation that is holding back many implementations now, or causing some services not to bother exploring the tech (Ie. They decided that having to partner/deal with a carrier is just too hard to bother).

Plenty of potential in the tech if HCE is proven to be secure (enough). Can be used for multiple payment solutions (transport cards, credit cards), for access control (Ie. building access), plenty of marketing uses, as an action trigger (ie. place device on a tile and initiate action such as turn on wifi).

Hope to see some exciting stuff in the near future.

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SumnerBoy

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#944163 2-Dec-2013 14:54

I am using NFC tags around my house (and one in my car) to activate various scenes and automation rules in my home automation system (openHAB). I have one behind the light switch at the front door and internal garage door, which when touched toggle the arrive home/leave home sequences (i.e. shutting off all appliances/TVs/lights and arming the alarm etc). I also have one under the coffee table which activates the 'bedtime' scene which I just touch as I am finishing up for the night and heading off to bed.