High Tech Mobile Marketing – NFC (Near Field Communication)

What is NFC?

For those who aren’t familiar with NFC (Near Field Communication), it is a growing wireless technology used for sharing data. NFC uses re-programmable tags that require no batteries or power source, they are simply powered by induction when an NFC-enabled device gets near them. NFC tags are durable, they can be used behind glass or other non-metallic materials, and don’t require any ambient light or use of a camera to detect them.

Several cellular companies have already released phones with NFC capabilities. Google has produced the Google Nexus S, a smartphone manufactured by Samsung. Samsung has also come out with the Star, Aliva, Player One, and Tocco Lite. Nokia in particular has made a commitment to incorporating NFC into all of their smart phones starting in 2011 (Leading Mobile Operators announce their commitment to NFC Technology), and has already released a compatible Nokia C7 model. Even though the technology hasn’t become a popular demand in phones, many companies believe that it will take off if people see its potential. Google has announced that it is abandoning QR codes and investing on NFC technology (Google Kills QR Codes in Favor of NFC).

Day or Night, and Weather Resistant

The idea is that instead of using a QR reader to scan a barcode, it would be quicker and easier if you could simply wave your phone next to a NFC tag to acquire information. This would allow people to get the same information without having to worry about it being too dark to scan a QR code and worrying about the weather, as NFC tags are weather resistant. The NFC-enabled cell phones also use a type of messaging system with the tags so that webpages can be prompted to open right as an NFC tag is in range.

NFC Marketing and Applications

This technology holds potential for some very cool applications in the future. NFC tags could be used for tourists by applying them at “points of interest,” to create a virtual tour guide. Businesses could use a NFC tags to quickly direct someone with a smart phone to their website, or a specific marketing campaign. Imagine using these in a parking garage, you would be able to scan the NFC tag when you arrived, and when you were done it could use a mobile website to help lead you back to your car. The possibilities with NFC are truly endless, and 2011 will be there year we will either see these tags flourish, or left behind for something superior.

We believe the tipping point for NFC will be the support from Apple, and rumors continue to swirl that point to the iPhone 5 as being an NFC-enabled device. To see a list of the current phones that support NFC, visit A definitive list of NFC phones.

Also see:

High Tech Mobile Marketing – Short URL’s

High Tech Mobile Marketing – QR Codes