Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology that enables fast and secure data transfer between devices. It is often encountered in Bluetooth systems and subway cards. NFC allows for the quick exchange of various types of data, similar to Bluetooth. However, unlike Bluetooth, NFC transfers data more efficiently and without the need for extensive permission settings.
NFC relies on antennas embedded in mobile devices. These antennas are typically located on the back of a phone’s battery or back cover. When two NFC-enabled smartphones are brought within a close range of about 20 cm (8 inches), they can easily communicate and transfer data. This capability opens up a range of possibilities beyond simple data transfer.
One of the most common applications of NFC is mobile payment. Services like Android Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay utilize NFC to enable contactless payments. By storing bank card information on a mobile device through NFC, users can complete payments swiftly by simply holding their phones near payment card readers.
NFC also serves as a convenient means of device pairing. When connecting an NFC-enabled mobile device to compatible devices like Bluetooth speakers, headphones, or televisions, users can simply hold their phones next to the target device, eliminating the need to enable permissions manually.
NFC tags function similarly to stickers and can store various types of information. For example, a home Wi-Fi password can be saved on an NFC tag and placed on a wall. When someone with an NFC-enabled phone holds their device near the tag, they can quickly copy the password and connect to the Wi-Fi network. NFC technology has also streamlined business cards. By embedding NFC tools in business cards, individuals or companies can share their contact information effortlessly. Others can retrieve the information by turning on NFC on their mobile devices and holding them near the card.
In recent developments, NFC rings have been introduced, allowing users to store significant amounts of information. These rings, which can be considered as smart rings, do not require charging since NFC does not consume battery power. Similarly, NFC tags, business cards, and other NFC-enabled devices do not need to be charged.
NFC offers a more seamless alternative to QR codes commonly used in business, advertising, and product interactions. Rather than scanning a code, NFC enables a simple touch or interaction, eliminating the need for scanning devices. NFC-enabled smartphones can also serve as transit passes, boarding passes, or even keys to open car and door locks.
NFC Payments operate similarly to tap-to-pay features like MasterCard’s PayPass. By touching or activating NFC on a smartphone near an NFC-enabled payment terminal, users can complete transactions without the need for a physical credit card. For instance, NFC-enabled phones can be used to pay parking meters, simplifying the process for users.
Additionally, NFC technology facilitates the transfer of various information without the need for cumbersome pairing processes. Android phones feature a Beam feature that leverages NFC to easily share webpages, videos, pictures, songs, contacts, and more. Users can initiate the transfer by touching the backs of their phones together, eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing. Similar sharing features can be found in Windows Phone and Blackberry devices.
In summary, NFC technology enables fast and secure data transfer between devices. It supports mobile payments, simplifies device pairing, allows for convenient sharing of information, and offers a range of applications such as NFC tags and NFC rings. With its ease of use and versatile capabilities, NFC has become an increasingly valuable tool in our daily lives.
Mawasiliano ya Karibu ya Shamba (NFC) ni teknolojia ambayo inaruhusu uhamisho wa data wa haraka na salama kati ya vifaa. Ni mara nyingi inakutana katika mifumo ya Bluetooth na kadi ya reli ya chini ya ardhi. NFC inaruhusu kubadilishana haraka ya aina mbalimbali za data, sawa na Bluetooth. Kwa upande mwingine, tofauti na Bluetooth, NFC inahifadhi data kwa ufanisi zaidi na bila haja ya mipangilio ya ruhusa. NFC inategemea antena zilizoingizwa katika vifaa vya rununu. Antenna hizi ni kawaida ziko nyuma ya simu ya betri au nyuma ya kifuniko. Kwa mfano, simu mbili za NFC zinapowekwa karibu na mtu wa karibu, zinaweza kuwasiliana na kuhamisha data. Uwezo huu hufungua uwezekano mbalimbali zaidi ya uhamisho rahisi wa data. Moja ya matumizi ya kawaida ya NFC ni malipo ya simu. Huduma kama Android Pay, Apple Pay, na Samsung Pay hutumia NFC kuwezesha malipo bila mawasiliano. Kwa kuhifadhi habari za kadi ya benki kwenye kifaa cha rununu kupitia NFC, watumiaji wanaweza kukamilisha malipo haraka kwa kushikilia tu simu zao karibu na wasomaji wa kadi za malipo. NFC pia hutumika kama njia rahisi ya kuunganisha kifaa. Wakati wa kuunganisha kifaa cha simu cha NFC na vifaa vinavyofaa kama vile wasemaji wa Bluetooth, vichwa vya sauti, au televisheni, watumiaji wanaweza tu kushikilia simu zao karibu na kifaa cha lengo, kuondoa haja ya kuwezesha ruhusa kwa mkono. NFC tags kazi sawa na stika na inaweza kuhifadhi aina mbalimbali za habari. Kwa mfano, nywila ya Wi-Fi ya nyumbani inaweza kuhifadhiwa kwenye lebo ya NFC na kuwekwa ukutani. Wakati mtu mwenye simu ya NFC anashikilia kifaa chake karibu na tag, anaweza kunakili haraka nenosiri na kuunganisha kwenye mtandao wa Wi-Fi. Teknolojia ya NFC pia imeboresha kadi za biashara. Kwa kuingiza zana za NFC katika kadi za biashara, watu binafsi au makampuni yanaweza kushiriki habari zao za mawasiliano bila shida. Wengine wanaweza kupata habari kwa kuwasha NFC kwenye vifaa vyao vya rununu na kuishikilia karibu na kadi. Katika maendeleo ya hivi karibuni, pete za NFC zimeanzishwa, kuruhusu watumiaji kuhifadhi kiasi kikubwa cha habari. Pete hizi, ambazo zinaweza kuchukuliwa kama pete za akili, hazihitaji kuchaji kwani NFC haitumii nguvu ya betri. Vivyo hivyo, vitambulisho vya NFC, kadi za biashara, na vifaa vingine vinavyowezesha NFC havihitaji kushtakiwa. NFC inatoa mbadala bora kwa nambari za QR zinazotumiwa kwa kawaida katika biashara, matangazo, na mwingiliano wa bidhaa. Badala ya kuchanganua nambari, NFC inaruhusu kugusa rahisi au mwingiliano, kuondoa haja ya vifaa vya kuchanganua. Kwa mfano, simu za mkononi zenye uwezo wa NFC zinaweza kutumika kama kadi za usafiri, kadi za kupanda, au hata funguo za kufungua milango ya gari. Malipo ya NFC hufanya kazi sawa na vipengele vya kugusa-kwa-kulipa kama PayPass ya MasterCard. Kwa kugusa au kuamsha NFC kwenye simu ya rununu karibu na kituo cha malipo kilichowezesha NFC, watumiaji wanaweza kukamilisha shughuli bila haja ya kadi ya mkopo ya kimwili. Kwa mfano, simu zenye uwezo wa NFC zinaweza kutumiwa kulipa mita za maegesho, ikifanya mchakato uwe rahisi kwa watumiaji. Kwa kuongezea, teknolojia ya NFC inarahisisha uhamisho wa habari mbalimbali bila haja ya michakato ngumu ya kuunganisha. Simu za Android zina kipengele cha Beam ambacho hutumia NFC kushiriki kwa urahisi kurasa za wavuti, video, picha, nyimbo, mawasiliano, na zaidi. Watumiaji wanaweza kuanzisha uhamisho kwa kugusa nyuma ya simu zao pamoja, kuondoa haja ya Bluetooth pairing. Vipengele vya kushiriki vinavyofanana vinaweza kupatikana katika vifaa vya Windows Phone na Blackberry. Kwa muhtasari, teknolojia ya NFC inaruhusu uhamisho wa haraka na salama wa data kati ya vifaa. Inasaidia malipo ya rununu, kurahisisha kuunganisha kifaa, inaruhusu kushiriki habari kwa urahisi, na inatoa safu ya maombi kama vile vitambulisho vya NFC na pete za NFC. Kwa urahisi wake wa matumizi na uwezo wa kubadilika, NFC imekuwa chombo muhimu katika maisha yetu ya kila siku.