By Margaret Jules, freelance writer
Margaret has spent some time looking at what you can do with NFC (Near Field Communication). This is what she found …
NFC is a technology that enables data transfer from one NFC enabled phone to another NFC enabled one, for example. NFC tags, however, are small RF chips which may be inside stickers or wristbands. These tags store a small amount of information which may be transferred on to another device or NFC enabled mobile phone. With a maximum of 41 characters (for a standard NFC tag) and 132 characters (for a newer NTAG203 tag), information such as a URL or a telephone number can be stored in the tag for transfer. The data is stored in a specific format for making it read by most compatible devices.A number of interesting things can be done with an NFC tag.
Once you have downloaded the appropriate app onto your mobile phone, you can use the tag to turn your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on and off, for instance.
A tag can also be used to decrease brightness and auto-sync with other devices.
You can program the tag to change settings automatically – like if you are going out, just tap it and it will switch off the running applications automatically and immediately.
The tag can also be used while travelling. You can stick it on to your dashboard and it will perform functions like enabling or disabling Wi-fi and Bluetooth, plus increasing the volume.
If the phone is connected to the car’s speakers, you can use the tag to start up an application like Pandora.
At the workplace, the tag can be programmed in a way that it turns off speakers, enable Wi-fi and auto-sync and decrease brightness.
In the office you can also program it to perform functions like opening your daily activity list.
The tag can also be used to send text messages. Additionally, you can also disable its previously enabled features.
At home it can also be used on the phone dock nearby your bedside. You can use the tag to enable alarms and decrease the brightness.
The tag can also be used at times when you don’t like to get distracted or disturbed. For such a facility, the tag can be used to enable ‘airplane’ mode.
An NFC tag paired with an Android phone (which has a pre-installed NFC app) can also be used to give other people in the workplace access to your personal Wi-Fi without disclosing your password.
The NFC tag can surprisingly be used to operate your washing machine as well – just place the tag near your washing machine and begin a timer- this will enable an alarm to trigger when the washing is done.
The tag can also be paired with a Bluetooth enabled keyboard – all you need to do is tap it to switch it between on and off modes once you start typing and once again when you have finished your task.
An NFC tag can also be pasted to your key-chain and this will help you do your activities on-the-go.
Although these tags are not so popular right now – with so many activities to do with them, the future might seem to be just impossible without NFC tags.
Author biog
Margaret is a writer. She loves traveling, writing and spent time on her Android phone. Recently she bought a Tonino Lamborghini luxury phone.
