In the future, you may no longer need to physically touch your phone to a near field communication (NFC) terminal to make purchases or access train stations. The NFC Forum, the organization responsible for defining NFC standards, has recently unveiled a roadmap outlining their research and plans for NFC technology through 2028. One of the key priorities for the future of NFC is to increase its range.
Currently, NFC only works if two enabled devices are within 5 millimeters from each other. However, the NFC Forum is now exploring the possibility of extending the operating distance to “four to six times the current operating distance,” equivalent to about 30 millimeters or 1.18 inches. This extended range could lead to faster transactions and fewer failed ones, as a longer range would require less precision in antenna alignment.
Additionally, the NFC Forum aims to improve the current NFC wireless charging specification from 1 watt to 3 watts. This enhancement would enable wireless charging in “new and smaller form factors.” Although the forum has not provided specific examples, this advancement could potentially revolutionize how we charge our devices, making it even more convenient and accessible.
Another exciting capability that NFC technology might offer in the future is the ability to perform multiple actions with a single tap. The forum’s sample use cases include point-to-point receipt delivery, loyalty identification, and total-journey ticketing. This means that with just one tap or a single device, you could potentially validate transit tickets or venue tickets for your entire family. Moreover, NFC-enabled smartphones might also serve as point-of-sale devices down the line. Apple’s Tap to Pay feature already allows iPhone users to utilize their phones as payment terminals, and a standardized capability would broaden this functionality to more people, especially in developing countries where Android devices are more prevalent. This would empower small business owners and shopkeepers to accept mobile payments.
Related Post
While these plans are still in different stages of development, the NFC Forum has not yet provided a clear timeline for their implementation. However, they have stated that these initiatives are anticipated to roll out gradually over the next two to five years.
The potential advancements in NFC technology bring a myriad of possibilities for making transactions and accessing services more convenient and seamless. Imagine simply waving your phone near a payment terminal to complete a transaction or easily accessing public transportation with a single tap. Furthermore, the improved wireless charging specification would provide us with even greater flexibility and convenience when it comes to charging our devices.
NFC technology has already proven to be transformative in various industries, and these anticipated advancements only promise to enhance its capabilities further. As more devices become NFC-enabled and the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see increased adoption and integration of NFC in our daily lives. The NFC Forum’s roadmap sets the stage for a future where NFC technology becomes even more integral to how we interact with the world around us.
