Nfc range. What is NFC

How often do you use NFC on your device? If yes, then we can congratulate you: you make up one percent of the population. But seriously speaking, there are very few people who use NFC, maybe only geeks. And why all? Because people don't know how to use it properly, for many it is the same as gestures in Samsung devices. But let's dispel the myth about the uselessness of NFC and talk about all the main advantages of the technology. A small note: we will look at how NFC works in conjunction with NFC tags, and you will now find out what it is.

To begin with, it is worth noting that there are not many devices that support the NFC antenna; these are mostly top-end devices from well-known brands. So before you run to the store in search of NFC tags, make sure your device has NFC.
As for NFC tags, they are small objects equipped with NFC chips; they also do not need energy, since they receive it when interacting with a smartphone at a short distance. Now let's move on to using labels.

“Distribute” Wi-Fi? No problem

Using NFC tags, you can “distribute” the Internet without any manipulation, you don’t even have to open the “curtain”. To do this, you just need to stick the tag in any place convenient for you, on your desktop, for example, and if you come to work, put your smartphone on the tag, it will automatically start “distributing” the Internet.

Night mode

Imagine the situation: in the evening, when you go to bed, you turn off Wi-Fi, mobile data transmission, and turn on silent mode; in the morning, when you wake up, you do the same manipulations, but in reverse order. Now imagine that you have an NFC tag: you place or stick it next to your bed, and that's it - problem solved - now if you decide to go to bed, just move your device to the tag and you're done.

Tag in the car

In addition to indoors, the tag is quite convenient to use in your car. To do this, you can stick it, for example, on a dashboard, and in the morning, when you are still awake from sleep, you have no desire to turn on GPS, mobile data transmission, or open a navigator application, an NFC tag will come to your aid: bring it to smartphone, and the problem is solved. Every morning you will save 5 to 10 minutes of your time.

Start your laptop with a tag

You can make your laptop turn on when wireless networks are active; bring your smartphone up and your laptop is turned on.

Guests want Wi-Fi password?

Are you tired of entering a complex Wi-Fi password for your friends every time? With NFC tags this is not a problem. To do this, just stick the tag in a place convenient for you, and if your colleagues ask for Internet access, you will direct them to the tag.

Using a Bluetooth headset is now easier

If you are a fan of listening to music on a Bluetooth headset, then tags will make your life much easier. You just need to stick the tag to the headset, and if you put on the earphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the music application will automatically turn on in your smartphone.

Notes in Evernote

Using tags, you can not only launch the Evernote application, but also open specific notes in it. This will help you if, for example, you decided to cook a dish, but forgot how to cook it, in this case, bring the device to the mark - and in front of you is your recipe.
Note that for the tag to work, it needs to be programmed; applications in the Play Market will help you do this, and there are a lot of instructions on the Internet. So if you still think that NFC is unnecessary, you should try it yourself.

Today in the mobile industry there are many interesting technologies, including NFC. Most smartphone users have not yet figured out this function and do not know what NFC is in the phone, why this module is needed and how to understand whether it is present in a certain device.

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. Translated, this means “close communication”. The main nuance is the small radius of action, this figure is no more than 10 cm.

This function allows you to exchange information contactlessly. It is important that when transmitting data, the devices are close to each other, for example, a smart card, a payment terminal, etc.

NFC is based on RFID, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification. The technology is radio frequency identification, which identifies various objects automatically. In this case, a special radio signal is used to read the required information contained in the transponders, which are defined as an NFC tag.

The main features of the presented technology include the following points:

• small sensor size;
• allows you to exchange any information with smartphones and passive gadgets;
• does not require a lot of energy to operate;
• low speed at the time of information exchange;
• pairing with the desired device takes no more than 0.1 seconds;
• low cost of technology.

Due to its small size and low power consumption, this function is popular and can be easily installed in many devices.

Is there a difference between NFC and Bluetooth?

NFC on a phone is often compared to Bluetooth. This is mainly due to contactless transmission and short range. At the moment, these functions are being implemented directly into new smartphones.

There are significant differences between the technologies presented. The main nuance is the speed of work. For example, NFC is much slower, but uses little power, and pairing is instant and automatic, unlike Bluetooth.

For example, to use Bluetooth, you will need to turn it on, then open the list of available devices, select the one you need and wait for the phone to connect to it. While Near Field Communication takes less than a second to get started on its own, you only need to touch your cell phone to the desired gadget.

The next difference is the transfer speed. For example, NFC has a speed of 424 kbps, and Bluetooth, version 2.1, has a speed of 2.1 Mbps. At the moment, Bluetooth version 3.1 is being introduced into some smartphones, which reaches speeds of up to 40 Mbit/s.

The third difference is the field of action. For Bluetooth, this figure is no more than 20 cm, and for NFC - no more than 10. This is an advantage for this communication, because such a small radius will guarantee that you will not connect to an unnecessary gadget.

The presented communication is built not only into phones, but also into other gadgets, for example, payment terminals. The receiver itself does not require much space; it is mainly mounted in the free space between the smartphone battery and the cover. But if the phone cannot be easily disassembled and you cannot look at its insides, then how can you determine the presence of NFC?

Please read the external signs on your phone carefully. Often developers indicate a small emblem in the form of antennas directly on the cover of the mobile phone, indicating the presence of the technology. The icon will also be located in the top pop-up menu of the phone.

At the moment, NFC is being implemented in all Android smartphones, the version of which is at least 4.0. Another way to find out about the presence of communication is to go to settings, select the “Wireless networks” column, then click “More”. If the function is listed there, check the box next to it.

This option is also often found in cards designed to pay for travel, or in bank plastic. In addition, it began to be built into household appliances, this includes new refrigerators with the “Smart” option.

Since the release of this technology, some users have been wondering what uses there are. The device can operate in two modes.

1. Active. Implies that two gadgets have NFC technology.
2. Passive. The working field of only one of the devices is applied.

The presented communication is designed as a chip that operates in two modes. The first is intended for mutual data exchange between devices. The second one is usually used on special work passes, metro cards, etc.

The most popular use case is contactless payment. Link your bank card to your smartphone, and when paying, touch your phone to the terminal. This method guarantees protection from scammers. Attackers will not be able to intercept the signal due to the small field of action of NFC.

You don't need to carry the card with you; you can pay in stores by touching your phone to a terminal that supports contactless payment. How to use the function?

1. You must have a special bank card that supports the paypass option.
2. Install the application from your bank.
3. Log in to your personal account and go to the main menu.
4. Select the NFC column.
5. Then place the card on the back of the phone. This is required for the sensor to read information on it.

Information exchange

The second use case involves information exchange. To do this, you need to install the Android Beam application. This software will allow you to transfer various files to another smartphone.

Do not forget that the transfer speed will be extremely low, which is why it is recommended not to send heavy files, but to limit yourself to sending messages or links.

To use this feature, you must enable NFC in settings. The activation point is located in the “Wireless networks” column. Then specify which connection you require.

The last option is not recommended due to the low transfer speed. To send the necessary data, you must touch your phone to another. Next, the system will ask you to confirm the operation; place your finger on the screen. When the sending is complete, you will hear a signal.

Reading marks

The third method of use involves reading labels. Its operating principle is similar to scanning a QR code. True, in the case of NFC, it is not a mobile camera that is used, but a sensor under the cover.

The presented function is especially useful for home life. Creating your own tags will require installing a special application that can be downloaded from the Play Market. You can independently assign a specific task to a specific label, for example, “send a message”, “call”, “write a letter”, etc.

Popular programs include:

• ABA NFC. Allows you to create a simple symbol;
• useful software for connecting to Wi-Fi without a password. That is, your guests do not need to search for wireless Internet and enter a password; they just need to touch it to a phone connected to this network;
• SmartTag Maker. The presented application is suitable only for those who have Sony smartphones.

Such tags are passive. This is explained by the fact that they do not require power to contain information. They have a very small volume, only sufficient to store the required command. These tags are commonly called TecTiles. To read them, just bring the gadget up, after which the command will be activated.

Smartphones can not only read data, but also save it. The main nuance is to install a special program. Download the app from the developer who made your phone, or find it on third-party resources. Software for creating records can be paid or free. Before installing it, be sure to read the description. It is important that it supports the brand of your smartphone.

You can also purchase TecTiles as a smart card, key fob, fitness bracelet, electronic key or sticker. It is worth noting that such gadgets have a larger volume. Experts recommend not saving when purchasing this technology. The quality of communication must be high, then it will last for a sufficient time.

Pros and cons of the module

Among the main advantages are low energy consumption, reasonable price, ease of use and safety. But before you start using NFC, you need to familiarize yourself with some nuances.

Let's look at the main disadvantages of NFC.

1. Small work radius. This brings some discomfort when using. Although, at the same time, this indicator creates maximum protection. You will not be able to accidentally issue a command, pay for a purchase, etc.
2. Uncontrolled creation of modifications for NFC. For example, the developers of Sony and Haomi set about refining the transmission technology. They independently make consumables that work only with their company’s gadgets. In other words, to use all NFC options, you will have to purchase only specific brands of smartphones. This also includes the installation of special applications from the same developer.

Some of the shortcomings are being corrected gradually. The developers do not abandon their technology and constantly make various improvements.

Conclusion

Today NFC is a modern solution designed for sending information. But not all smartphones support this technology. If your phone is not modified, then you can purchase a special antenna yourself. Install it under the cover of the gadget or take the spare parts to a service center, where a specialist will do everything for you.

Another way to get hands-on with NFC is to buy a special accessory. Today, many companies offer to purchase memory cards and SIM cards with built-in NFC.

NFC adoption hasn't been spectacular, but that won't last long. Nowadays it is mainly used for making monetary transactions, although there are other areas of application. The main advantage of the modification is safety. Its operating principle eliminates accidental transfers of data and money to other devices.

Articles and Lifehacks

Content:

Surely many users have previously encountered the abbreviation NFC.

We will talk about what NFS is in a mobile phone, as well as the features of using this useful function on Android.

NFC - what is it?

NFC can be deciphered as “near field communication”, or “contactless near communication”.

This is a special modern wireless communication technology, thanks to which it becomes possible to exchange information at high radio frequencies between devices at a short distance (about 10 centimeters).

In this case, physical contact between two phones is not required.

Previously, this technology was most widely used for contactless payments in the field of trade and transport services. Today it is known for its active penetration into the mobile field.

Almost every famous device equips its devices with NFC modules.

Thanks to this, we can use our mobile phone to communicate with various electronic equipment - for example, when we use it as a means of payment by installing a special program.

At the same time, the level of data protection is quite high.

Thus, our mobile device today can be used not only as a means of communication, but also for transmitting and receiving information, paying for purchases and purchasing transport tickets.

We have the right to make it a virtual payment card, or a pass to any enterprise.

In addition, it is very convenient to use NFC tags and smart cards, as well as quickly exchange information.

What is this NFC in the phone, what is the purpose of the small chip? Let's discuss the functionality of the technology, talk about its features and capabilities. Read our review to find out all the necessary information and find out whether it is worth buying a device equipped with this option!

What it is

Let's start the review with a definition and understand what NFC is in a smartphone.

Near Field Communication or literally “near field communication” is a special wireless communication interface between several devices. It looks like a tiny electronic chip that is placed inside the device, communication is provided by induction within a magnetic field.

We’ve figured out what NFC means in a phone – let’s look at the features of the technology available to every user.

• The minimum range of action is only 10-20 centimeters;
• Possibility of exchanging passive tags;
• Super compact size;
• The highest degree of security and data encryption;
• Low power consumption;
• Low data transfer speed;
• Connection time – up to 0.1 seconds;
• Low cost.

The NFC module for an Android smartphone is hidden under the body - its small size allows it to be installed even in small phones. The range is enough for high-quality connection of several devices.

It’s worth taking a little closer look at the security parameter.

• It is the short distance that reduces the risk of losing important data;
• It is almost impossible to steal and intercept information - there is no vulnerability from external connections;
• Special encryption keys allow you to simultaneously receive and transmit data - devices compare information and do not allow connection if there is a mismatch;
• Contactless payment requires user confirmation (fingerprint, code or face scan). Even if the smartphone is lost, the attacker will not be able to use money and personal data.

You already know what it is – an NFC module in a phone or other device. It's time to talk about what opportunities it gives users!

Technology functionality

You just need to know what NFC is for if you want to purchase a device that supports the technology. Many users mistakenly assume that the main purpose is contactless payment in stores, but you shouldn’t stop there!

NFC technology in smartphones is used for comfortable use of the device - you can get the maximum benefit without extra effort!

Emulation of bank cards or NFC payment is the most common feature, as mentioned above. You can link a bank card to your device and pay for purchases with one touch! What needs to be done?

• Make sure that your card is marked “PayPass”;

• Make sure that the payment system application is installed on the device - for example, Apple Pay or Google Pay;
• Link a bank card to your device.

That's all - now the NFC function in the smartphone comes into effect:

• Wait for a signal from the bank terminal;
• Place your phone on the terminal;
• If necessary, enter your password or scan your fingerprint.

Ready! The money has been debited, the purchase has been paid for - everything is very simple and accessible even to a beginner. By the way, the option can be used to scan any cards, electronic keys, passes.

Please note that this operation is safe - the device does not use card details, only a unique encrypted digital key is transmitted.

The second possibility is data transfer, an alternative to the usual Bluetooth. Here, high connection speed and low data transfer speed play a huge role - that’s why NFS is used to transfer small files. Most often used:

• Coordinates on the map;
• Contacts;
• Links;
• Notes.

The technology is used only to connect phones; the documents themselves are transmitted wirelessly or using Bluetooth.

How to transfer data using NFC to another device

To communicate between two devices, it is better to place the smartphones with their back panels facing each other. Let's figure out how to use NFC to transfer data:

• Open settings on your smartphone;
• Find the NFS option in the “Connections” section (the section name may be different, try finding the option in the search bar);
• Open the block and find the “NFC and payment” icon;
• Move the toggle switch opposite the line to the “On” position;
• Place the phones next to each other and wait until the connection message appears;
• Select the desired file or link and wait for the confirmation signal.

The third option, which can be used at any time, is scanning and programming tags. Why are these tags needed?

• For more information about a product or service. Scanning a tag allows you to obtain data that at first glance seems hidden;
• To automate user actions - turning on applications, sending messages, changing the sound profile. For example, you can program a tag for launching a program when moving the device into a car - the application will load automatically, without additional actions.

The option works in a similar way to reading a quar code. You can program tags using special applications for your phone - they can be found in the Google Play Market for free or for an additional fee. Choose a program from the list below or find your own option:

• NFC Tools;
• WiFiTap WiFi NFC;
• SmartTag Maker;
• ABA NFC.

We discussed in detail what NFC means in a phone, why this chip is needed and how to use it. Time to move on to the next part of the review! Let's look for the chip in your device and make sure it works.

Watch the video for a detailed description of the module:

How to check if an option is available

Previously, the NFC chip was built only into expensive flagship phones - but now the situation has changed. The function is supported by most devices, even the cheapest and simplest.

How can you find out if your phone supports NFC? You can check availability as follows:

• Open your phone settings;
• Go to the section with connections or wireless networks;
• Sometimes the option is hidden in the “Additional Features” block;
• You will see a line with the appropriate name, next to it is a toggle switch for activation or deactivation.

You can also verify that the feature is supported in the following ways:

• The NFC icon can be found in the Quick Launch bar at the top of the screen;
• Sometimes a blue icon is located on the back of the device;
• You can find the corresponding marking on the gadget’s battery;
• Just enter the name of your phone model into the search bar of any browser and read the instructions with a detailed description.

What to do if there is no NFC on your phone? You can transfer data via Bluetooth - this is a familiar and fairly fast method. And you can pay in the store with a plastic card with Pay Pass technology.

Possible problems

If you find a chip in your device, it’s worth discussing the possible difficulties that anyone faces.

• Sometimes a thick phone case gets in the way - remove it, especially if it is made of metal materials;
• Make sure that you have activated the option in the settings - we have provided detailed instructions above;
• Do not forget to charge the battery - the energy saving mode negatively affects the performance of certain programs;
• It would be a good idea to reboot the gadget if minor difficulties arise.

If an error occurs when making a payment, we recommend that you pay attention to the following parameters:

• Make sure that there is enough money on the card balance;
• Try restarting your smartphone;
• Check if the payment system application is installed;
• Place the device a little closer to the trading terminal, or vice versa, move it a little further;
• Make sure you haven't turned on airplane mode;
• It is advisable to unlock the gadget before use.

We should also say a few words about Xiaomi phones whose firmware blocks the operation of the chip - such difficulties can only be resolved in a service center. The specialist will carry out the necessary actions to expand user rights and update the firmware - you will be able to use the technology.

We explained in detail what this NFC function is on the phone and how to use it for maximum user convenience. Save our review to bookmarks so as not to lose useful tips - you will always have the operating instructions for the electronic chip at hand. Use your phone to the maximum, make life comfortable and simple!

The combination “NFC” (Near field communication) is increasingly found in the specifications of modern smartphones and tablets. In this article we will try to consider this interface from the point of view of practical use, so that readers can independently draw their own conclusion about the need to have it on their phone.

In testing, we used two smartphone models that have already been reviewed in detail on our resource: Acer CloudMobile S500 and Sony Xperia acro S. We would also like to point out that most of the information, including the programs and use cases described, will only apply to Android smartphones. It is this operating system that is today the most “friendly” when it comes to working with NFC.

Introduction

At first glance, it may seem that numerous wireless interfaces today already cover all possible popular tasks and scenarios, so another option is simply not needed. However, if you look at the development of modern technologies, you will notice that more and more attention is being paid to energy consumption issues, especially when it comes to mobile devices. In particular, version 4.0 of the well-known family of Bluetooth protocols is precisely aimed at reducing battery costs. The second point worth mentioning is that not every task requires a long range. It happens even the other way around - you want to explicitly limit the distance between interacting devices. In addition to the obvious reduction in consumption, this also affects safety. And a similar remark can be made about the volume of transmitted data. So the idea of ​​a slow wireless interface that operates over short distances and is characterized by low power consumption has a right to exist.

The starting point in the history of NFC development can be taken in 2004, when Nokia, Philips and Sony announced the creation of a touch-based interface for the interaction of various devices with the aim of developing and standardizing the interface between various devices. However, the first versions of the specifications were created a little earlier. Perhaps, by modern standards, the technology can be considered very young (if you do not take into account the history of RFID), but it is already quite often found in real products and services. In particular, at the Mobile World Congress 2013 held at the end of February, many stands and demonstrations were devoted to this topic.

This sign can be found on devices with NFC technology

The formal characteristics of the interface are as follows: operation at a distance of several centimeters, maximum information exchange rate of about 400 Kbps, full-duplex data exchange is supported, operating frequency is 13.56 MHz, connection establishment time does not exceed 0.1 s, operating mode is point-to-point. It can be seen that these parameters radically distinguish NFC from other popular wireless interfaces.

If we talk about devices, then in addition to active controllers in NFC, there are also passive options (they are usually called tags), which receive power wirelessly from the active controller. One example is modern cards for travel on public transport. Tags are simply data storage, usually less than 4 KB in size. Most often, they only provide read mode, but there are also options with write support.

One of the simplest options for a passive NFC tag

The compact size of the controller and its low consumption allows NFC to be implemented even in such small designs as SIM cards or microSD memory cards. However, for full operation it is necessary to use a special antenna. In phones it is usually located on the back of the battery compartment cover or built into the back panel if the device does not have a removable battery.

The NFC antenna is often placed on the back cover of the smartphone

The short range can have a negative impact when using tablets - finding the right place to “position” may not be as easy as we would like. To solve this problem, some manufacturers mark the location of the antenna with a special sign. As for the range, in our case the connection worked at a distance of no more than four centimeters - both between phones and with a passive tag.

From a security point of view, the developers did not implement elements of protection against interception and relay attacks. This of course makes it difficult to implement secure solutions, since it requires the applications themselves to be protected at a higher level. Note that in fact, such a well-known protocol as TCP/IP behaves similarly. So from a practical point of view, losing a phone without additional protection with customized payment system programs seems more dangerous than intercepting communications.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about NFC today is that the interface itself does not provide any real practical use cases or solutions. Unlike, for example, Bluetooth, whose profiles clearly describe how to transfer a file, how to connect a headset or provide network access, NFC is only a base, and direct operating scenarios are provided by additional software that works through it. On the one hand, this opens up great opportunities for developers, but on the other hand, it is a problem for them when ensuring the interaction of different applications and devices.

Interestingly, any programs installed on a smartphone or tablet can register in the operating system as NFC-related event handlers, and then when called externally, you will see a standard menu “What do you want to do with this action?” Since some NFC use cases involve convenient automation of actions, it is advisable not to overload the device with such utilities.

The NFC Forum tries to help with this uncertainty by proposing standardization of protocols for certain scenarios (notably NDEF for storing short messages on tags and SNEP (Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol) for exchanging information between devices), but practically determining the compatibility of specific devices is usually hampered by a lack of detailed information from the manufacturer and diagnostic tools. Another assistant here is Google, which has offered its own development of Android Beam in the latest versions of Android. It allows you to exchange certain types of information between compatible devices.

Android Beam

First, you need to make sure that both devices have NFC enabled, Android Beam active, and their screens are unlocked. On the models we tested, NFC only works if the screen is on and the device is fully unlocked. But perhaps other devices will use a different algorithm. In any case, the active interface requires very little battery power to operate, and so far the described approach seems quite reasonable. One option to simplify your work is to disable the lock screen. In this case, to identify the tag, it will be enough to simply turn on the smartphone. Another inconvenience is the need to confirm the operation by touching the screen after the devices find each other. This is not always easy to do without disrupting communication, especially when both devices are in the hands of two different people.

The next step is to select one of the applications on the device from which you plan to transfer. In particular, these may be:

• Google Chrome - transfer the current open link;
• YouTube client - transfer of a video clip (as a link);
• Google Maps - transfer of a place or route;
• Contacts—transfer a contact card;
• Google Play - application transfer;
• Gallery - transfer of photos.

Next, bring the devices closer to each other. When a partner is detected, you will hear a tone on the sending device and the desktop image will shrink. At this moment, you need to touch the screen image and hold your finger until you hear the second signal - about a successful transfer.

We tried the options listed, and almost all of them really work. Even the fact that our devices were produced by different manufacturers did not prevent them from finding a common language. But a few comments are still worth making. There are no problems with routes in Google Maps, but the option with a place is not very interesting, since only the current map display is transmitted. The dot marked on the screen of the original phone does not reach the recipient. The situation can be corrected by using the Addresses application, which transmits data correctly. When sending contacts, the photo is lost, since from a technical point of view the transfer format corresponds to vcf text files. If we talk about applications, then you can send not only those installed on the phone, but also simply open cards on Google Play. Books and other content from the store are similarly supported. Naturally, we are talking about transferring links, and not the downloaded or, especially, purchased elements themselves. There was a problem with sending photos: the Sony device was unable to work with this type of data. The official wording is “The recipient's device does not support large data transfers via Android Beam.” Here is the first sign that the interface is young or that the technical specifications of the devices are insufficiently detailed. Formally, we have both NFC and Android Beam in two devices, but in practice their real capabilities differ significantly, and this can only be found out by checking. What can we say about less famous manufacturers - their version of implementing this technology can be completely unpredictable.

By the way, regarding the work of Android Beam itself. The description of the technology indicates that data transmission uses Bluetooth communication after initial coordination of settings via NFC. Considering that all working formats required a really small amount of transferred data, NFC speed was quite enough for them, but for photographs it would have been clearly not enough. So we can assume that Sony has not implemented the switch to a faster interface. It is not possible to understand whether this problem is software (remember that this device has Android 4.0.4 installed) or hardware.

We also tried to send our own music and videos in the same way from their respective apps, but nothing appeared on the receiver.

Reading and writing tags

The described Android Beam uses the ability to transmit and process short information messages. However, in reality, they can not only be transmitted from the phone, but also read from passive tags. In some ways, this technology is similar to the well-known QR codes that are read by a phone camera. At the same time, useful information (for example, a link to a website page) takes up literally several tens of bytes. Tags can be used by companies, for example, to promote their products or services. Considering the compact size of the passive tag (more precisely, its thickness is comparable to a sheet of paper - because of the antenna, the area will still be significant, no less than a five-ruble coin), it can be placed almost anywhere: on a box with a product, in a magazine, on an information sheet. counter and other places.

Passive NFC tags can be manufactured as key fobs

If we talk about making tags with our own hands, then this is a completely feasible scenario. To do this, you need to purchase clean blanks and use a special program for your phone to write down the required information on them. For example, we bought several different options: a sticker of minimal thickness, a protected plastic circle and key chains. All of them had a very small amount of memory - only 144 bytes (there are also 4 KB options on the market). The number of rewrite cycles was not specified, but for most application scenarios this parameter is not critical. To work with tags, we can recommend NXP Semiconductors programs - TagInfo and TagWriter.

The first will allow you to read data from the tag and decrypt information according to the NDEF standard, and the second will help you create your own tags. Several NDEF sub-options are supported: contact, link, text, SMS, mail message, phone number, Bluetooth connection, geographic location, local file link, application launch, URI. Please note that when creating a record, you need to take into account the amount of data stored. For example, a contact photo can take up several kilobytes, messages or text can also easily exceed 144 bytes. By the way, the NFC TagInfo program from NFC Research Lab with a special plugin can read and show you a color photo from a biometric passport. With a data volume of one and a half dozen kilobytes, reading them via NFC takes about 20 seconds. An additional level of protection in this case is provided by the need to specify some passport details to read data from the chip.

Note that automatic processing of read tags depends on the content. In particular, sometimes additional confirmation is required to carry out the action itself. For example, in the case of SMS, a completed message form opens, but the user must actually confirm the sending. But the recorded web link can immediately open in the browser. Any automation is associated with a loss of control, so the described capabilities should be used carefully, since by simply replacing or reprogramming tags, attackers can redirect you to a fake site instead of the original one. We did not find any standard OS settings to limit such autorun (unless you disable NFC itself).

Another important point when using tags in public places is protection against overwriting. When recording a tag, you can set a protection flag that will block all attempts to change the information, but it will no longer be possible to remove it. So the label will be used in read-only mode in the future. For home use, in most cases this is not very critical.

Let's mention a few more programs for recording tags:

Using ready-made tags to control the device

One of the active participants in the NFC implementation process is Sony. Its devices come pre-installed with the Smart Connect program, which supports working with original Sony tags. If you wish, using the SmartTag Maker utility, you can create them yourself from blank blanks. The system uses the NDEF URI format with encoding of the label number/color in the text link. In total, the system provides up to eight tags, which are designated as “home”, “office”, “car”, “bedroom”, “listen”, “play”, “activities”, “watch”.

Variant of original Sony SmartTags

The Smart Connect program itself works not only with NFC tags, but also with other devices connected to the phone, including headsets, power supply, and Bluetooth devices. It’s quite convenient that the standard settings already correspond well to the above scenarios. In this case, the user can reprogram all circuits; each of them specifies a set of conditions and actions.

As a condition, you can use tag identification or device connection, and you can additionally limit the operating time of the circuit. The set of actions is quite wide, it includes launching an application, opening a link in the browser, starting music, adjusting volume and mode, connecting a Bluetooth audio device, sending SMS, making a call, managing wireless interfaces, adjusting brightness and other actions. Moreover, they can also be assigned to exit this mode, which is carried out by repeated recognition of the tag, by a new event/tag, or by the expiration of a specified time interval.

But in fact, it is not necessary to use Sony branded tags - you can also find use for ready-made tags that do not allow information to be overwritten. For example, these could be used transport cards. The fact is that each of them has its own unique identifier, which can be tied to certain actions using special programs. Possible reactions may include operations such as changing the profile, enabling/disabling interfaces, and many others.

There are several utilities for this scenario in the Play Store, let's mention a couple of them:

Let us remind you that you should not install several similar programs at once. This mode will not add any convenience, since when a tag is detected on the phone screen, a dialog box will appear asking you to select a program to process it.

While searching for programs for working with tags, we also came across another class of utilities that may be of interest if there are recordable tags. These programs use their own original recording format, which only they can work with. In this case, the set of possible actions is almost no different from those described above:

Let us remind you that at the moment the tag can be read only when the device is unlocked. So the scenario “came home, put the phone on the nightstand - automatically switched the profile, turned off the call and Bluetooth, set the alarm” will require some actions from the user. This behavior still slightly limits the capabilities of programs.

Exchange information between devices

With the exception of Android Beam, the scenarios described above assume the operation of a single phone with a tag or a specialized terminal. If we talk about the direct connection of devices with each other, then the main issue here is compatibility. Of course, in the case of products from one manufacturer, especially a large one, that manufacturer has the opportunity to simply install the appropriate program in the firmware. But if the devices are produced by different manufacturers, everyone will have to use the same utilities. And it’s not at all a fact that your partner will have the same program installed as yours.

Considering that NFC's own speed is very low, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is usually used to quickly transfer files, and NFC only works at the stage of negotiating connection parameters and establishing communication. To test this scenario, we tried several file transfer programs that claim to support NFC on our devices.

Send! File Transfer (NFC) in the free version allows you to exchange photo, music and video files. You can use NFC or QR codes to establish communication. The transfer is carried out via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (if both devices have support for Wi-Fi Direct, which the Sony phone we used did not have). As a result, we were able to see a speed of 65 KB/s, which, of course, is too low even for photographs.

Blue NFC, as the name suggests, also simplifies file sharing over Bluetooth by replacing the power-on, search, and pairing steps with touch and NFC sharing. The speed of operation is not very high - at the level of the program mentioned above.

File Expert HD also uses Bluetooth, but the speed is already 100-200 KB/s. True, in fairness it is worth noting that this program has many other file sharing modes.

Conclusion

As of the spring of 2013, we can say that NFC technology already confidently occupies a place in modern high-end and mid-level smartphones. Interest in it can be indirectly assessed by the number of programs in the Play Store: there are already several hundred free projects alone. Considering the market dominance (especially in the number of models) of the Android platform, it is the most popular platform for NFC devices today. iOS does not provide standard tools for NFC, and Windows Phone 8 has significantly limited capabilities for working with NFC for third-party applications.

NFC technology itself has several features that allow it to occupy a unique position:

• contactless data transfer;
• work only over short distances;
• the ability to exchange information with other devices or passive tags;
• low cost solution;
• low power consumption;
• low data transfer speed.

Currently, for smartphones and tablets, there are three most relevant options for using NFC: exchanging data between devices (contacts, applications, links, photos and other files), reading tags with special information and changing device modes/settings/profiles, quick pairing with peripheral devices (such as headsets). In the first case, you can try working with the standard Android Beam program or install alternative options. They can be useful if you need high transfer speeds (via Wi-Fi), but require the same program on each device.

Passive tags can be used almost anywhere, from posters to magazines to product tags. They can record product information, a website link, Wi-Fi settings, contact information, geographic coordinates, or other small amount of data. The spread of this method of information exchange directly depends on the number of compatible devices users have. This scenario can be compared with common QR codes, which today are, perhaps, still simpler in terms of implementation and more popular.

To change system settings, you can use even non-recordable tags with some programs, so many users will be able to try this scenario. However, it should be noted that in this case the set of options will be recorded in a specific device, and transferring it to another device may be difficult. Most utilities for this purpose still require their own recorded tags, which allows them to store all the required information in encoded form directly in the tag (or cloud), so that to use these settings on another device, it will be enough to have the same program on it.

We did not consider in this article such NFC use cases as payment systems, electronic wallets and micropayments, tickets and coupons, transport cards and passes. These topics, especially the first, deserve separate consideration. We will try to return to them if there is reader interest and the spread of such solutions.