New specifications from the NFC Forum aim to introduce more standardization
The NFC Forum, a non-profit association that promotes standardization of NFC technology, has released its NFC Controller Interface specification. The report has been made available for use for free in the hopes of expanding awareness of NFC technology and promoting its proper usage. The NFC Forum notes that its latest publication accounts for a “major new specification, created from the ground up.” This new specification is meant to provide more standardization into the realm of NFC technology.
NFC still reliant on standards
NFC technology is still in its infancy, having emerged in 2004, thus thrives on standards that provide a framework for its usage. Standardization is important to ensure a uniform and pleasurable experience with consumers who will use the technology. Without standards, the experiences companies with an interest in NFC technology offer would vary wildly, leaving many consumers without a clear definition of what the technology is or how it should be used. Standardization aims to provide consumers with the best experience possible by encouraging companies to develop services that can be familiar to a wide range of people.
New specification further defines NFC interface
The new specification from the NFC Forum defines a standard interface between NFC devices and a controller, such as a payment terminal or an NFC-enabled appliance. The NFC Forum believes that the new specification is important because it will allow device makers to more easily integrate chipsets from a wide range of manufacturers. Essentially, NFC chip makers are expected to be compelled to make products that can be used on a wider range of platforms rather than on a limited number of mobile devices.
Specification may help companies adopt NFC-based services
The new specifications coming from the NFC Forum will likely have an impact of the mobile commerce industry. The specifications are expected to make mobile payments somewhat more inclusive for a wider range of consumers, but it will also help companies incorporate NFC-based services more easily. These companies will be able to provide consumers with services using a familiar interface, rather than risk introducing a new interface that may not be well received by consumers.
Demand for interactivity spurs more support for NFC technology
Consumers are becoming more reliant on their mobile devices, using their smart phones and tablets to stay connected to each other and make daily life more convenient. The love that consumers have for mobile technology has created a promising opportunity for advertisers that are looking for ways to engage these consumers. In the past, these advertisers had turned to QR codes to engage mobile consumers. As technology has advanced, the wants of consumers have evolved, thus creating a high demand for interactive experiences. NFC technology may be the key to engaging these consumers on a level they are becoming more familiar with.
NFC begins to move beyond mobile commerce
NFC technology is most often used in the field of mobile commerce. In this field, the technology can be used to transform a mobile device into a payment platform. The success of NFC technology in mobile commerce has won it the attention of the advertising industry, which is on the lookout for new interactive technologies that could be used to catch the attention of consumers. NFC has been used sparingly in the past for marketing, but now the technology is gaining a swell of support from advertisers looking to move away from QR codes and provide consumers with a more engaging experience.
NFC tags able to grab the attention of mobile consumers
NFC tags are one of the more popular marketing tools that are being used in the marketing business. These tags, which are similar to stickers, can be affixed to nearly any surface and programmed to contain a wide range of digital content. When these tags are activated by an NFC-enabled mobile devices, such as a smart phone or tablet, consumers can experience the content embedded within the tags. This content can be anything from simple text to interactive video.
NFC technology could provide marketers with valuable consumer information
Beyond digital content, NFC technology can provide valuable information to marketers concerning the consumers that use NFC tags. These tags can gather information from a user’s mobile device, such as how long they were engaged by the content they activated and other analytic data. In this way, NFC technology could be a major boon for marketers looking to fine tune their campaigns to reach a specific demographic.
