7 Ways Near Field Communicate Could Change Our Lives

I ran across a great article on Mashable.com the other day about the 6 ways that Near Field Communications (NFC) can change our lives. What is NFC? It's a short-range wireless communication technology that almost all major electronics and software companies will be using in the future if all goes to plan.

NFC allows a device like your cell phone to automatically collect data from another device at close range. Although the original article only stated 6 uses for NFC, I've added a 7th. I was first turned onto this technology well over a year ago when I interviewed KenRadio's Ken Rutkowski for my Music 3.0 Internet Music Guidebook, and Ken contributed the last application regarding music. So here's a brief outline of the 7 ways that NFC might change our daily lives in the near future. For more details, read the full article on Mashable.

1) Contactless Payment - Imagine just paying for something without the usual hand your credit card to the vendor, swipe it, sign the receipt, etc. NFC allows secure transactions using what amounts to a digital wallet. No need for a third party to be involved.

2) Transportation - Use your cell phone to automatically pay for your airline, bus or train tickets. In fact, your phone will be your ticket.

3) Health Care - Talk about electronic medical records, you can have your complete history on you and have it easily transmitted to any health care professional in a flash. No more confusion about medications or which leg to operate on.

4) Ease Of Use - Forget the idea of Bluetooth "pairing," just touch the devices together and they'll be automatically connected.

5) Smart Objects - Objects with embedded NFC tags will be able to transmit informational data to your phone as you pass. Image being in a supermarket and being alerted to a sale on an item as you walk down the isle.

6) Social Media - Imagine a Foursquare where you couldn't cheat. You walk into a restaurant and the NFC tag will send a message to a Foursquare-like social media app that will alert all your friends to your presence, collect points, etc.

7) Exchange playlists - Want to know what music your friends are listening too and what's in their libraries? Image being at a party where all your NFC friends automatically exchange their playlists with you.

These are just some of the applications of NFC. Let's see if it has more of an impact than Bluetooth.

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