Near Field Communication (NFC) is undoubtedly the most talked piece of technology this year. It all started with Google integrating the NFC chip in its Nexus S device which then followed by many other devices, including few Blackberries.
Nokia too joined in the NFC bandwagon and have integrated NFC capabilities on their upcoming devices like Nokia N9, 600, 700 and 701. However, Nokia’s take on NFC is slightly different. Nokia reckons NFC can do more than mobile payments which most mobile manufacturers are supporting.
True to their word, Nokia last week invited us to experience NFC technology integrated in their smartphone. We were handed over a Nokia 701 and as the Finnish giant claims, it really needed just a ‘tap’ to use the NFC functionality.
For the uninitiated, Nokia’s implementation of NFC allows users to share multimedia content, contacts, pair accessories, use NFC tags in addition to mobile payments.
The two NFC features I personally believe could enhance NFC’s usage is the image transfer and pairing with accessories. Users can quickly share a photo with another Nokia NFC-enabled device by just tapping the recipient phone. The phone detects the tap and initiates the transfer automatically. We managed to successfully replicate it with the 701, however, were unsuccessful while trying to send multiple images. Nevertheless, a handy feature.
Next one is pairing with accessories. Nokia has already got bunch of accessories that can be paired up instantly with Nokia NFC phones. A tap on the accessory and you’re listening to the music right away.
All said and done, NFC in a phone is worthless if not marketed right, which is why Nokia confirmed to release a slew of marketing campaigns emphasizing the different NFC implementations. Nokia will also bundle an NFC tag with every NFC-enabled phone, which when tapped, will open a specific URL on the phone to download exclusive apps.
Nokia will announce the release of NFC-enabled 600, 700 and 701 phones in India today.
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