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Wireless Alliance Touts 'Magic Touch' RFID Tech
An anonymous reader writes "Nokia, Sony and Philips have launched a new wireless technology, called Near Field Communication, that could be a threat to Bluetooth. Based on RFID, they say it will enable electronic devices to interact -- for m-commerce, file-swapping or to download info from the Web -- when touched together."
Of course, unless they're very careful, it will also enable devices to communicate when they're within a couple of feet. Still, as long as the software folk treat it as "always chatting" communication, and build in the proper safeguards, rather than assuming that every conversation is spawned by a dedicated request to speak, things should be fine. This will be fun to watch.
You're special forces then? That's great! I just love your olympics!
Can I implant one of these in my gf, so when I touch her, it will tell me how many guys she has been with lately?
So now your electronics can get more than you do. How depressing is that?
True story.
...and all you have to do is touch a "male" and a matching "female" "connector" together.
666-607: 6th floor apartment of the beast
the article doesn't make clear what (if any) advantage this system posesses over bluetooth?
Is this product announcement just capitalising on negative bluetooth security publicity and the RFID buzzword, or is there more to it than that?
As bluetooth is already in millions of devices, it seems churlish to ignore this.
SURELY NOT!!!!!
The article claims that this is not competition for Bluetooth, IR, or Wi-Fi. Unlike what the summary claims.
Bluetooth has a usable range up to 300ft (there are also specs for 30ft and 3ft); it is commonly used for laptops and handhelds to connect to modems, printers, GPS receivers, and access points from across the room. Something that has a range of only a foot or so won't compete there.
I don't see much use for these new short-range wireless technologies--they aren't short-range enough to use their range limitations for security, and they aren't long-range enough to move into Bluetooth territory. Furthermore, there are short-range versions of Bluetooth.
For secure communications, IrDA would still be a better choice. For anything else, you might as well use Bluetooth.
But, hey, with enough marketing and sales muscle, these companies will probably manage to force another proprietary standard upon us, whether it is a good idea or not.
I can just imagine it now RIAA chaperones on every street corner making sure there's no touching and p2p file exchange ...
called Near Field Communication, that could be a threat to Bluetooth.
But in the article it states clearly:
While NFC will handle identification of users through RFID, it appears that wireless protocols such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi will still be used for the data transfer.
"NFC won't replace Bluetooth or infrared. This is a new paradigm based on touching, and it will complement these existing wireless technologies," a NFC spokesman explained.
-Ted
-=-=- Quantum physics - the dreams stuff are made of.
I wasn't trying to sexually harass her, I was just scanning her ports!!
sooo many meanings for that, well two or three at least...
They also claim the technology will revolutionise the way people interact with their environment.
...or they could just wave their NFC phone at a smart film poster to automatically buy a ticket.
Blabitty bla bla. Show me the flying cars and renewable energy sources. Until then, I'll interact with my environment how and when I want to.
Great! Shorter lines at the movie theatre. You all go waive your phones at inanimate objects. I'll go talk to a real person. What about checking for the age of the ticket purchaser? oh yeah, your soon to be mandatory government ID will have that info in an RFID tag as well.
Alternatively, it could help a user to use their mobile phone as an e-wallet.
wonderfull! now a theif can just waive my wallet in front of a smart billboard and buy anything he wants? need two forms of RFID for that purchase? lucky him, he just stole my cellphone too.
yeah yeah, you say i have a nice origami tinfoil hat on. But what exactly are these "innovations" doing for society? It's cool that this stuff can technically be done. It doesn't mean it should permeate our entire daily lives.
From the story submission: "called Near Field Communication, that could be a threat to Bluetooth."
From the article: "NFC won't replace Bluetooth or infrared."
way to go editors! way to go A.C. who submitted the story! jeebus, if people could be honest, truthfull and accountable this world would be such a better place.