article:NFC

What are NFC tags ?

NFC (near field communication) is a wireless technology which allows for the transfer of data such as text or numbers between two NFC enabled devices. NFC tags, for example stickers or wristbands, contain small microchips with little aerials which can store a small amount of information for transfer to another NFC device, such as a mobile phone.

What information can you store ?

There's a whole set of different data types you can store on an NFC tag. The actual amount of data varies depending on the type of NFC tag used - different tags have different memory capacities. For example, you may choose to store a URL (web address) or a telephone number. A standard Ultralight nfc tag can store a URL of around 41 characters, whereas the newer NTAG203 nfc tag can store a URL of around 132 characters.
Usually, this information is stored in a specific data format (NDEF - NFC data exchange format) so that it can be reliably read by most devices and mobile phones.

Could someone change my NFC tag ?

NFC tags can be locked so that once data has been written, it cannot be altered. For most tags this is a one way process so once the tag is locked it cannot be unlocked.
Encoding and locking are two separate actions. NFC tags can be re-encoded numerous times until they are locked.

How can I encode NFC tags ?

The easiest way at the moment is to use an NFC enabled mobile phone such as the Nexus S running Android or a newer BlackBerry or Nokia. Just download a suitable App and you can be encoding your tags in minutes.

Which phones support NFC ?

At the moment, not very many. But that's changing and it's changing quickly. If you want to be ahead of the game then get yourself sorted with NFC now !
There's a well maintained list of NFC enabled phones at Near Field Communications World.

What else can I do with NFC tags ?

Like the number of NFC enabled phones, the number of NFC Apps is growing quickly. For example, you can already download Apps which will allow you to encode tags to turn your phone's wifi or bluetooth on or off - or open your favourite weather page. Encode a tag for your office desk and just tap it to change all your phone settings.

What's all this about mobile payments ?

A lot of the press you see about NFC tags will be about mobile payments. It's the same technology but whereas we are talking here about using NFC to transfer a web address or simple data, NFC payments are a lot more complicated and involve a mobile wallet on your phone and all sorts of other things. While the momentum behind NFC is likely to be driven by mobile payments, the technology is capable of much more.

Will NFC tags replace QR Codes ?

That's a big question and Kimtag think that the answer is probably not.
We generally feel that QR Codes and NFC tags sit alongside each other and both have their advantages and disadvantages. We think that the user experience with NFC tags is generally better and in the instances where the additional cost of using an NFC tag is less relevant to the overall cost (for example on a wristband, brochures or posters), it would be our preference.

However, QR Codes don't require the user to be so physically close, are free to print and are able to be read by most current smartphones (albeit with a suitable app).

What batteries do they take ?

That's the clever thing about NFC tags. They don't require batteries. They get their power from just being near a powered NFC device, for example a mobile phone.

How close do you have to be to the tag ?

The answer of course depends on your phone and the tag itself, but generally you need to be within a couple of centimetres (an inch).

How do Kimtag use NFC Tags ?

The NFC tags you can purchase from Kimtag are pre-encoded with your Kimtag web address and are locked to prevent others from messing with them. They are ready to use with your Kimtag immediately. Anyone tapping or scanning your NFC tag will be taken through to your Kimtag connection page.

So how do I get my NFC tags ?

If you want to use NFC but don't want to use the Kimtag connection system, we now sell blank and custom encoded NFC tags, stickers and products via RapidNFC.
Otherwise, just set up your Kimtag connections page like you would normally. You can either list all your connections or set it up instant redirect to link directly to your social network, webpage or file. Then visit the Kimtag Store and order some NFC tags, wristbands or other NFC items. If you aren't sure, then get started with a couple of the standard white sticker NFC tags and you'll see what it's all about.