NFC Forum Discusses Versatile Touch Technology for Enhanced Bi-Directional Data Transfer

The Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum is currently delving into a cutting-edge technology named "Versatile Touch," aimed at enriching the contactless experience for users. This technology allows multiple operations to be executed with a single touch, eliminating the need for repeated interactions.

The use of NFC technology is on a rapid ascent, highlighted by its application in payment systems like Apple Pay, where a simple tap of the phone against a device facilitates data reading.

Traditionally, NFC has been used for single, one-way transfers of small data packets. Transferring larger data volumes could potentially extend the time required, thus hindering the seamless use of NFC actions.

The essence of Versatile Touch technology is its capability to increase data transmission volumes while also accelerating transfer speeds. This improvement aims to prevent the inconvenience of having to hold the phone against a reader for too long, which could lead to communication failures due to users' habit of quickly tapping and withdrawing their phones.

Examples provided by the NFC Forum include:

• A fee-based faucet integrated with NFC technology, allowing for automatic receipt transmission to the user's phone upon payment.
• In bars, executing automatic age verification to prevent underage patrons from being charged for alcoholic beverages during payment.
• For users employing payment solutions like Apple Pay, the simultaneous real-time transmission of loyalty rewards points within the same transaction.

The key to Versatile Touch lies in its dual-mode operation:

Certain NFC devices, such as smartphones, are capable of functioning in both reader/writer and card emulation modes simultaneously. This dual-mode capability means developers can craft custom applications that interact seamlessly with other NFC devices, regardless of their supported modes.

This mode fosters a wide array of use cases. The NFC Forum is exploring the specific needs of different market segments to add value to various scenarios.

In response to the advancements in Versatile Touch technology, tech giants such as Samsung and Apple have indicated potential integration into their devices in the future, aligning with the NFC Forum's initiative. The stance of other manufacturers on supporting this feature remains to be seen.