Who needs NFC?

Clearly someone thinks they are a good idea.

Embedded in the card is a tiny microchip. When it’s touched to a smartphone, the chip asks the phone to do something. Something you’ve told it to. Perhaps download your portfolio, play music or video, load web pages, maps or apps, save your contact details - the possibilities are endless. Think of it like an enormous, dynamic and exciting third side.

So basically, it's a Moo business card, with an embedded NFC chip (which you can program and reprogram). Moo, for those who don't know, make lovely business cards, and you can design your own front or back, or use their templates and designs. I've used Moo for years, as they do fairly cheap short runs, so I can cycle the images often.

I think this is a cool idea, but I'm still not sure about NFC - it's still appears to be a solution waiting for a problem. Apple appear to think that barcodes are a better idea, and I'm not sure I disagree with them.

They are certainly more use to normal people than QR codes, but still: is it likely to ever actually take off? I hope they do - I'd love to use my phone to get on the tube or pay for things.

Nic Wise

Nic Wise

Auckland, NZ