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  • Near Field Communication: Coming to a cellphone/tablet near you

    By Eric Stoller December 16, 2010 2:30 pm EST

    While perusing my Twitter stream, I noticed this tweet from Seth Hagler: "Nexus S and Android 2.3 to include Near Field Communication. Huge potential for #HigherEd." Ever watchful for new technologies, I clicked on the link in Seth's tweet. Near field communication or NFC is a fairly innovative technology. NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology. Information is exchanged/retrieved when an NFC-enabled device is placed next to another NFC-enabled object. Proximity is important as NFC only works from about 4 inches of separation.

    Google, the creators of the Android-based Nexus smartphone, have recently rolled out a Google Places / Hotpot campaign that features NFC technology here in my current state of residence. Debuting in Portland, Oregon, selected businesses will receive NFC-enabled “Recommended on Google” window stickers.

    NFC-ready devices aren't that prevalent yet. My Droid X, the top of the line smartphone from Verizon Wireless doesn't have NFC and I'm guessing that your phone doesn't have NFC either. However, as a new technology, NFC does have potential. Seth sent me a couple of DM's via Twitter with ideas for how NFC could be used in student affairs (Note: there are similarities with QR code strategies). Here are Seth's ideas plus a couple of my own:

    • Admissions - campus tours: Seth suggested giving out tablets to prospective students. NFC tagged posters could be at the main entrance of most campus buildings. NFC data would include: videos, building/academic information, and links to a map. I really liked Seth's idea that each tablet would be running the new social media browser "RockMelt." Visitors could post tour-related status updates, tweet at their friends about their experience, and check-in via location-based services. It's a nifty idea as it meshes social media, location-based services, and the built environment in a giant tech-driven mash-up.
    • Admissions - print collateral: NFC chips embedded in direct mail pieces create opportunities to connect prospect students to custom web-based content.
    • Residence Halls and Campus Auxiliaries: When your cellphone becomes your digital wallet and/or access card, things get interesting. Imagine using your phone to enter your residence hall or make purchases in a restaurant at your campus union.
    • Disability Services: Campus signage could be enhanced using NFC-ready signs. A student who is blind could use an NFC-enabled device to listen to an audio recording. It would complement braille on signs and create moments for enhanced information exchange.

    What do you think? How would you use NFC at your institution?

    I wonder if the RockMelt folks are exploring the use of NFC in conjunction with their browser?

    Do you tweet? Let's connect. Follow me on Twitter.

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Comments on Near Field Communication: Coming to a cellphone/tablet near you

  • Endless Possibilites
  • Posted by Gary H , Residence Director at NC State University on December 16, 2010 at 5:30pm EST
  • I am glad I was not the only one thinking about the Student Affairs possibilities when I first heard that phones would have NFC in them. While RFIDs have been used as several universities, I've found people are hesitant to use them. NC State has a RFID system in place for several buildings. Other schools have it built into the student's ID cards. One company has a great system that I've wanted to use but never saw in action, I only knew about it from product demos and materials. They even had a watch with built in RFID chip that you could just walk into a room and the doors you had access to would unlock. It is pretty neat.

    However, I really love the idea of being able to use this type of technology in the future in our halls. Imagine if you could find out who is around by using sensors in a residence hall and letting them know a program is on?

    Only problem I have run into is people are afraid to move away from what they know (pen and paper and keys). I am a huge supporter of going electronic because it can only make us more efficient but many people, including several from my own generation (millennial) are extremely hesitant to do so.

    I think it would be great. As always, GREAT post.



    Also, love the Rockmelt browser plug, I really want to try it now. Thought about it but didn't try, now I'm pretty excited.
  • difference?
  • Posted by Nancy Adams , Associate Director at George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library on December 17, 2010 at 8:15am EST
  • I'm wondering what the difference is between this particular wireless technology and other technologies such as RFID. For example, RFID is used for inventory control in library books now, instead of barcodes. It also reminds me of the proximity ID cards that many institutions have for their students.

    I guess the benefit when compared to QR codes is that if your phone was already NFC-enabled, you wouldn't have to download anything, figure out how to use it, etc. like you do with scanning QR codes. Get the two chips close enough, and that's all you would
    need to do.

    On the other hand, what are the privacy implications? Ability to track/monitor individuals without their knowledge is one of the chief complaints against this type of technology.

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