NFC's future includes improved range and more power for wireless charging

[midian182]

Something to look forward to: The term contactless payment is set to become more accurate over the next few years thanks to improvements in the capabilities of near-field communication (NFC) that should make tap-to-pay a misnomer. Not only will devices will have much greater NFC range, but they will also feature more powerful charging capabilities.

The NFC Forum, a collaborative body comprising members such as Apple, Sony, Google, NXP, and Qualcomm, is devoted to enhancing and standardizing NFC technology. As reported by Android Authority, the Forum has unveiled a new strategic roadmap, outlining five primary areas of innovation for NFC projected for the next two to five years.

One of the biggest improvements looks set to be an increase in the range of NFC connections, which today are limited to 5mm. The Forum is examining ranges that are four to six times that distance. This would allow contactless payments to become truly contactless – no more physical tapping – making them faster and easier. Users wouldn't have to be so accurate when lining up a device for a contactless transaction, too.

The other major change involves an increase in power for NFC wireless charging. Current specifications offer up to 1 watt of power. The plans would increase this to 3 watts, which is still less than the Qi standard's maximum 15W. The Forum says this will bringing wireless power and charging to new and smaller form factors.

Another change is multiple purpose tap, a feature that will allow several actions with a single tap. Given examples include point-to-point receipt delivery, loyalty identification, and total-journey ticketing.

The group also aims to give smartphones point-of-sale functionality so businesses and individuals can receive payments anywhere. It also wants to enable NFC to share data on its composition and the way a product can be recycled.

These changes won't be here anytime soon, though. The two-to-five-year timeframe includes all five improvements, so some could arrive a lot sooner than others. Increased range and wireless-charging power will be the ones the public should appreciate most, so let's hope they get development priority.

NFC Forum members will be presenting a 60-minute live technology roadmap session next week, (June 27).

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https://www.techspot.com/news/99177-nfc-future-includes-improved-ranged-more-power-wireless.html

 

[godrilla]

Are NFC blocking wallets/cards going be mandatory going forward?

 

[SirDigby]

While reports of NFC skimming are low and blown a little out of proportion, the increase in range makes this a bigger threat - but it doesn't mean increasing the range is a bad idea. I'm not sure how one would increase NFC security for credit cards, but for mobiles you normally need to unlock the device before you can process the payment.
The idea of point-to-point receipts sounds pretty good, I like getting receipts but hate having loads of little bits of paper clogging up my wallet or pocket - and I imagine in the USA where you have to file tax returns and generally need more receipts that'd be a good thing too.

 

[p51d007]

I'd prefer to keep the range where it is not, 5-10 mm MAX.
Just have to keep NFC disabled until used, just in case card skimming via NFC
becomes more of a thing.

 

[Rocky4040]

I currently use my phone to pay for everything and I find it very easy. I never have had any problems with lining things up when paying it all just works as it should.

I personally think making it able to do farther distance might be asking for trouble if you have someone nearby that is setup to steal funds from people's phones when they are making a payment.

 

[godrilla]

I currently use my phone to pay for everything and I find it very easy. I never have had any problems with lining things up when paying it all just works as it should.

I personally think making it able to do farther distance might be asking for trouble if you have someone nearby that is setup to steal funds from people's phones when they are making a payment.

From what I am reading is that you can use your Phone's NFC to accept mobile payments from other rfid nfc credit cards and mobile devices with nfc. I believe the mobile nfc is probably more secure than the credit card one in your wallet. The mobile version needs permission for the transaction to take place and can be disabled while the credit card one often requires a tap. Potentially if NFC range of readers are long range the vulnerability to the credit card rfid nfc can be a hackers dream. Unless you have an rfid nfc blocker card or wallet.
I am not sure how much Sars the NFC signal gives off but for my specific phone the wifi and Bluetooth doubles the sars value ( s23 ultra) so I keep everything disabled unless in use.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

02/03 – The Best Phone Case For Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Cell Phones 02/02 – Is Your Galaxy S23 Ultra Phone Emitting Dangerous Levels of Radiation? Find Out with the SAR Summary 02/02 – Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max See How The Galaxy S23 Ultra Compares: “Go big or go...

www.rfsafe.com

 

[Zordon]

"Not only will devices will have much greater NFC range" - grammar check.
I wish more phones had NFC - this should be standard by now and not just for the high-end segment.