New NFC spec lets two phones swap messages
updated 11:10 am EDT, Thu September 29, 2011
NFC revision allows peer-to-peer message sending
The NFC Forum, an industry association devoted to Near Field Communications (NFC) tech, has just revised its specs, adding a new exchange protocol. Dubbed Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol (SNEP), it allows sending and receiving messages between two NFC-enabled devices. This is an extension of the NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), which was only applicable to NFC tags in the past.
Possible uses could include sending a business card for quickly adding contact information by simply accepting it and allowing it to be added to contacts. A more advanced use could include collecting movie posters from ads and fetching more data later on a compatible TV or remote. They could quickly view the trailer, navigate the movie's website, and do further research.
The protocol uses the NFC Logical Link Control (LLCP) transport mode to keep the data reliable.
NFC currently has limited play in smartphones but is growing rapidly. Along with Google's Nexus S, newer BlackBerrys like the Bold 9900 and Curve 9360 are some of the only NFC-equipped devices in use so far.
