Oh So Close: 5 Reasons to Get Excited for Near Field Communication

The latest tech to come to smart phones and how it could change the game.

Illustration by Gordon Stunder

Already inside Google and Samsung's Nexus S, and on its way to a slew of other new devices, including the next iPhone, Near Field Communication (NFC) is poised to become the biggest new technology to hit smart phones since cameras.

A leap frog over Bluetooth, NFC is a short-range wireless communication protocol that enables a wide range of new functionalities for your phone merely by holding it close to the right object or other NFC-ready device. The tech lets phones interact not only with each other, but with anything bearing a special RFID chip, like posters, door handles, kiosks and more.

We took a look at some of NFC's most tantalizing prospects: an impressive array of activities that includes everything from paying for your coffee to getting into your car. Get a peak at the future of NFC, getting nearer all the time, by clicking below.

5. Mobile Payments

4. Personalized Advertising and Promotions

3. Painless Ticketing and Check-ins

2. Easy Contact Sharing

1. Electronic Keys

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