Physical browsing with NFC technology

Physical browsing is a new intuitive human-computer interfacing paradigm for mobile users. Services, such as information retrieval, peer-to-peer communication, payment or ticketing, and professional applications can be initiated by simply touching an object with a user's personal device. This paradigm can be implemented with RFID technology. A number of major companies in the fields of mobile communications, electronics and financing have joined forces in an effort to commercialise this human-computer interaction paradigm with the brand name Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC is based on existing technology using 13.56 MHz RFIDs and international standards. The NFC forum is creating standards and recommendations for the upper level protocols and application models. VTT is leading a Europe-wide project which develops and pilots NFC technology. This report describes the findings and results of the first project year. The report outlines the concept of Physical browsing, NFC technology, its main applications, and describes a pilot case with a meal service for elderly people. An NFC Bluetooth gateway prototype has been designed and the first experiments are briefly described. Security and privacy issues relevant to NFC are described. The main business models, namely those driven by financial institutions, mobile operators or other parties are discussed. A look at major trials and roll-outs of contactless payment is given. Some solutions to the dilemma of scarce NFC services and low penetration of NFC phones are suggested.