Is Near Field Communication the most onerous technology ever?

**tabletnovice** · 02-24-2013, 07:18 AM

According to internationally known technology columnist John Dvorak, Near Field Communication is troublesome and warns against using it in this article, "."

I just bought my first SmartPhone last week. In comparing features of various phones, one of the main reasons I decided against an iPhone was because current models do not have NFC (plus the Galaxy S3 has a bigger screen and I do like the Android OS).

Though I haven't tried NFC yet, I was excited about it because I previously read that it's safer to use than giving others your credit card. And it certainly is convenient. After reading this article, I'm not so sure.

What do you think about NFC? Is it best to avoid using it?

**Mom2Ninjas** · 02-24-2013, 07:28 AM

This article is not based on anything but 1 guys fear of technology.

**return_0** · 02-24-2013, 12:36 PM

Umm… the article doesn't say a single thing about what's wrong with NFC. All it talks about is the aspirations of Bluetooth and some modem scam. Nothing about NFC in there.

And on a side note, why didn't you get the Nexus 4? :P

**tabletnovice** · 02-24-2013, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by return_0

Umm… the article doesn't say a single thing about what's wrong with NFC. All it talks about is the aspirations of Bluetooth and some modem scam. Nothing about NFC in there.

And on a side note, why didn't you get the Nexus 4? :P

Yes, he was talking about scams but I assumed he was talking about security issues.

I didn't get the Nexus 4 for two reasons: it is not accepted by my carrier (Verizon) and from all I read, the GS3 has a better camera, though I know not as good as iPhone or Nokia PureView cameras.

I originally thought about getting the N4 and going with StraightTalk, but everything I've read (including Consumers Report) is that Verizon has the most reliable cell phone service. At my age, reliability is more important than saving a few bucks. I'm on a shared plan with another family member.

**ab304945** · 02-24-2013, 05:34 PM

only really security issue with NFC, is the credit cards with a nfc chip in it. Saw a vid on a guy with a pad walks buy some1 and was able to get his credi card info from it.

Now this cant happen with a phone cause phone has to be unlocked for even nfc to work

**mrmoe110** · 02-25-2013, 10:29 AM

I hate when people that try to predict the future always have a pessimistic view of things. That's what that article is about, to me. If the world was run by people like Dvorak we probably wouldn't even have cellphones period.

**xlDeMoNiClx** · 02-25-2013, 11:09 AM

Just another guy that drones on and on without presenting a single bit of proof to support his claim. Doesn't say anything about why he thinks NFC is bad, article should just be deleted. lol

**tewest86** · 02-25-2013, 11:10 AM

Being that you have Verizon, you can't use Google Wallet to pay for things with the NFC chip. I hope the store told you that when you purchased the phone.

**tabletnovice** · 02-25-2013, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by tewest86

Being that you have Verizon, you can't use Google Wallet to pay for things with the NFC chip. I hope the store told you that when you purchased the phone.

No, they did NOT!

**Lanhoj** · 02-25-2013, 05:59 PM

Only reason I have ever used NFC is for Google Wallet.

Other than that I don't see it being too useful until a bigger % of devices have it. I can count on one hand the # of people I've come across with compatible NFC phones to "Beam" between.

The possibilities are cool, just not mainstream enough...yet.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**Mellimel22** · 02-25-2013, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by tabletnovice

No, they did NOT!

U can side load it but u have to be rooted.

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

**Mom2Ninjas** · 02-25-2013, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lanhoj

Only reason I have ever used NFC is for Google Wallet.

Other than that I don't see it being too useful until a bigger % of devices have it. I can count on one hand the # of people I've come across with compatible NFC phones to "Beam" between.

The possibilities are cool, just not mainstream enough...yet.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

The nfc tags are useful though. Just a thought.

**tewest86** · 02-25-2013, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mellimel22

U can side load it but u have to be rooted.

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

He can. But he said this is his first art phone. Getting Google Wallet on an unsupported device and working correctly is a PITA. I went through it a few times. You run into so many problems.

**tabletnovice** · 02-26-2013, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by tewest86

But he said this is his first art phone. Getting Google Wallet on an unsupported device and working correctly is a PITA. I went through it a few times. You run into so many problems.

You are correct that this is my first smart phone. I have Google Wallet on my Nexus7 but have never used it.

But I'm not very savvy when it comes to understanding these things. I do not really understand sideloading and from what little I understand about rooting, it is not something I want to mess with.

I'm going to go to Best Buy today to return the Samsung Flip cover (forget it if you use your camera to take snapshots) and will ask more information about this issue. Thank you all for the input.

If I need to put in all the time I've had to do with messing with my phone book on my phone and on my car, forget it.

**Mellimel22** · 02-26-2013, 04:30 PM

With a nexus or Samsung rooting takes but 5 min to root and really isn't complicated at all and takes nothing but pressing a few keys. The closest comparison is like a pc. With our phones now its like we are on the guest profile which let's us do the basic customations and android abilities but rooting is giving yo phone administrative access with FULL abilities.

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

**tewest86** · 02-26-2013, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mellimel22

With a nexus or Samsung rooting takes but 5 min to root and really isn't complicated at all and takes nothing but pressing a few keys. The closest comparison is like a pc. With our phones now its like we are on the guest profile which let's us do the basic customations and android abilities but rooting is giving yo phone administrative access with FULL abilities.

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

It's not the rooting. It's getting Google Wallet on and working correctly. I did it for the Note 2 and SGS3. It's not the easiest of things. Not really difficult but not easy. And not guaranteed to work.

**Mellimel22** · 02-26-2013, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by tewest86

It's not the rooting. It's getting Google Wallet on and working correctly. I did it for the Note 2 and SGS3. It's not the easiest of things. Not really difficult but not easy. And not guaranteed to work.

My cuz has Google wallet on his att s3 with no issues at all we both use it at McDonald's

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

**Patrick Schroedl** · 02-27-2013, 12:41 AM

I use NFC all the time. Quickly tapping things between my Nexus devices and my friends' Nexus 7's has never been more awesome.

Oh and Google Wallet is nice too.

**Imnutsnj** · 03-05-2013, 01:12 AM

IMHO, NFC is a great feature to have. I set mine up for when I run errands to turn off wifi and to enable blue tooth. Now if I could find an NFC app that will allow me to toggle data it would be perfect.

Sent from my Jelly Bean flavored HTC DROID DNA

**anjali_jain** · 03-05-2013, 05:17 AM

One of the great advantages of NFC is that with NFC, I'll be able to pay for stuff on billboards. I won't need a wallet.

**Julie Bonnet** · 03-05-2013, 05:20 AM

RISKS & ADVANTAGES 'NFC':
- Risks: Sensitive Financial Data, Spyware or Malware Interference, Lack of Education
- Advantages: Augmented Shopping Experience, More Tech Companies Are Getting On Board, Quick and Easy Access

**tabletnovice** · 03-07-2013, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Julie Bonnet

RISKS & ADVANTAGES 'NFC':
- Risks: Sensitive Financial Data, Spyware or Malware Interference, Lack of Education
- Advantages: Augmented Shopping Experience, More Tech Companies Are Getting On Board, Quick and Easy Access

Based on your list, I'm not at all sure the advantages of NFC outweigh the risks!

**Mellimel22** · 03-07-2013, 10:46 PM

Like what data??? Google Wallet and using NFC is no different from paying for stuff with a debit card or better yet putting money on one. I find its really safe and convenient. Prime ex me and the FAM was out and the kids and myself wanted McDonalds and I didn't have my card on me and lil cash on hand. All I did was tap the terminal and done. Anybody just can't use it. It requires a pin at every entry

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

**Rosaura1234** · 03-08-2013, 12:40 AM

Actually, I haven't used the NFC, but one of my friend use it and he appreciates the technology very much.It is newly introduced by Android into mobile device, and now it is most used for transferring data with the powerful efficiency.I really want to try it,but what a pity that my phone has no nfc support.

**Imnutsnj** · 03-09-2013, 06:22 AM

NFC is so much safer than using debit cards. It's on the news all of the time about some gas station or store having a card reader hidden in their machines stealing your data, they can't do that with NFC (or at least, not yet). As mentioned earlier, each time you make a transaction, you need to enter a pin number.
NFC is also a great time saver, you can program an NFC tag to accomplish any number of tasks on your phone and with one swipe, they're done, this sure beats doing the tasks one at a time. The tags also multitask (when I run an errand, I have mine toggle wifi off, data on, bluetooth on, navigation on and send my wife a text, when I return, using the same tag, it will turn wifi on, data, bluetooth and navigation off), so NFC definitely has far more pluses than minuses.

Sent telepathically from my padded cell via an HTC DROID DNA