The NFC forum is official presented the new version of the standard is NFC Release 15, which significantly improves the functionality of contactless payments, in particular services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. The main advantage was an increase in the maximum distance for establishing a connection – now it is up to 2 cm, which is four times more than the previous figure of 0.5 cm.
This update will facilitate faster and more convenient payments, especially for owners of smartwatches such as Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. Also, the extended connection radius will significantly improve interaction with digital car keys, transport maps and headphones with NFC support.
“Expanding the range of NFC contactless connections was one of the key priorities outlined in the NFC Forum’s five-year roadmap to meet changing market needs and enable faster and easier transactions on all NFC-enabled devices, including smaller form factors such as wearables or smartphones,” – explained Mike McCammon, executive director of the NFC Forum
The new version ensures a faster start of the connection and does not require precise alignment of the devices, which makes using the technology even more comfortable. NFC Release 15 certification is expected to start in the fall, after which users will be able to experience its benefits in practice. In addition, this update opens up new perspectives for the use of technology — in particular, the possibility of turning a smartphone into a full-fledged payment terminal.
