Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology designed to help your mobile devices easily receive and share information with the world around you. Find out how NFC works and how it can make your smartphone even more helpful.
What is NFC?
Near field communication, or NFC, is a standards-based type of wireless communication that transmits a radio field at a very close range, usually within about an inch. An NFC exchange always involves a device that initiates the communication, and a target from which the device is receiving information. The target can be a powered “peer,” like two mobile phones exchanging information, or an unpowered “tag” or object, such as a credit and debit card, key card, sticker, poster or key fob.
- A Simple Way to Share. NFC offers an easy way for mobile devices to communicate wirelessly with both powered devices and unpowered objects.
- Your Wireless Life. NFC is just one more way for you to interact with your wireless world—from the train station to the shopping mall to your very own home, NFC streamlines repetitive common tasks and lets you get information from other NFC-enabled devices and tags.
- Active and Passive Modes. When a powered NFC device connects to another powered NFC device, they are connecting in active communication mode. In active mode, both devices generate a radio field as they communicate.
S Beam and Android Beam
S Beam™ incorporates the best features of Android Beam with Samsung’s own ability to share files with other S Beam-capable devices.
- Touch and Beam. Google™ added native NFC support to Android™ 4.0 with Android Beam, which lets you instantly exchange links to apps, contacts, web pages, maps and videos just by holding two NFC-enabled devices back to back.
- Instant Sharing. NFC through Android Beam lets you instantly share URLs, contacts and calendar events with other Android Beam-capable devices.
- Map it Out. An important business contact is in town and wants to meet you later for dinner, but he doesn’t know how to find the restaurant. You log onto Google Maps™ for directions, hold your phone back-to-back with his, and then touch your screen to beam the information. The map appears on his device almost instantly.
- Share an App. When you share an app downloaded from the Google Play™ Store with Android Beam, your device sends a link to the Google Play Store. Your friend’s Android device will load the app’s Details page, so they can download the app in seconds.
Send/Receive Multimedia Files
S Beam supports the transfer of files up to 1GB in size.
- Share Large Files. Android Beam allows you to share contacts and calendar info, plus links to apps from the Google Play Store, YouTube™ videos, maps and web pages. With S Beam, you can still send contacts, calendar events and links, but you can also quickly share actual files, such as photos, videos and documents.
- Share a Winning Goal. Your favorite hockey team just won the game in sudden-death overtime and you caught amazing video. With S Beam, you can instantly beam that video to fans with S Beam capable phones in the seats behind you, and even share it around the water cooler the next morning.
- Beam Videos Quickly. A 40MB video is too large to send as an attachment on many email services. But with S Beam, you can share that video directly with another device in less than 10 seconds.
- A Hybrid Technology. S Beam works by combining NFC and another sharing technology, Wi-Fi Direct™. This hybrid technology lets you share with other S Beam users and with other NFC-capable Android™ devices.
TecTiles: NFC, Your Way
Each TecTile™ is about the size of a quarter and about as thick as a playing card. You can stick the TecTile to most surfaces. TecTiles are rewritable, so it’s easy to change the function of a TecTile anytime.
Samsung TecTiles are programmable NFC tags you can use to automate tasks such as:
- Configuring multiple settings on your phone
- Enabling a password-free method for friends to join your Wi-Fi™ network
- Calling a friend or sending a pre-written text automatically
Learn more about how to use TecTiles.
Google Wallet: Use Credit Without a Card
Your Phone Is Your Wallet: Google Wallet™, available on select NFC-enabled Android phones, lets you pay for purchases by touching your phone to the credit card terminal. You can pay, redeem Google Offers and earn loyalty points in a single touch at special Google SingleTap™ stores.
Checkout Convenience: Enjoy the convenience of not having to carry your credit card with you by storing your card information on your smartphone or tablet.
Keeping Payments Secure: To keep your credit card or prepaid card information secure, Google Wallet requires a PIN for use. You can add additional protection by adding a PIN, password or pattern lock and enabling encryption on your device. Go to Settings > Security to review these options.
FAQs
Why Back-to-Back?
When you use Android Beam to share with another Android device, the two devices are held with their backs touching, but why not front-to-front or side-to-side? The NFC technology in each mobile device is located on the back of the device where the NFC chip is not hampered by objects such as the phone screen.
How do I turn on S Beam?
To turn S Beam on, go to Settings. Under Wireless and Network, select More Settings. Check the box next to NFC. Then touch S Beam and move the slider to ON.
How do I use S Beam?
Once you have turned S Beam on, the feature will help you know when you can use it. If you have something on your phone that you want to share, simply hold the back of your phone against the back of another S Beam capable phone and watch the screen. If the item can be sent, the screen will read “touch to beam” and the phone will send a slight vibration to let you know it is ready to beam. Learn more.
How do I beam playlists and songs in Music Hub?
Music Hub allows you to share select songs and playlists with other Music Hub subscribers on a Samsung Galaxy NFC-enabled device using Android Beam technology. You can only beam music that is located in the Music Hub catalog. First, turn on NFC to enable beaming through Settings > More settings. From the Music Hub app, touch My Music to access your playlists. Select a playlist or song you want to share. When you put the devices together, the image will shrink. Touch the image to begin the transfer. The Playlist will appear in the other subscriber's My Music folder and an individual song will immediately begin playing on the other device. Learn more.
Samsung and TecTiles are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Google, Google Play, Google Offers, Google Maps, Android, Android Beam, and SingleTap are trademarks of Google Inc. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.
Screen images simulated. Appearance and actual performance of device may vary. The above content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice. Samsung Electronics is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.
