The use of wireless technologies has grown tremendously over the past few years. We can easily and quickly transfer data from one device to another. However we need secure data transfer platforms. Who wants to share their private information in unsecure networks? However, NFC and Bluetooth wireless technology allow quick and secure data. NFC and Bluetooth are similar in that they both allow communication between different devices over short distance. Beyond this, they are different. NFC technology is newer than Bluetooth though the technology used is older. Let’s look at these two wireless technologies deeper to understand how they differ.
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What is NFC?
NFC is an acronym for Near Field Communication. As the name suggests, NFC is used for short range communication. It allows two devices to connect with each other without the physical pairing process. All you need to do to connect two devices is to bring them close to each other.
How NFC Works
Just like other wireless technologies, NFC works by sending data over electromagnetic fields. NFC uses e Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to transmit information. This makes NFC a secure method of sharing information over a short distance. To transmit data using NFC technology, you need two NFC enabled devices, for example your smartphone and an NFC tag or sticker. Although Bluetooth technology works identically, in NFC, you do not need to pair the devices or permission to transmit data.
What Devices Work With NFC?
For NFC to work, you need one device that transmits the signal and another one that receives the signal. A range of devices can use NFC technology. These devices are either passive or active. Passive devices only connect to an active device and don’t process data from the source. In addition, passive devices can’t connect to other passive devices. They include tags and other small processers.
On the other hand, active devices both send and receive data. They can communicate with both active and passive devices. The most common active NFC device is a smartphone. Other examples include touch payment terminals and public transport readers.
NFC Frequency and Data Rates
NFC transmits data at a frequency band of about 13.56 Megahertz. It supports speeds of, 106, 212, or 424 kilobits per second. To determine the data to be shared between different devices,
NFC Modes
NFC standard has three modes of operation. These modes are;
Peer to Peer Mode: Peer to peer mode allows sharing of information between two enabled NFC devices. The devices switch between passive and active when receiving and receiving information.
Read/Write Mode: In this mode, an active device such as your smartphone connects with another device and reads information from it. An example of this is NFC advert tags.
Card Emulation: An example is contactless credit card payments or public transport systems. You only need to tap or wave your device to make payments.
Advantages of NFC
- Near field Communication Technology allows users to share files and perform transactions with ease and without carrier charges.
- NFC is a safe and secure data transfer method. NFC encrypts sensitive information thus reducing the risks of hackers and fraudsters from accessing your private information.
- Near Field Communication allows quicker connections. This is of useful especially at points of sales in supermarkets and shopping malls. You won’t have to wait on the line for long.
- Near Field Communication consumes less power than other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Besides, you do not need to setup a connection with another device.
- In business, Near Field Communication improves workplace efficiency and customer service. Customers enjoy fast and efficient services.
- It also helps to improve customer satisfaction by providing a hassle-free mode of payment.
- Near Field Communication has a wide range of applications. It’s used for mobile banking, reserving restaurant seats, ticketing, rewarding rewards and coupons and so on.
- NFC enabled payment cards are more secured than magnetic strip of the regular credit card.
Disadvantages of NFC
- NFC IS still a new technology, it’s thus not compatible with many devices. You have to upgrade to the latest versions to enjoy its benefits.
- Many businesses are yet to implement NFC in their workplace because the installation may be costly. That makes it difficult to those of us who would like to use it everywhere and anywhere.
- NFC only works over short ranges. To be precise, NFC devices can only share information with another only if they are 4cm apart.
- Lastly, there is lack of consumer education on NFC technology. NFC technology is still in its infant years. There is little information online on how the technology works.
What Can I Use NFC for?
NFC has numerous applications. We have summarized some of its applications here.
- Making Payments
NFC technology is famous for its use in cashless payments via smartphones. NFC helps businesses to make faster payments by just a tap on their phone.
- To Initiate a Phone Call
You can link NFC tags to the dialer. This helps to initialize phone calls effortlessly. It is also possible to share contacts with your phone through NFC technology.
- To View an Image Gallery
You can also link NFC tags to image galleries so that you can share photos with your friends. Business use this feature to showcase images of products you would like customers to purchase.
- To View PDF Documents
This feature allows students to share class notes in PDF format with others among their group.
- To Navigate to a Location
You can link NFC posters to Google maps to help users locate your location with a tap of their phone. Besides, NFC tags also guide consumer shopping by delivering a personalized experience. They help customers to find matching products and to navigate online retail stores without any hassles.
- To Launch an APP
NFC technology helps marketers to boost app downloads by directing users to the app store. Businesses can also launch their business app with a tap.
What is Bluetooth?
You are probably already familiar with Bluetooth. Bluetooth was named after Harald Bluetooth who was King of Denmark in the 10th century. This is in recognition of his efforts to unite Norway and Denmark. Bluetooth is a standard which allows contactless exchange of information between nearby devices via a radio frequency.
How do I Pair Bluetooth Devices?
To save your battery life Bluetooth devices are not discoverable until you turn them on and pair them. When you make your device discoverable, other Bluetooth radios can find you. You can pair you’re your laptop with your smartphone or tablet to exchange files wirelessly.
What Is Bluetooth Used for?
The most common Bluetooth devices are smartphones, notebooks and their accessories such as speakers, headsets, speakers and, mice. It allows you to connect two devices without the hassle of wires. The connection is of high quality and standard. Cables do not guaranteed a uniform connection because most cable types only work with cables from the same manufacturer.
Examples of Bluetooth Applications
- Connect Devices
Most people use Bluetooth to listen to music through earpods or wireless speakers. You could also use Bluetooth to connect your pc with a wireless keyboard, mouse, or printer. In modern cars, you can play music from your smartphone through your car’s speakers without any cables. It is also possible to use Bluetooth to reply to phone calls or reply to text messages without touching your phone
- Share Files
Bluetooth allows file sharing. For instance, you can send to your friends interesting videos, music and photos. This was very common in the olden days before the invention of smartphones. Bluetooth also allows you to send and receive files from your computer without a USB connection.
- Set Up Tethering
Tethering refers to sharing of your mobile network with other devices. You can therefore use your smartphone as a hotspot. To set up tethering, you can either use a USB cable or Bluetooth. This allows you to connect to the internet without Wi-Fi.
- For Security
You can use Bluetooth to make your house secure. There are security locks that you can connect with your phone through Bluetooth so that your smartphone can act as a key. Bluetooth can also be used to improve the security of your computer or laptop. There are applications that you can install to ensure that you can only access your computer if your phone is within Bluetooth range.
- To Check Your Health
Bluetooth also plays a critical role in the health sector. Bluetooth is used in devices such as fitness trackers. It can also be used to transmit data about your health condition to health care professionals. There is thus no need for routine in-person visits to the hospital. In the gym heart rate monitors use Bluetooth to transmit your heart rate to a fitness device.
How Does Bluetooth work?
All Bluetooth devices have a microchip that can send and receive data. In addition, every Bluetooth device can be identified by a unique serial number. When you activate Bluetooth, the devices scan the environment in search of other Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth then informs you about the search results. You can then choose which Bluetooth device to connect to.
Before a connection is established, you are required to enter a pin to confirm the connection process. In future, the paired devices will connect automatically as they deem each other trustworthy connection. There 79 different frequencies a Bluetooth network can choose.
Frequency Hopping
One thing that makes Bluetooth great is that it uses frequency hopping. Frequency hopping means that the connection keeps jumping from one frequency to another to maintain a secure connection.
Advantages of Bluetooth
Bluetooth has a plethora of advantages. Some of these benefits include:
- Bluetooth is wireless
The main advantage of Bluetooth is that it is wireless. There are no wires restricting your movement. In an office setting, your desk will look messy if you have Bluetooth enabled , mouse, keyboard and printer.
- Bluetooth Technology is Automatic and Easy to Use
Besides allowing you to move freely, Bluetooth is also easy to use. You don’t have to be a tech guru to use Bluetooth. The Bluetooth system is automatic. When you enable Bluetooth on two devices, the devices automatically find each other. You only need to approve the connection once. Afterwards, the connected device will automatically connect when you activate Bluetooth on both devices.
- Compatibility
Bluetooth is compatible with many devices. It is a universal connection. You can buy Bluetooth transmitters if the device you are using such as your computer is not Bluetooth enabled. These transmitters have USB connection that enables your computer to connect with other Bluetooth devices.
- Bluetooth Can Connect With Multiple Devices at once
Bluetooth allows you to send information to multiple devices at once (8). In such connections one device is the ‘’master” and it controls the other seven devices referred to as slaves. This makes it possible to connect multiple speakers to one phone. This way, an entire party can listen to music from your phone.
- Low Interference
Bluetooth transmits weak signals, which means that it is unlikely for Bluetooth signals to interfere with other signals. Besides, frequency hopping makes sure that a Bluetooth connection is always strong. The weak signals also save power. This means that you can listen to music in your phone via Bluetooth for longer periods without your battery running out.
- Secure Connection
A Bluetooth connection is secure. You must first approve all connections unless they are already part of your network. Besides, Bluetooth only allows short range connectivity. This makes it a safer method of sharing information in comparison to Wi-Fi.
Disadvantages of Bluetooth
All most every technology has a downside. Bluetooth has no exception. Here are some negative aspects about Bluetooth.
- Battery Eater
Although Bluetooth consumes relatively low energy, wireless devices have to be charged more frequently. The phone battery drains faster when you turn on Bluetooth on your phone. We recommend that you turn off your Bluetooth when not using.
- Possible Health Risks
Bluetooth uses radiation. Radiation is known to be a health risk to us. Some research show a possible link between health issues such as depression, anxiety, brain tumors, sleeping disorders and Bluetooth. Some argue that Bluetooth has never been proven to be safe. To be fair, Bluetooth has not been well researched ads other forms of radiofrequency radiation. However, there is also no evidence that directly points to the effects of Bluetooth to your health. We will inform you once something comes up.
- Easy to find
One advantage of Bluetooth we discussed is that it is easy to find and use. However, this can also be a disadvantage. In the Bluetooth setting you can see the active Bluetooth devices in your vicinity. Hackers can easily find this information and manipulate it. Avoid turning your Bluetooth on when in public places such as the train station or café’.
- Bluebugging
This is when a hacker sets up Bluetooth connection with your phone without you knowing. The hackers then use the connection to call paid telephone numbers. This leaves with high telephone bill to pay.
- Bluesnarfing
This is when a hacker connects to your phone via Bluetooth and illegally retrieves information such as calendar appointments, and telephone numbers. A hacker needs lots of time and skills to achieve this. So, such cases are reported once in a while.
- Bluejacking
This is one of the earliest attacks on Bluetooth. This is how it works. A hacker sends you a token, this is just a message typed by the hacker. When you open it, a message pops up and invites you to turn on your Bluetooth. If you are not keen you could easily give the hacker access to your contact list.
- Bluetooth Tracking
It is possible for people to find your location through Bluetooth tracking. Every Bluetooth device has a unique Media Access Control Address. This is a unique number that belongs to your device. This address is visible in some Bluetooth devices when Bluetooth is turned on. Retail stores use this feature to track the number of times you shop at their stores. In cases of pandemics such as the current corona crisis, it could help track people to map infections.
How To Use Bluetooth Safely
Bluetooth connections are not always safe. It’s thus essential to learn how to safely use Bluetooth. Follow the following tips to protect yourself from Bluetooth hackers.
- Security Updates
Bluetooth often release security updates. The best way to protect your device from hackers is to update your security system every time un update is released. For instance, after the BlueBorne attack, Amazon and Google released new security updates to curb the situation. The situation was quickly put in control. To protect themselves, users had to download the latest update.
- Use the Latest Bluetooth Version
Just like with security updates its essential to if possible, use devices with the most recent Bluetooth version. The latest versions use the modern Bluetooth standards. However, you can’t install a new Bluetooth version on older device. If you want to use the latest Bluetooth device, buy a new device.
- Secure Your Bluetooth
To be safe, set up your device to connect with only trusted devices. This will prevent connecting with unwanted devices. Additionally, you can set your device to request for a pin before connecting. It makes it impossible for someone to trick you to join an unsecure connection. This ensures that your device is not prone to the Bluetooth attacks we talked about earlier.
- Turn Bluetooth On Only When You Need
Because Bluetooth devices automatically find each other, this feature predisposes you to attacks. It’s advised to turn your Bluetooth only when you need it to save your battery. There are apps such as Tasker that automatically turn off your Bluetooth when you disconnect from a device or location.
What’s the Difference Between Bluetooth and NFC?
- Range
Bothe Bluetooth and NFC are transmission standards for wireless data transfer. However, these two technologies have a myriad of differences. The first difference is their reach. Bluetooth devices can communicate with each other over a range of 10 to 100 meters. On the other hand, NFC devices can only communicate in short distances (1-4 m).
- Use Cases
Although the short range reach of NFC devices can be seen as a disadvantage, NFC devices were specifically designed for different area of application. NFC was designed to make cashless payments easy and secure. To avoid incidences of fraud, it is essential that such transactions are conducted over short distances. You can’t pay unintentionally when standing next to a point of sale terminal.
On the other hand, Bluetooth was developed as an alternative to exchanging information via wired cables. This requires a wider reach.
- Radio Frequency
NFC technology communicates on a specific radio frequency (13.56). On the contrary, Bluetooth uses frequency hopping. Because there are many Bluetooth connections, communication using a specific frequency would cause signal interruptions. Bluetooth connections are thus stable because interruptions are minimized because of switching to another frequency.
Summarized Comparison: NFC vs. Bluetooth
Point Of Comparison | NFC | Bluetooth |
Technology | Interacting Electromagnetic Radio Fields | Direct Radio transmission |
Standards | ISO,ETSI,ECMA | IEEE |
Frequency | 13.56 Megahertz | 2.04 CHZ |
Simultaneous Connectivity | Two devices at a time | Up to 10 devices at a time |
Range | Maximum of 4cm | Up to 100m |
Maximum Data Transfer rate | 424Kbt/hr. | 1-3 Mbit/s |
What Is NFC Bluetooth Pairing?
NFC Bluetooth pairing enables Bluetooth devices to establish a wireless connection with each othe by touching the devices together. Check your device manual to see if it supports NFC. Here is how to pair your device.
- Power on your headphones.
- Turn on Bluetooth and NFC feature on your device.
- Tap the NFC touch point on the device to the NFC touch point on the headphones.
Once the devices pair, You hear, “connected tos < device name> ” For the devices to connect, make sure that they are within range and that Bluetooth is enabled.
Wrap Up
NFC requires less power. Unlike Bluetooth, NFC can induce current within passive devices. This means you do not have to charge your passive NFC device. They are powered by the magnetic field produced by active NFC devices. This is the same principle the enables QI wireless charging. However, NFC transmission is slower compared to Bluetooth.
An advantage that NFC has over Bluetooth is faster connectivity. It takes seconds for two devices to connect via NFC without the need of manual pairing and inductive coupling. Although NFC can be effective in transferring data over short distances, it’s meant for specific set of applications. The major NFC applications include Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Android Pay. In conclusion, these two technologies are meant to complete each other and not compete with each other. I hope that you enjoyed reading this article. Keep it here for related blog content.