How can journalists, newspapers and other media use NFC?

The iPhone 5 that is rumored to be announced Oct. 7 that is rumored to be for sale Oct. 15 is rumored to include NFC.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I think it is worth discussing ideas of what media can do with this new technology.

But first…What is NFC?

  • A way for two things to communicate with each other - generally prompted to communicate by tapping.
  • On one end: you have an initiator. A sticker-like mini transformer that posses content (much like how QR codes posses content).
  • On the other end: you have a target. This would be the iPhone 5 possessing an NFC-enabled chip.


In English?

  • You go to Starbucks and pay for your latte by bumping your iPhone to the cash register.
  • You go to board the Metro and bump your iPhone against a box to pay to board.
  • You go out to dinner with friends and split the bill. Your friend pays the bill directly and you bump phones with them to transfer your share of the payment over.
  • You go on a tour of the Grand Canyon and to learn more about the canyon you tap your iPhone to a sign.
  • You see a postor for a new movie at the theater and you tap it with your iPhone to watch the trailer.
  • You go to the grocery store and you see a deal on a product, you tap the product's sign to download the coupon and, when paying, you tap the cash register to transfer the coupons.


So, how could this be applied to media?

How could this apply to newspapers, websites, radio and TV stations? Here's a few of my random ideas, and I'd love to see your ideas!

  • Include NFC tags in every Sunday newspaper (probably once, because this could cost a lot of money) and the tags send people to a special advertising experience.
  • A company puts kiosks or posters or bus shelter ads throughout the community (on the streets, in shops) and they all include an NFC tag sending people to more information based on the ad.
  • If the company is a large sponsor/partner with a local pro sports team: for 1 game add postors or have fliers available throughout that include an NFC tag that sends people to your organization's mobile site/app for your coverage on the team.

More resources on NFC: