NFC standards moving forward
26/02/11 15:35
The NFC forum continues to work on adding a health profile to future standard mobile phones. In parallel the Continua Health Alliance has established a task force to develop standard guidelines for a standard "Tap and Go" interface.
Android based phones appear poised to become the first phones to embrace NFC-based ease of use and functionality.
Android based phones appear poised to become the first phones to embrace NFC-based ease of use and functionality.
NFC forum decides for connected health
22/04/10 13:56
NFC to support personal health devices
So who is NFC and why is this important? Why is this the most significant news for connected patients in 2010?
What do we need? Easy contact with health professionals wherever and whenever we choose. No fuss!
NFC means Near Field Communication or “No Fuss Communications” if you are simple like me. When you touch your travel card to a reader in the train station you are using NFC. Simple, quick, and safe. No fuss. In Japan over 100 million phones have been sold containing NFC readers. Japanese citizens use them to travel, to make payments, and to connect with the “internet of things” – any device that contains an NFC tag.
The exciting decision of the NFC forum to work on specifications for using NFC to connect with personal health devices that conform to IEEE 11073 standards – such as the medication monitor – is exciting because it means you will be able to read out your vital signs and check when to take the next pill wherever you are – anytime, anywhere. If you choose, you can post this information to a professional immediately.
The NFC forum is a non-profit association that includes Nokia, the world’s biggest handset provider, and Philips the leader in connected health services. The personal health working group is chaired by Sony, a leading innovator in consumer electronics. This organisation will determine how NFC technology will be deployed in mobile phones for the future – and when they say they will support connected health then we better listen.
So when can we expect NFC phones in US and Europe? A few are already available, pioneered by Nokia. Rumours indicate that 2011 will see a massive launch – similar to Bluetooth ten years ago. Apple is also active. They made a wave of patent claims starting in 2009 and are widely rumoured to be launching NFC in the I-phone in 2010 – although knowing Apple they may yet have a proprietary tweak up their sleeves. We doubt the proprietary tweak. Apple have everything to gain by connecting with standards both for connecting devices and connecting tags. Apple has nothing to gain by trying to drive a proprietary standard for stuff that is outside their ecosystem. We will see; as usual Apple is playing their cards close to their chest but information leaked on the net definitely shows an NFC block in next generation phones – we hope so and otherwise Nokia will enjoy the Apple lunch, together with us connected patients.
So who is investing in NFC? Cypak is well ahead with their “Touch and Post” interface. A&D Medical is close behind. DSM, the Dutch giant, is also committed thanks to their acquisition of TCG. To mention others would be to infringe confidentiality agreements – but take it from us, many big boys are following the NFC route.
Why is this important? A global standard for personal health devices. Easy to use – “Touch and Post”. Standardly delivered with your next mobile phone. Do I need to explain further?
So who is NFC and why is this important? Why is this the most significant news for connected patients in 2010?
What do we need? Easy contact with health professionals wherever and whenever we choose. No fuss!
NFC means Near Field Communication or “No Fuss Communications” if you are simple like me. When you touch your travel card to a reader in the train station you are using NFC. Simple, quick, and safe. No fuss. In Japan over 100 million phones have been sold containing NFC readers. Japanese citizens use them to travel, to make payments, and to connect with the “internet of things” – any device that contains an NFC tag.
The exciting decision of the NFC forum to work on specifications for using NFC to connect with personal health devices that conform to IEEE 11073 standards – such as the medication monitor – is exciting because it means you will be able to read out your vital signs and check when to take the next pill wherever you are – anytime, anywhere. If you choose, you can post this information to a professional immediately.
The NFC forum is a non-profit association that includes Nokia, the world’s biggest handset provider, and Philips the leader in connected health services. The personal health working group is chaired by Sony, a leading innovator in consumer electronics. This organisation will determine how NFC technology will be deployed in mobile phones for the future – and when they say they will support connected health then we better listen.
So when can we expect NFC phones in US and Europe? A few are already available, pioneered by Nokia. Rumours indicate that 2011 will see a massive launch – similar to Bluetooth ten years ago. Apple is also active. They made a wave of patent claims starting in 2009 and are widely rumoured to be launching NFC in the I-phone in 2010 – although knowing Apple they may yet have a proprietary tweak up their sleeves. We doubt the proprietary tweak. Apple have everything to gain by connecting with standards both for connecting devices and connecting tags. Apple has nothing to gain by trying to drive a proprietary standard for stuff that is outside their ecosystem. We will see; as usual Apple is playing their cards close to their chest but information leaked on the net definitely shows an NFC block in next generation phones – we hope so and otherwise Nokia will enjoy the Apple lunch, together with us connected patients.
So who is investing in NFC? Cypak is well ahead with their “Touch and Post” interface. A&D Medical is close behind. DSM, the Dutch giant, is also committed thanks to their acquisition of TCG. To mention others would be to infringe confidentiality agreements – but take it from us, many big boys are following the NFC route.
Why is this important? A global standard for personal health devices. Easy to use – “Touch and Post”. Standardly delivered with your next mobile phone. Do I need to explain further?