The NFC Forum is developing “NFC Multi-Purpose Tap,” a new version of NFC aimed at enhancing smartphone functionality. It aims to manage multiple transactions simultaneously during contact, revolutionizing payments and electronic ticketing capabilities.
Multiple transactions at the same time via NFC
For example, at a merchant, this technology would make it possible to validate the payment and add promotions or loyalty points, in a single tap. Or, when purchasing a product, the user could at the same time receive information on how it can be recycled. In other words, it’s as if the current NFC is a road with a single lane, while the NFC Multi-Purpose Tap would work as a highway with multiple lanes.
Multi-Purpose Tap will bring even more convenience to contactless user experiences by enabling multiple transactions to be made seamlessly during a single tap,” says Mike McCamon, Executive Director of the NFC Forum. “Consumers and retailers love the security, reliability and convenience of contactless payments – imagine also registering loyalty points or getting your receipt on that same instant tap. The potential to perform multiple functions and link services together is limitless.
Currently, it’s at the concept stage
Unfortunately, the Multi-Purpose Tap is still in its conceptual stage and has yet to be integrated into iPhones and other electronic devices. The NFC Forum has released an initial preview of the concept, urging stakeholders across the NFC value chain to contribute to its development. According to the Executive Director of the NFC Forum:
We encourage all stakeholders across the entire NFC value chain, from payment acceptors and terminal manufacturers to loyalty programs and ticketing providers, to contribute to the development of this technology and ensure that their future ambitions are taken into account.
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Apple, a member of the NFC Forum‘s board of directors alongside Google and Qualcomm, utilizes NFC technology in its devices. There’s hope that once this new NFC version is available, it will support iPhone payments. In Europe, the benefits of this NFC evolution could extend beyond Apple Pay due to regulatory changes like the Digital Markets Act, which enables third-party payment apps to utilize the iPhone’s NFC module. However, the timeline for the availability of Multi-Purpose Tap technology remains uncertain.
