BT: RFID just the tip of the icebergPDFPrintE-mail
UK
Written by Chris Perver  
Tuesday, 21 November 2006 17:00
These links from my friend Akhtar, and another friend...

RFID technology is set to change the way we live our lives forever, according to British Telecom futurologist Robin Mannings. According to the BT research foresight manager, once RFID becomes mainstream technology it will be used for everything, from controlling everyday household appliances, intelligent product packaging and security. Robin believes this technology leap is the next revolution of the internet, and that soon we will find our whole social lives being controlled by wireless communication.

Quote: "But there is still a way to go before even RFID tagging hits the mainstream, said Mannings. He said: "Things like RFID and tagging are today to do with business but that's not going to excite kids at school. When we start to see ubiquitous computing arranging our social lives then you can see some really cool stuff and it will change the way people interact."

All this technology of course centres around a number. At the minute governments are pressing their citizens to adopt RFID passports, visas and identity cards containing this number. But just imagine the hassle of having to carry a card on your person 12 hours a day just to be sure you can get a cup of coffee from an RFID enabled percolator whenever you get thirsty? How long will it be before people realize they need a chip in the hand or forehead if they intend to live or work in this type of environment? ...not just yet, but we're getting there. The GSMA, which represents telecommunication companies serving 82% of the world's populace,  is working on creating an RFID communication standard for mobile phones. Mobile phones and key fobs embedded with RFID technology are already widely in use in Asian countries, with people preferring to carry them rather than cash or credit cards. Already mobile phones have become such a major part of everyday life that many people cannot live without one. The GSMA hopes to submit a white paper on Near Field Communication to the NFC Forum and the European Telecommunications Standard Institute.

Quote: "There could be wide-ranging applications for such technology. "You could have it as a key for your car - it would recognise who you are, open the car door, put the right music on the stereo, that kind of stuff," the spokesperson said. Such a phone could also act in a similar way to Transport for London's Oyster card, itself an NFC device, or as a payment device in shops.

Source BusinessWeek, ZDNet

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