(NC) -- Near field communications (NFC) is the latest buzz in mobile technology. It enables devices to exchange data instantly. It can be as simple as holding devices a few centimetres apart or touching them to one another. One common use of NFC technology today is in tap-and-go payment cards, but there are many other uses - from sharing contact information or business cards to access control to offices or parking lots, or exchanging photos and instantly connecting to Wi-Fi networks. NFC can even save, restore and customize your personal preferences when programmed with another device, such as a car.

“NFC is making smartphones even smarter by helping people do simple things in life more quickly”, said Frank Maduri, Sr. Director of Product Management NFC at BlackBerry. “BlackBerry has focused on delivering new possibilities to our customers so they can keep moving throughout their day whether it's sharing a photo, sharing contact details, pairing to an accessory or accessing a secure building.” BlackBerry has contributed to the NFC ecosystem by putting NFC into the new BlackBerry 10 smartphones.

Canadians are already familiar with NFC technology. Most new credit and debit cards are embedded with the ability to “tap and go”. Companies and service providers are working to improve the framework and infrastructure for mass adoption of NFC technology in smartphones. Further down the road, it is expected that mobile commerce will digitize our debit cards and manage loyalty programs and gift cards on our smartphones. Automobile manufacturers will integrate this technology into their cars, and perhaps even airline boarding passes will eventually become paperless thanks to NFC technology.

NFC is a game changer, and it's already beginning to shape the way we do business and live our daily lives. By eliminating physical wallets and plastic cards, transactions and data exchanges will be faster and more efficient. There's a bright future ahead for NFC-enabled devices, and over the next few years we're sure to see explosive.