Nokia introduces UAE’s first-ever mobile NFC education experience for consumers

Nokia announced the launch of the UAE's first-ever consumer engagement campaign focusing on educating people about the benefits of using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology on mobile devices. Nokia have conducted more than 90 different NFC consumer trials, as well as commercial NFC launches around the globe, Nokia is now making its NFC presence actively felt in UAE.

NFC, a technology which allows users to share information with a simple tap of a device also offers a new, easy and intuitive way of obtaining and interacting with applications and services, During the campaign, all Nokia N9 smartphone users will be able to reap benefits of the technology with just a tap of the phone on NFC-enabled posters placed at VOX cinema at Mall of the Emirates from Thursday to Saturday. The rewards for all Nokia N9 users include free cinema tickets, refreshments and the option to also download the latest movie schedules from VOX cinema until the end of the year.

“Nokia’s NFC strategy is to continue to provide market-leading NFC devices and experiences that allow the NFC ecosystem to evolve, and to develop NFC services that add value to the consumer experience. Our consumer engagement initiative with the ‘Nokia N9 NFC Cinema’ activity is the first of many rich NFC experiences we plan to bring to the region. We are fully committed to driving the technology forward by creating an open ecosystem between developers, software and service providers,” said Adam Birchall, Head of NFC Partnerships and Development, Nokia MEA.

Nokia - the pioneers in NFC

Since launching the Nokia 5140, the first commercial NFC device in 2004, the company has launched many more NFC devices. With the latest launch of its first three Nokia Belle devices (Nokia 700, Nokia 701 and Nokia 603), Nokia has the largest portfolio of NFC device models in the market. Such is the importance of NFC, that all of Nokia’s future Belle smartphones will feature this technology.

Nokia also offers a wide range of NFC-enabled accessories that people can pair NFC smartphones with, simply by tapping the two devices together. Nokia’s NFC accessories include the Nokia Luna Bluetooth headset, Nokia Essence Bluetooth stereo headset, Nokia Play 360°, a wireless speaker launched and also the Nokia BH-505, an ergonomic headset.

Future of NFC

Through NFC technology businesses in the region can develop a personalised range of NFC campaigns that help drive engagement with customers. Particularly via social media with Facebook ‘like’, Twitter ‘follow’ and Foursquare ‘check in’, providing cost effective ways of building communities compared to traditional methods.

Currently Nokia is focusing on ‘Open NFC’ in the region. ‘Open NFC’ enables consumers to share content within devices and also initiate services such as launching apps direct to websites, initiating calls and downloading vouchers by simply tapping their NFC device on NFC tags and smart posters. This approach will build a platform to educate consumers on NFC through fun and compelling consumer propositions.  Nokia is also working to create secure-based projects including NFC led payments solutions which the company is working with operators, banks and partners to establish secure projects aimed at execution during the first half of 2012.

“NFC is much more than a payment solution. It’s a significant application of the technology but not the whole story. We at Nokia believe in the value of initially concentrating on Open NFC activities to help educate consumers on the daily value of NFC and to change the way in which they use their devices. We provide preloaded NFC applications and tutorials to get people engaged and connecting quickly. In addition, we are rolling a whole range of accessories to pair with devices and working with partners to showcase the fun and value in tag reading and smart posters. We are firmly out there creating this initial offer and looking for others to build on this platform,” concluded Birchall.