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NFC rollout begins in London museums.

Friday, August 19, 2011 - 09:31 by Mike Price

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Nokia has partnered with the Museum of London in order to showcase the ways in which NFC (Near Field Communication) technology can enhance visitor experiences.

NFC is turning up in a number of new smartphones and it essentially allows users to interact with hotspots and get new information delivered direct to their handsets. It is also used to make payments and other transactions, enhancing the possibilities of m-commerce and safe shopping online.

As you might expect, the NFC in the Museum of London largely gives out detailed information about various exhibits that could not be delivered via traditional means. However, there are some interesting features of the project that will have wider ramifications for consumers in the UK.

For example, the NFC hotspots are able to give out voucher codes to those who access them via their mobiles. These can then be used in the museum's gift shop and cafe, adding a layer of interactivity to the proceedings and rewarding those who are out and about with their smartphones.

Many more retailers will begin to use NFC technology over the coming months and years as they attempt to blend the worlds of safe shopping online and high street retail.

Consumers are generally quite web savvy and most smartphone owners use their mobiles to compare prices and look up the details of certain products, so by making this part of the in-store shopping process, the retailer can reward those who look to technology when making purchases.

Museum of London spokesperson Vicky Lee said that NFC would not only let visitors get a better appreciation of the venue during their visits, but also help them to engage with the museum via social media in the future. This could clearly be a benefit for retailers looking to enhance their presence on Facebook and Twitter.