Top 5 ways to use NFC on the Nokia N9

Nokia's MeeGo-based N9 was announced at Nokia Connection 2011 and one of its highlight features is Near Field Communication (NFC) integration.

NFC was previously reserved for making small payments in some shops with your mobile and that was about it.

Before Nokia announced the Nokia N9, NFC was only available on a handful of phones, one of which was the Google Nexus S - a phone that arrived in India in April with a pretty heft price tag.

Now Nokia has re-invented NFC and you can use it almost anywhere. Take a look at our guide below to see just how useful the feature can be.

Like companies or add friends on Facebook
If you're an active Facebook user, NFC will allow you to add to your profile without even opening the Facebook app or website on your phone.

When you see the NFC logo, you'll be able to just touch your phone to the poster and you'll be taken to the Facebook 'like' screen on your phone.

Tap to approve it and hey presto! you're connected with more friends.

Connect your phone to speakers, wirelessly
Along with the Nokia N9, Nokia also launched the Nokia Play 360 speakers at Nokia Connection 2011. The Nokia Play 360 speaker means you can connect your phone without wires, and stream music from your Nokia N9 to the speaker.

Just tap on the NFC logo on the speaker with the Nokia N9 and your phone will do the hard work for you.

The speaker and your phone will be paired forever, so you'll never have to connect them again. The Nokia 360 speaker can also be used with Bluteooth-enabled phone or there's a 3.5mm jack to connect the traditional way.

Collect coupons
One of the ways contactless technology has been used a lot in the past is for collecting money off and offer coupons.

NFC on the Nokia N9 is no different. Just like QR codes used to be used for promotional coupons by companies, NFC tags will soon be universally available.

Simply touch your Nokia N9 to a poster advertising a downloadable coupon and the coupon will download to your phone, ready to be redeemed at some of your favourite stores.

You can expect to see these appearing everywhere, from a bus stop to a shop front or a billboard.

Extra features in apps and games
Rumours were circulating that Rovio would be launching a version of Angry Birds that is compatible with NFC.

Rumours were circulating that Nokia would be the first company to offer the special edition of Angry Birds and you would be able to tap your phone on an NFC tag to download special extra levels.

If this is true, you would potentially be able to have a game that no one without NFC would be able to play and we think that's pretty clever.

Swap photos with friends
Nokia's NFC tech will allow you to do a lot more than just tap NFC tags on posters and stickers displayed around your local area. It will also allow you to connect with friends that also have NFC on their phones.

For example, in future, you may be able to tap your Nokia N9 against your friends' Nokia N9 to share photos, add them as a friend on Facebook or even exchange phone numbers.

NFC trials are already happening in India, but many of these are to see whether making mobile payments is as secure as using a credit card. Nokia's implementation means it'll work from the off, with little interference from third party companies.

Watch out for NFC-enabled posters and information popping up in your city soon!