Some idea of the things near field communications might mean for mobile payments in retail settings can be gleaned from the three basic communication modes. In "passive" mode, the mobile device sends data to a terminal (cash register or card reader). That's the same sort of thing people do today with automated toll booth readers. Obviously there are some basic payment functions this will work for.
In card emulation mode, NFC can replicate the functional capabilities of payment cards, mass transit ticketing cards, building entry cards and others. Data flows from the NFC device to the card-reading device—a contactless point of sale (PoS) terminal, turnstile or building entry device.
In active reader mode, NFC can grab information from passive NFC tags to run applications, visit Web sites, call people or perform any other number of actions executable by a mobile phone. Data flows from the tag to the NFC device.
In peer-to-peer mode, an NFC device can link to other NFC devices in much the same way Bluetooth currently does, but it has greater security. The greatest number of in-store loyalty and other apps will use P2P.
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