NFC technology has been with us for almost a decadeHowever, it has not always been used to make mobile payments. In fact, it was initially used as an alternative when sharing and streaming music to bluetooth devices.
In addition, it was also used to perform certain actions on the mobile device when we brought it close to an NFC tag. But nevertheless, NFC technology faced a competitor. I'm talking about Hotknot technology, a technology developed in China as a cheaper alternative.
NFC technology requires a chip and an antenna, chip and antenna that made mobile devices from Asian manufacturers more expensive. About 8 years ago, price was the only motivation for users to buy these types of devices.
If they had to add a chip and an RF antenna, the price became more expensive and they were out of the market. The solution was create your own file sharing technology called Hotknot, a technology that worked by physically joining the screens of the terminals.
This technology was created by the screen manufacturer Goodix in 2013. The first processor manufacturer to implement it was MediaTek. It is not for belittling China, but they have never been characterized by standing out in the creation / invention of technologies, but by blatantly copying everything that is manufactured in the country.
Fortunately, that trend has changed in the last two years. The manufacturer of drones DJI, and mobile manufacturers such as Huawei or Vivo, are two clear examples that new technologies can be created without resorting to the easy: copying what already exists.
What is Hotknot for?
Hotknot technology, was born as the cheap substitute for NFC chips, a technology designed to share data between devices and that, practically, allows us to perform the same functions as bluetooth technology.
- Exchange of photos, videos and files.
- Make payment with mobile phones.
- Enable Bluetooth pairing, Wi-Fi connectivity, and other services.
- Share information from an application.
- Share contacts, web addresses, information in general.
Hotknot is like a vitamin version of bluetooth connectivity, for describing us in a way that is easily understood.
Differences and similarities between NFC vs Hotknot
While Hotknot technology only requires a specific type of screen In order to send and receive data, NFC technology requires a special chip and a radio frequency antenna. NFC technology requires an investment of money that Asian manufacturers cannot afford, since they would go beyond their set price target.
The speed of data transfer via Hotknot, It is much lower, but much lower than that offered by NFC technology. If we want to transmit a file with Hotknot, the data transfer speed will be 7 kpbs, while, if we use NFC technology, it far exceeds 100 mpbs.
To make payments, speed has little effectHowever, to send large files, this Asian technology quickly becomes a problem of time and comfort for the user, since both terminals have to be glued, screen to screen while it is being done.
Needing a capacitive touch screen, Hoknot technology cannot be used on any other device, such as quantifying bracelets, credit cards, labels ... something that is possible with NFC technology.
In addition, NFC technology uses very low power, allowing you to use Active and passive NFC tags that can run on zero energy, something impossible to replicate with Hotknot technology.
This Asian technology allows save space inside the terminalas it is included in the device screen. However, thanks to technological advances in recent years, and the elimination of the headphone jack, the space problem has been easily solved.
In theory, Hotknoc technology is more secure since it transfers data through physical contact, so the information does not circulate freely so that any friend from outside can intercept it.
However, we must bear in mind that NFC technology works in a radius of 2 cm and it is practically impossible, due to technical operating limitations, that the encrypted information that is transmitted can be collected by other devices.
Both technologies allow us to quickly exchange information between devices. However, the one that offers us greater comfort, security and data transmission speed in NFC. Hence, only the latter has won the battle and has prevailed today.
Is Hotknot still being used?
This technology never left China. Although it was used by a large number of Asian manufacturers between 2013 and 2014, never became an industry standard, as if it happened with NFC technology.
Little-known brand Asian terminals have continued to use this technology until relatively a few years ago, when you saw that, without the NFC chip to make payments, selling your mobile devices outside the country was an impossible mission.
Xiami, Oppo and Vivo are some examples of Asian manufacturers that, they have never bet on cheap technologyInstead, they have always sought to gain a foothold in the telephony industry, something they have achieved today and are currently rubbing shoulders with Apple and Samsung.
It is one thing to make cheap terminals to save costs and that do not become functional and another thing is to make cheap terminals, or a little more expensive, but that include all the basic needs that today's users may have.
How to know if my phone has Hotknot
If we consider that even Asian manufacturers have abandoned this technology years ago, nowadays it is impossible to find a terminal that offers Hotknot connectivity, instead of NFC.
Even the cheapest mobiles that arrive from China, they have had no choice but to include the NFC chip on their terminals, as it is one of the most important requirements for any user today.
If you have an Asian smartphone from a few years ago, this likely includes this technology, although you will not be able to take advantage of it unless you combine it with another terminal that also includes it.
Currently, no bank in the world offers support for this technology. You don't have to search.
