Final answer:
NFC stands for Near Field Communication, a protocol for short-range wireless connectivity typically used for contactless payment systems, smartcards, and device setups.
Step-by-step explanation:
NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It is a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices, one of which is usually a portable device such as a smartphone, to establish communication by bringing them within 4 cm (1.6 inches) of each other. NFC technology is used for various purposes such as contactless payments, electronic ticket smartcards, and simplified setup of more complex communications such as Wi-Fi. Communication is also possible between an NFC device and an unpowered NFC chip, called a "tag".
Android-powered devices with NFC simultaneously support three main modes of operation:
Reader/writer mode, allowing the NFC device to read and write passive NFC tags and stickers.
P2P mode, allows the NFC device to exchange data with other NFC peers; this operation mode is used by Android Beam.
Card emulation mode, allows the NFC device itself to act as an NFC card. The emulated NFC card can then be accessed by an external NFC reader, such as an NFC point-of-sale terminal.