indeed NFC is more than payments. Near future: touch a smart life with NFC tech.

Here are some products that use NFC:

• Virtual press kits and business cards -- Various execs and companies used NFC as a fast way to share their contact information and press releases. All people meeting them had to do was tap their NFC-enabled phone to the item, typically a wristband or business card, to access the information. 

Information points such as posters -- Caesars Entertainment, owner of eight hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, installed more than 4,500 interactive Samsung TecTiles in its resorts. Anyone with an NFC-enabled device will be able to tap the various TecTiles for information such as game tutorials, show times, restaurant menus, and ticket purchases.

 
 

• Speakers -- NFC is typically used in these devices to pair a smartphone to a speaker. The music is not actually streamed to the system via NFC but is shared through Bluetooth. Samsung and Sony were two notable companies with NFC speakers.

• Headphones -- The function is much like wireless speakers. Users tap their phone to the headphones to allow pairing for the transfer of music. Sony also makes these.

• Boomboxes and other music players -- Sony, again.

• Cameras -- At least two cameras introduced at CES included NFC capabilities: The Panasonic Lumix ZS30 and the Panasonic Lumix TS5. Along with built-in Wi-Fi, the cameras should enable "the widest range of remote shooting options, remote viewing, and instant sharing on social networks."

• TVs -- LG and Sony were a couple big companies showing off NFC-enabled TVs at CES. Like with audio devices, NFC is used to pair a phone to the TV by tapping the two together.

• Remote controls -- In this instance, users tap their phones to their remote instead of their TV to pair the device to the television. Sony is one company doing this.

• Appliances -- LG showcased a slew of washers, dryers, ovens, refrigerators, and vacuums with NFC technology. After pairing the appliance with a phone, users can program their products from afar, such as turning on a washing machine while still in the office.

• Other weird kitchen items -- Panasonic's Asian operations have made an NFC-enabled rice cooker and a steam microwave oven. Users can search for recipes and program cooking instructions using their smartphones.

• Computers -- HP's SpectreOne all-in-one desktop PC, announced in September, incorporates NFC technology, which it calls HP TouchZone. Via a sensor built into the base of the unit, users can log into the SpectreOne or transfer files to it by simply swiping a smartphone or another device equipped with NFC. HP's Envy 14 Spectre ultrabook also includes NFC, as does Sony's Vaio Tap 20 mobile desktop PC.

• Smart meters for utility companies -- Landis+Gyr in late 2011 said it was working with NXP Semiconductor on energy management products with integrated NFC.

• Digital bubble gum machine -- Digital advertising agency Razorfish last July developed a high-tech prototype version of the gum ball machine that allows users to download digital content like apps and movies to their NFC-enabled phone for a small fee.

• Heart monitor -- Impak Health, a joint venture between Swedish chipmaker Cypak and U.S.-based Meridian Health, developed the RhythmTrak heart monitor. The product tracks certain heart-related data, which can then be downloaded or sent to a clinician by placing it next to an NFC-enabled phone.

• Wii U -- It's not really clear how NFC will be used in this Nintendo console, but it may allow users to do things like add new characters to games.

• Cars -- An NFC-enabled smartphone will be able to unlock Hyundai cars by 2015.