Towards Touching Interaction: A Simple Explicit Input

AmI proposes a new way of thinking about computers which follows the ideas of the Ubiquitous Computing vision of Mark Weiser. In these, there is what is known as a Disappearing Computer Initiative, with users immersed in intelligent environments. Hence, technologies need to be adapted so that they are capable of replacing the traditional inputs to the system by embedding these in every-day artifacts. In this work we present an approach which uses Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies. In the latter, a new form of interaction by contact appears. We compare both of these technologies, analyzing the requirements and the advantages of each. In addition, we propose to support activities using a combination of RFID & NFC.