NXP Semiconductors said its NTAG I²C tags, which combine an NFC Forum Type 2 NFC tag with an IC contact serial interface, will allow more complex device interfaces between smartphones and consumer electronics, such as home appliances, wearable devices, and health and fitness monitors

Like standard NFC tags currently used in device pairing, the NTAG I²C tags can store Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection data in NDEF format, but the new tags also have a “pass-through mode,” which allows data to be exchanged in both directions between an NFC-capable handset and a tagged device such as an appliance.

Rival STMicroelectronics has also released a similar line of tags, which the company calls “Dynamic NFC/RFID Tags” and which use NFC Forum Type 4 tags with an I2C interface.