Q:

App-less Communication with NFC

I have been thinking of the Physical Web and how to go App-less.  My question is that Does a smartphone or (an active NFC Reader) need an interface or app to send,receive and process data through Near Field Communication.  Are there any other available options? 
PS: Let me know if this question does not fit here, and where should I post it. 

A:

When an Android-powered device scans an NFC tag containing NDEF formatted data, it parses the message and tries to figure out the data's MIME type or identifying URI.  When the tag dispatch system is done creating an intent that encapsulates the NFC tag and its identifying information, it sends the intent to an interested application that filters for the intent.  If more than one application can handle the intent, the Activity Chooser is presented so the user can select the Activity. 
It there is no application that handle an intent - nothing will happen.  You need an application in your device to use NFC tags. 
Reference: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/nfc/nfc.html

