NFC

[ShaneBunting]

So as a recently migrated iPhone user.. I'd like to know the big deal about NFC.

What's so good about it that it beats sending over Wifi?

Plus, how does it work?

I've got no clue on it, but if the N4 has it, I feel I should try it

 

[RumoredNow]

There are several advantages... and some disadvantages.

Cons:

• Phones must touch for transfer
• There is NFC and "skinned" proprietary systems like S-Beam from Samsung and they may not always play nice
• Certain NFC Tags only work with certain devices - NFC Phones and NFC Tablets - NFC - GoToTags NFC Software Documentation

Pros:

• If you want, you can set up a card in Google Wallet and pay at certain POS (Point of Sale) terminals by tapping your phone
• NFC is more secure than RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology and more active - it transmits and receives
• It can control a simplified and automatic enable of more complex communication protocols - such as the phone to phone tap auto-pairing BlueTooth to accomplish the file transfer
• NFC Tags can be programmed for various functions to streamline enacting regular, complex behaviors. Set up a Tag once and perform the same task over and over. I.E.:
  • Tap the Tag inside your doorway at home to turn on WiFi and connect to the home network when you enter - tap again when leaving to turn WiFi off and reconnect to mobile data.
  • Tap the Tag on your laptop and turn on Android Hotspot.
  • Tap the tag in your car to turn on BlueTooth, open your music player and begin streaming to your in-car radio. Set your phone in the car mount and the Tag there opens up your navigation App...

The main advantages lie outside file sharing and open up the flexibility of the system. File sharing is the public perception of NFC functionality, but that is just scratching the surface.

Near field communication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Thanks for asking the question. It reminds me I need to get off my @55 and actually DO something with my NFC.

 

[Greg C]

Geek 101: How to use NFC | Mobile | Geek.com

Best Android NFC Apps - NearFieldCommunication.org

 

[RumoredNow]

Just ordered 10 of the Type II (NTAG) Stickers from here... NFC tags, labels, and stickers store

Seems to be a good price having scoured the web a bit.

I'll have to let you know what I've done with some of them.

 

[RumoredNow]

Tags are in...

Installing a read/write program to the N4. Going with NFC TagWriter by NXP and NFC Task Launcher by TagStand + NFC Writer by TagStand.

Already have my first Tag done... It now is stuck to the GF's laptop and toggles the Android HotSpot or WiFi Tether on/off with a tap. Works with her Galaxy S2 and my N4.

 

[CoMoNexus]

NFC: not for consumers. For most people, it's a solution to non-problems.

 

[mr_nobody]

NFC: not for consumers. For most people, it's a solution to non-problems.

I disagree. It's a real timesaver for location based automation tasks.

 

[CoMoNexus]

It's a real timesaver for location based automation tasks.

Do you mean such as these?

Tap the Tag inside your doorway at home to turn on WiFi and connect to the home network when you enter - tap again when leaving to turn WiFi off and reconnect to mobile data.
Tap the Tag on your laptop and turn on Android Hotspot.
Tap the tag in your car to turn on BlueTooth, open your music player and begin streaming to your in-car radio. Set your phone in the car mount and the Tag there opens up your navigation

If so, that doesn't sound like much of a timesaver versus hitting a button or two -- or even doing nothing, as in the case the first example because my N4 already automatically connects to my home WLAN when I arrive. And even then, the average person has to be willing and able to configure those processes, not to mention aware that NFC even exists and what it can do. Most people can't even program their home's thermostat. I've never programmed mine because it's easier to remember to adjust it when I go to bed or get up. If my life gets so complicated that I don't have the time to do or remember to do such simple things, then it's time to simplify my life rather than buying more stuff to deal with. To each his or her own.

 

[mr_nobody]

Yeah, specifically the last example. My in-car/leave-car tag also enables/disables my phone's lockscreen. Obviously the more things you need to happen, the more time a tag will save. If you only have it doing one thing, it will not save you much time.

 

[RumoredNow]

NFC: not for consumers. For most people, it's a solution to non-problems.

I disagree. It's a real timesaver for location based automation tasks.

...that doesn't sound like much of a timesaver versus hitting a button or two -- or even doing nothing, as in the case the first example because my N4 already automatically connects to my home WLAN when I arrive. And even then, the average person has to be willing and able to configure those processes, not to mention aware that NFC even exists and what it can do. Most people can't even program their home's thermostat. I've never programmed mine because it's easier to remember to adjust it when I go to bed or get up. If my life gets so complicated that I don't have the time to do or remember to do such simple things, then it's time to simplify my life rather than buying more stuff to deal with. To each his or her own.

I'm not sure how many leave their WiFi turned on all the time, as you would have to for your phone to autoconnect when you get home. I for one rarely use the WiFi on my phone as I pay for unlimited data. But there are those who use WiFi a lot to save on data charges. Some of those save battery as well to get through a busy day. Keeping the WiFi from searching saves battery at the cost of constantly turning WiFi off/on as situations warrant. Those users are repeating a task many times over each week and can benefit from automating it when able. I used it as a popular example for the OP's sake, not as a task I'll be implementing.

Also note the first Tag I wrote was for the GF. She uses her Hotspot to power her laptop quite often. I don't... Was it wrong of me to make her life a bit simpler? She was pretty appreciative of the result.

Yeah, specifically the last example. My in-car/leave-car tag also enables/disables my phone's lockscreen. Obviously the more things you need to happen, the more time a tag will save. If you only have it doing one thing, it will not save you much time.

LOL controversy.

I paid for NFC so I'm going to use it. It's not so much about saving time as exploring the device capabilities.

It's fun, interesting and cool. It doesn't hurt anyone. O

Most people don' know what NFC is capable of so CoMoNexus has a point, but it's a point that goes toward exploring the options - not ignoring them!!!

 

[CoMoNexus]

I'm not sure how many leave their WiFi turned on all the time.

Sprint Connections Optimizer is an example of how more and more carriers are configuring their phones so they're always looking for a Wi-Fi signal. I don't know how many people disable such features, or who leave Wi-Fi turned on by choices, but it must be quite a few, judging by polls such as [Poll] WiFi Status – Do You Leave It Always On? | Android and Me and the amount of retailers (e.g., Sam's Club) that keep adding hotspots.

 

[RumoredNow]

Some links:

15 Creative And Useful Ways To Use NFC Tags With Your Phone - The Tech and Digital Marketing Blog

NFC Stands For Nobody F****** Cares And Apple Gets That | TechCrunch (The comments are the best part of this "article.")

15 non-payment uses for NFC | TechHive

How to Automate Your Phone for Every Room in the House with NFC Tags

 

[RumoredNow]

Next project... Proselytizing for a union in the workplace. A social experiment with real life implications.

I've prepared a Tag with the URL of an appropriate union. I'll find a surreptitious location for the tag in a non work area and see if we can get some buzz going. I may have to plant more than one...