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No they can't. NFC isn't transmitting anything unless the screen is turned on and the phone is unlocked. You would also need to be in an app that's transmitting something at the time.

Sensationalist articles probably don't report on these parts though. ;)

Then what is the point of automating simple actions? Since the phone is already turn on might as well toggle bluetooth by yourself. I find it ironic that Android has dashboard that makes these tasks very easy to perform but Samsung keeps adding these gimmick Tectile feature that are not very practical. These stickers cost about $15 for four packs.
 
NFC was also hacked big time at the black hat convention. Hackers can walk by and steal everything for your phone. Would not have wanted to be in Vegas that week.

Funny thing I was haha. It was like the last week of July I believe

Nonetheless, NFC is very hackable.
 
That seems freaking cool as hell! I would love to have one of those NFC stickers on the nightstand by the bed so it auto mutes the phone at night,

Do not disturb mode in iOS 6 can accomplish this for you, and then some. You can set custom numbers that do sound while in the muted state.
 
My 3gs phone does this now without tapping. If I need a charge I plug in the charging cable.

NFC is a solution looking for a problem, not getting any traction anywhere. IMHO folks that have invested in the tech are throwing one marketing spin out there after another.

Those marketers looking to take sales away from apple like to spin the NFC thing, and thats about the only thing keeping NFC alive :).

Your 3GS turns bluetooth and wifi on and off and starts applications based on your location without you having to touch anything? Please explain.
 
Doesn't make much sense. I'm automatically connected to wifi whenever I get home and to Bluetooth whenever I get in the car. No NFC needed. Are Androids really that dumb?

Doubt you even read the article. You can do a lot with NFC
 
Then what is the point of automating simple actions? Since the phone is already turn on might as well toggle bluetooth by yourself. I find it ironic that Android has dashboard that makes these tasks very easy to perform but Samsung keeps adding these gimmick Tectile feature that are not very practical. These stickers cost about $15 for four packs.

If you were only changing Bluetooth, then it would be just as simple to use the toggle, you're right. What about when I want to enable Bluetooth, disable WiFi, turn my volume up to max, then open Spotify? Clearly a tag would simplify these tasks.

Yeah TecTiles are expensive. I buy generic NFC tags which are much cheaper (95p each if you buy 1-9, 65p each if you buy 10-99, 45p each if you buy 100-999, 36p each if you buy over 1,000).
 
My 3gs phone does this now without tapping. If I need a charge I plug in the charging cable.

NFC is a solution looking for a problem, not getting any traction anywhere. IMHO folks that have invested in the tech are throwing one marketing spin out there after another.

I can see Apple doing interesting things with NFC in terms of Apple store, iTunes payment system, and pairing with a wealth of devices and accessories, but with android it or really anyone it's not something that gets the juices flowing.
 
Yet you have no problem leaving NFC constantly on to drain the battery?

NFC uses very little battery for these reasons: -

1. It's not transmitting anything unless the screen is switched on and the phone is unlocked.
2. It only transmits over a distance of about 2cm.

I tried turning NFC off for a while and didn't notice ANY change in my battery life whatsoever.
 
Do not disturb mode in iOS 6 can accomplish this for you, and then some. You can set custom numbers that do sound while in the muted state.

And how do I activate it?

Unlock phone
Tap on Setting app
Tap on Do Not Distrube
Tap Home button to get me back to the regular screen

Wouldn't it be easier to just place the phone next to an NFC tag and have it do all those for me automatically?
 
And how do I activate it?

Unlock phone
Tap on Setting app
Tap on Do Not Distrube
Tap Home button to get me back to the regular screen

Wouldn't it be easier to just place the phone next to an NFC tag and have it do all those for me automatically?

Not to mention you could have the same tag do a bunch of other things at the same time.

NFC tags on Android also support "switches" - so I tap on it once (at bedtime) and it mutes my phone and disables auto-sync, I tap on it again (in the morning) and turns my volume up max and enables auto-sync.
 
Not to mention you could have the same tag do a bunch of other things at the same time.

NFC tags on Android also support "switches" - so I tap on it once (at bedtime) and it mutes my phone and disables auto-sync, I tap on it again (in the morning) and turns my volume up max and enables auto-sync.

I'm with you man, I think the idea is fantastic. Unfortunately, it's not reason enough to go to an Android phone but I hope Apple brings it on board sooner than later.
 
The same people on here who poo poo and dismiss NFC will be the same people touting how fantastic, magical and wonderful it is when Apple implements it.
 
And how do I activate it?

Unlock phone
Tap on Setting app
Tap on Do Not Distrube
Tap Home button to get me back to the regular screen

Wouldn't it be easier to just place the phone next to an NFC tag and have it do all those for me automatically?

I was simply saying DND can accomplish that for you, nothing more.
 
Couldn't someone just write an app to toggle many of these features based on geofencing similar to reminders?

Leave the house: turn wifi off, blue tooth on, launch Spotify, and turn volumes up.

Get to work: Silence all.

Etc.
 
I'm with you man, I think the idea is fantastic. Unfortunately, it's not reason enough to go to an Android phone but I hope Apple brings it on board sooner than later.

Even if they bring it on board there's no guarantee they'll support NFC tags :( There's a potential security risk (what if somebody rewrites your NFC tag?) that Apple will no doubt have an issue with.

Edit: never mind. They could store the profiles on the phone and only write a tag ID to the tag. That would solve any security issues.
 
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Wouldn't it be easier to just place the phone next to an NFC tag and have it do all those for me automatically?

I rather see a future with better battery management than a future where I have to constantly turn my wifi and bluetooth on and off via planted tags. Apple has the right priorities.
 
I rather see a future with better battery management than a future where I have to constantly turn my wifi and bluetooth on and off via planted tags. Apple has the right priorities.

It isn't about battery management, it's about automating tasks from several steps into a single tap.
 
Like 3G or LTE is a solution looking for a problem? What are you going to say when Apple implements NFC in the 5S? :rolleyes:

If they do I'll say great, because they will do it to offer a solution to a real problem. That's why I don't think they will.
 
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