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NFC...wow i want!

kdarling said:
Moreover, all that "hack" (not really) from the Black Hat conference does is allow a website to open. It's just a URL exchange.

So you'd have to have your phone turned on, unlocked AND not notice someone bump a gizmo against your phone, AND not notice that all of a sudden your browser opens to a page you've never seen before, with a "click me" download link on it, AND you click on it for some dumb reason AND then for another dumb reason, go find the downloaded file afterwards, AND click on AND agree to install it. Whew.
Click to expand...

I guess a potential problem would be if said webpage contained an exploit that allowed a virus to install without you going through the usual steps, or if it contained child porn or something.

Like I said though, just disable NFC whilst on the subway!

For the geeks of us, you could add a Tasker task to pop up a reminder to turn off NFC when you have no network connection. There doesn't appear to be a way to automatically disable NFC yet so this is the next best thing.

kdarling said:
Some people here have commented that non-techies, who could make the most use of NFC tags for repetitive tasks, would be the least likely to go through even the simple steps of setting them up.

I tend to agree. However, that does not negate their usefulness at all. If anything, it makes them ten times MORE useful.

It simply means that someone else has to set them up... no different from any other simple setup where users would ask someone else for help.

In the case of my my son-in-law, setting up the NFC tasks has been his job, but it afterwards made both his life and that of his wife's much easier.

Upshot: It doesn't matter who sets it up, as long as it brings joy to the end user, and is one less thing the main "support person" in a family has to do all the time. Instead of explaining again how to go into a certain mode at home or in the car, they can just set up a tag to do that task for the other users.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts. A lot of non-techies wouldn't set up half of the technologies supported in a lot of devices. For example, AirPlay, wireless routers, etc, but that doesn't make them any less useful. They just need somebody who's good with technology to give them a hand.
 
matttye said:
Exactly my thoughts. A lot of non-techies wouldn't set up half of the technologies supported in a lot of devices. For example, AirPlay, wireless routers, etc, but that doesn't make them any less useful. They just need somebody who's good with technology to give them a hand.
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What set up?
 
Geckotek said:
Your argument makes no sense to me. So you turn off your WiFi to avoid the auto pop-ups asking you to join new WiFi points? Why not just uncheck that "Ask to join networks" feature? It makes far more sense than turning your WiFi on and off. I only leave that feature on in the first few days of a new device. Then I disable it. Problem solved.

And if it's a WiFi spot that requires a web interface password, I usually just "forget" that network. Better than turning off my WiFi.

I keep my WiFi on 97% of the time with very few issues. I think the new feature that will jump to 3G/4G when WiFi isn't connecting will make it so I have even less reason to worry about it.
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Ok, you kinda have me there. I know there was a reason I didn't like having it on "don't ask" (and yes, I know of that option).

It was either:
1. It just doesn't connect to any wi-fi unless I tell it to so I always forget when I'm home.

or

2. I don't want it connecting to any random wi-fi (I suspect this was more like it) because there have been people known to fake wi-fi spots to gather any information you put over it. And I don't tend to check if I'm on wi-fi or 3G (I have unlimited so I just don't care as long as it doesn't bug me). On top of that, some wi fi that doesn't have passwords still won't let you get internet through them (You'll connect but anytime you try to use your phone to do something like check a webpage it just can't seem to find a connection) so I want it to stay on 3G.

Honestly, all apple would have to do is either give me a way to quickly turn on and off wi-fi and my problem would go away (and I'm not the only one with it cause i saw some one else echoing the same sentiments) or have it remember that I said no to those wi-fi connections already (at least have a timer on it so that it doesn't re ask in so many minutes for those connections).

(and actually, reason number two, about people using hotspots to get your info, and bluetooth as well, is why you shouldn't just leave your phone with wi-fi/bluetooth on all the time. I'm pretty sure that's why Apple put the ask function on there. They just really needed to put a little more thought into that function).
 
windows phone 8, along with some really exciting developers, are going to be bringing a lot of great stuff related to NFC in the near future
 
dccorona said:
windows phone 8, along with some really exciting developers, are going to be bringing a lot of great stuff related to NFC in the near future
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yes it will. Its already being done on android and I was using one app that went from being novel to being totally useful in a matter of months
 
tigress666 said:
Ok, you kinda have me there. I know there was a reason I didn't like having it on "don't ask" (and yes, I know of that option).

It was either:
1. It just doesn't connect to any wi-fi unless I tell it to so I always forget when I'm home.

or

2. I don't want it connecting to any random wi-fi (I suspect this was more like it) because there have been people known to fake wi-fi spots to gather any information you put over it. And I don't tend to check if I'm on wi-fi or 3G (I have unlimited so I just don't care as long as it doesn't bug me). On top of that, some wi fi that doesn't have passwords still won't let you get internet through them (You'll connect but anytime you try to use your phone to do something like check a webpage it just can't seem to find a connection) so I want it to stay on 3G.

Honestly, all apple would have to do is either give me a way to quickly turn on and off wi-fi and my problem would go away (and I'm not the only one with it cause i saw some one else echoing the same sentiments) or have it remember that I said no to those wi-fi connections already (at least have a timer on it so that it doesn't re ask in so many minutes for those connections).

(and actually, reason number two, about people using hotspots to get your info, and bluetooth as well, is why you shouldn't just leave your phone with wi-fi/bluetooth on all the time. I'm pretty sure that's why Apple put the ask function on there. They just really needed to put a little more thought into that function).
Click to expand...

Agreed, this is why I leave it on "don't ask" and only manually connect to WiFi sites I trust. I too have unlimited so it's no big deal.
 
tigress666 said:
Ok, you kinda have me there. I know there was a reason I didn't like having it on "don't ask" (and yes, I know of that option).

It was either:
1. It just doesn't connect to any wi-fi unless I tell it to so I always forget when I'm home.
.....
Click to expand...

Avoidable if you leave Wifi to on and Ask to join networks to off. It'll connect whenever you get home, regardless if you forget.
 
KPOM said:
Chances are when and if Apple implements NFC, they'll do it right and give us something more useful than just S-Beam and making payments at certain stores.

Don't underestimate the power of the retail and banking lobbies when it comes to mobile payments. The US has yet to implement chip-and-pin credit card systems, and has rather antiquated payment processing systems compared to the rest of the developed world. In China 0 checks are written, and it isn't much more in Europe. Two big reasons why NFC and "alternative" payment systems have yet to catch on are that the retailers and banks are resistant to the change.

----------



There are different forms of innovation. Henry Ford was an innovator, even though Daimler and Benz invented the car. Ford found a way to make it affordable.
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Couple of things here. First, you need to read up on what NFC can do. I am tired of the fanboys saying it's just S-Beam and making payments at certain stores. Statements like that really show how ignorant you are to the capabilities of NFC.

Like I said before, where I work there are NFC enabled door locks. Allows entry at some times and not others based on a programmed list. Also allows entry to some places and not others. Many other things are automated also. Like when the secretary scans in at the external door, it also unlocks her office door, turns on the lights and turns up the heat to a specified setting. When she scans out, it does the reverse. That's just one way it can be used.

NFC is based off the same tech that is in RFID and I use that all the time. Have for years. I use it every time I re-enter the USA from Canada (it's built into my drivers license), use it for payments, used to use it to get into my place of work till they switched to NFC. RFID I think is what you are calling the chip-and-pin credit card systems.

Just because YOU don't or can't use it doesn't mean it hasn't been implemented. I don't use 4G...that doesn't mean it doesn't exist in other places.

Last, your Ford comparison is pretty thin. Ford didn't innovate anything (at the time) regarding cars. Actually he was much like Apple. He told the customer what they wanted and they said OK. Remember the famous quote "You can have any color you want as long as it's black." The innovation was the assembly line which changed how far more than the car was built.

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squidkitten said:
I think the idea of NFC is pretty cool, but I'm definitely an iPhone kind of girl, and I wouldn't switch to Android to get it.
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That.

One would have to have a pretty heavy usage of the NFC to justify switching camps JUST for that. I know I wouldn't and I see the benefit of the technology.
 
I love using Google Wallet on my GNex or Nexus 7 to pay for cabs or at Duane Reade. Very fast and someone invariably says 'What the heck was that.'
Very cool.
 
MuddyPaws1 said:
Couple of things here. First, you need to read up on what NFC can do. I am tired of the fanboys saying it's just S-Beam and making payments at certain stores. Statements like that really show how ignorant you are to the capabilities of NFC.

Like I said before, where I work there are NFC enabled door locks. Allows entry at some times and not others based on a programmed list. Also allows entry to some places and not others. Many other things are automated also. Like when the secretary scans in at the external door, it also unlocks her office door, turns on the lights and turns up the heat to a specified setting. When she scans out, it does the reverse. That's just one way it can be used..
Click to expand...

I know it can be used for that. I also saw a CNet video about how to use NFC to change settings automatically when you are in a car or at your office (by buying tags and leaving them in key spots). I don't doubt that it has uses. However, I'm not convinced that it is a critical feature of a phone in 2012 or even 2013. RFID was invented primarily for inventory tracking purposes.

I do think eventually it will make its way into the iPhone, perhaps as early as the "5S." However, right now, I'm not going to make a phone buying decision on whether or not it comes with NFC.

----------
dccorona said:
windows phone 8, along with some really exciting developers, are going to be bringing a lot of great stuff related to NFC in the near future
Click to expand...

That assumes Windows Phone 8 will sell well. For all the fawning that tech blog writers have done over the Lumia 920, we have yet to see how it will actually sell in the US, or anywhere else. To date, Nokia's launch of Windows Phone has been a disaster. They went from the top in terms of volume to a distant third or 4th in less than 2 years. Yes, we know Symbian was fading away, but as soon as Elop wrote his "burning platform" memo, Nokia's sales fell off a cliff. In retrospect, they'd have been better off saying that they's go with Windows Phone for North America where they had little market share anyway. They could have gone global with it later.

Anyway, Windows Phone has gotten lots of positive press since WP7 came out, but it hasn't gained traction. The Lumia 920 looks nice, but it's nearly as large and is heavier than a Galaxy S3 with a smaller screen (albeit higher PPI than even the iPhone). If it were running Android 4.1 it would probably sell well and give the S3 a run for its money. But it's running WP8 and we don't know whether customers will go for an entirely new platform.
 
Jeez, can I just say I'm an Apple "fanboy" (stupid term) but I'd be happy to have NFC in a future iPhone. I'm not going to talk crap about NFC, but I'm also not devastated that it's not included in the ip5. One of the reasons I like Apple is (in my personal experience) the products they put out are well thought-out and they don't always rush to implement a feature. It seems to me that this is a case where they are allowing other companies to do their "market research" and NFC field testing before taking a risk on it. That's fine with me.
 
tdar said:
No, How about the person running the POS device? Do you know that most in store theft come from the employees. In US restaurants the number one source of payment fraud is the employees.
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Yes thieves steal from stores. As for restaurants. When they run you card they either add more tip or write your card# down. They won't have your PIN unless they have a device setup to capture your pin# at the POS when you input it.
 
NFC - Was one of the main things I was looking for in the iPhone5.
everyones first thought it payment however thats the furthest from my mind.

Using as a 2nd form auth or automating things.

People say they can steal your info. That's BS there is no reason to leave NFC on all the time. If you ask me you should press a button on the device. ie when a device is found close popup button slider on screen to activate.

Now if someone gets a while of your phone thats another story but serfice to say having a passcode on your phone should stop that.

As for battery. Just give an option to turn it off and your done.

I don't see a reason other then them not having room not to implement it.
I'm very upset thinking it will be another year for the possibility of this.
I will really be pissed if they do a 5s and add just this feature later on.
 
I leave my wifi on all day and while at work, I put the phone on airplane mode.( i work in the OR) til I get a lunch break. I did a jailbreak so I have SBSettings. however, this NFC sounds cool! I never knew that It could do all these things..just thought you could pay for stuff. but I honestly never read much about it. maybe once Apple figures out how to make this work better than what's out there and with iOS, it will be in the next iPhone. maybe even the 5S.
 
matttye said:
The majority of this thread has been dedicated to what you can do with NFC tags TODAY. I'm not going to repeat it all again .
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he heh, I read through all the thread and what you are talking about is a programming toy that allow you to trigger different set of commands and actions by tapping into different NFC tags.

But you seriously think an average smartphone user want to program their own NFC tags? First they have learn the concept of the NFC, figure out the format of all the command set allow, put together the command set, program the tag and then test the tag.. And you can get it all done in 20 seconds? give me a break. I am a programmer and has 20+ years of programming experience, a MSEE, a BSEE and a BScsi. If I have to do all these without knowing anything about NFC and start from scratch, it will take me at least a day to figure all these things out. Locating all the information and the right apps to format the tags and program the tag take at least a couple of hours. And smartphone users as a group are no where in this level of technical ability, nor do they care to learn this much.

A good NFC application is one that can help user solve their problem out of the box. Looks at it this way, Nexus S is the first phone that has NFC and was available in Dec 2010. About a year and 9 months now, why didn't I see more NFC application in the market today? I am just looking for some way to impress my wife if I get an NFC capable phone. What can I do out of the box with NFC? If there is none, then there is no reason to have it in my smartphone until there is such killer app exist..
 
It's stunning how many people simply don't want to give NFC a chance. Imagine, you walk in, touch your computer to your phone and it syncs. You leave, tap your door on the way out to lock it. Then, you get on the bus, tap on, ride, tap off. You need some milk so you go to the store, get to the counter, tap to pay and leave. Then you run into your friend, he owes you $20 from the other day, tap phones and the debt is paid. Back on the bus, tap, tap. Home again, tap the door to unlock it. Want to listen to music, tap your phone to the stereo, your paused music begins to stream.

It has masses of practical applications to simply make life easier. Yes, it would need security measures in place, but those would be there by the time it is mainstream. It's also something you can ignore if you choose to not use it. How can people seriously be against this being included in phones. Do people really just not want new features?
 
xofruitcake said:
he heh, I read through all the thread and what you are talking about is a programming toy that allow you to trigger different set of commands and actions by tapping into different NFC tags.

But you seriously think an average smartphone user want to program their own NFC tags? First they have learn the concept of the NFC, figure out the format of all the command set allow, put together the command set, program the tag and then test the tag.. And you can get it all done in 20 seconds? give me a break. I am a programmer and has 20+ years of programming experience, a MSEE, a BSEE and a BScsi. If I have to do all these without knowing anything about NFC and start from scratch, it will take me at least a day to figure all these things out. Locating all the information and the right apps to format the tags and program the tag take at least a couple of hours. And smartphone users as a group are no where in this level of technical ability, nor do they care to learn this much.

A good NFC application is one that can help user solve their problem out of the box. Looks at it this way, Nexus S is the first phone that has NFC and was available in Dec 2010. About a year and 9 months now, why didn't I see more NFC application in the market today? I am just looking for some way to impress my wife if I get an NFC capable phone. What can I do out of the box with NFC? If there is none, then there is no reason to have it in my smartphone until there is such killer app exist..
Click to expand...

I have about ten years experience with a scripting language for an IRC client and dabbling in a few programming languages.

I would not describe formatting an NFC tag as "programming" at all. Using the NFC Task Launcher app for Android, you literally just select from a list of commands (eg: ringer volume 0, notification volume 7, disable wifi, enable auto-sync). You dont have to type any commands yourself.

I saw an article about what you could do with NFC tags, ordered some, and as soon as they arrived I was setting up tags within minutes. It's incredibly simple. There's something wrong if it takes you a day to work out how to use NFC tags.

Perhaps if you look at the screenshots of NFC Task Launcher you'll see how simple it is:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jwsoft.nfcactionlauncher&hl=en
 
so now I have to go touch my phone on a sticker somewhere to get the volume down? C'mon. this is retarded.
 
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