NFC...wow i want!

[r.j.s]

so now I have to go touch my phone on a sticker somewhere to get the volume down? C'mon. this is retarded.

That's not at all what the story/thread said ...

NFC tags are a way to automate multi-step tasks into a single tap of a sticker.

You don't have to use them for anything, if you don't want to. Please read the story or thread before dismissing something as retarded - especially when that dismissal is based on a complete lack of understanding.

 

[smiddlehurst]

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?

The thing is though as funky as some of that would be (I'll get to the other bit in a minute) I don't want to tap to do it. I want my phone to be location aware to the point that I come in and it automatically syncs to my computer (well, iTunes will sorta do that now with wi-fi anyway). I want to lock the door once I'm a couple of feet away from it like keyless systems on cars work. I already have an Oyster card for travel and FAR prefer slapping it down on a sensor in a ridiculously busy underground station than a £700 mobile device that's easy to grab from someone's hand and easier to sell on.

And that's my main problem with NFC - payment. I'm sorry, I really am, but the idea of a wallet that can run out of power is laughable to me. Of all the things that I do not want to be battery powered my payment method is right at the top of the list. Sure you can carry a wallet too... but if you're going to do that why have your phone able to do it in the first place? I can just see hordes of stranded drunks at train stations the length and breadth of the UK who have had a wild night out, no battery left in their phone and no way to pay for the taxi home...

Again, NFC in the right places (say, in a travelcard or bankcard), yeah, no problem at all. But it just feels so damn clunky in a smartphone that has access to WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and any other communication standard you care to name (or that comes along in the future). Leave NFC in dumb devices and find something better for the smart ones.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

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?

Apple will find a way to accomplish that without the use of silly tags or keychains, whether it's through NFC or some other means.

 

[MatthewStorm]

Apple will find a way to accomplish that without the use of silly tags or keychains, whether it's through NFC or some other means.

So, you call a tag 'silly' because you don't understand the potential for the new technology or because Apple 'didn't' invent it?

That's ignorant and immature.

 

[matttye]

Apple will find a way to accomplish that without the use of silly tags or keychains, whether it's through NFC or some other means.

None of what boss.king said would require tags; the stereo, bus, door, etc, would all have NFC built in.

Tags are for turning things that aren't capable of NFC into NFC capable areas. For example, the wall next to my bed isn't NFC capable, but I thought it would be useful to be able to tap my phone to the wall to get it ready for bed. I therefore stuck a tag on the wall. The benefits of this are (a) I'm reminded to do this by the presence of the tag, (b) there's no widget/shortcut taking up space on my home screen and (c) other people can use it.

Phones, CD players, buses, payment systems etc would already have NFC built in.

You're still showing a lack of understanding in this topic.

 

[bogatyr]

Are iPhone users really that dumb to leave wifi and Bluetooth constantly on?

Well considering I can leave both on and get all day high usage out of my phone, yeah I guess I am that dumb.

Phone hops on WiFi at work and at home automatically. Phone connects to my car bluetooth system automatically. No dinking around required and I only charge when I pop it onto my bedside dock. Seemed like a pretty good system to me but I guess it's just stupid. What do I know?

 

[xofruitcake]

So, you call a tag 'silly' because you don't understand the potential for the new technology or because Apple 'didn't' invent it?

That's ignorant and immature.

In my book, Tag idea is silly only because we expect the end user to write it. If someone develop a product that make use of the tag idea and create a must have app. I will buy an NFC capable in a jiffy. NFC has been out almost 2 years now, can you show us what is the killer app that show off NFC power yet????

Calling other people ignorant and immature because you argument is weak is a sign that you should look at the mirror to see if the description apply to yourselves

 

[matttye]

In my book, Tag idea is silly only because we expect the end user to write it. If someone develop a product that make use of the tag idea and create a must have app. I will buy an NFC capable in a jiffy. NFC has been out almost 2 years now, can you show us what is the killer app that show off NFC power yet????

Calling other people ignorant and immature because you argument is weak is a sign that you should look at the mirror to see if the description apply to yourselves

NFC is a short-range communication technology not all that different to Bluetooth, but it uses a lot less power and transmits over a much smaller distance.

With that in mind, the capabilities are only limited by hardware manufacturers and app developers.

You could have an interactive movie poster that loads up reviews, previews etc when you hold your phone up to it. You could use it to open your house (instead of a key). You could use it to transfer files between devices. You can use it to pair with other devices like phones, TVs, tablets, PCs, etc.

One idea that somebody brainstormed is that you could simply touch your phone onto your TV's remote control to have whatever you're watching on your phone beamed to your TV (or by touching it to the TV itself).

You can obviously use it for payments.

They're so cheap to manufacturer that people could stick them anywhere to enable people to get more information. For example, an estate agent could make "for sale" signs NFC-capable so that you can hold your phone up to a sign to get more information about it.

Tourist attractions could have NFC stickers/posters that automatically check you in on Facebook/Foursquare/etc.

The beauty of NFC is that the little tags don't require any kind of power, so they can be used everywhere without needing a battery.

I could go on and on, but there really isn't any limit to what they could be used for.

 

[xofruitcake]

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

There is a big difference between design a product vs developing a product. The customer you are looking at is a average no technical background user that has no idea of what NFC is. So let's say you convince a friend who has no science and computer background that it is a good thing to do. Step through the steps that HE has to go through to even understand what NFC is? Then start to figure out the tools to do job, reading other's instruction and experience, go order the NFC tag etc. etc. You have done your research and did it a few time and understand the concept of script and macro and store a program, so this task is easy for you. Average user don't have any idea of what those mean and has to learn it from scratch. Just think about the first time you write your first program and you will understand the task facing an average smartphone user to develop their own NFC tag.

In order for NFC to be popular (and I think it has a lot of potential). Someone has to develop an application in such a way that it is as simple as launching an app. My original post was that if a manufacturer like Samsung and Apple want to sell me NFC as the killer feature, they better be able to show me what I can do out of the box with their phone. So far I can not find any NFC application that is a must have. If I were in Japan, I probably will think differently since I can use the NFC feature everyday. But I see nothing in US that will tell me I better have a NFC capable phone, otherwise my life will be impacted.

And that go to a lot of features in smartphone today. The real test of new feature is how many time a day the user will be affected by those new feature.

 

[alent1234]

NFC, couldn't care less. No where to use it and I hate McDonald's

 

[r.j.s]

There is a big difference between design a product vs developing a product. The customer you are looking at is a average no technical background user that has no idea of what NFC is. So let's say you convince a friend who has no science and computer background that it is a good thing to do. Step through the steps that HE has to go through to even understand what NFC is? Then start to figure out the tools to do job, reading other's instruction and experience, go order the NFC tag etc. etc. You have done your research and did it a few time and understand the concept of script and macro and store a program, so this task is easy for you. Average user don't have any idea of what those mean and has to learn it from scratch. Just think about the first time you write your first program and you will understand the task facing an average smartphone user to develop their own NFC tag.

Research? Programming? Did you look at what goes into "programming" a NFC tag?

1. You download an app to your phone
2. Tell the app what actions you'd like done by clicking on them in the app
3. Save to tag

What does that have to do with scripting, macros, and writing your first program?

 

[pear21]

My issue with NFC is i would be worried about people stealing my info without me even knowing, also you would always have to rely on your phone which could be dead at the end of the night when you are trying to use NFC to get into your house

 

[boss.king]

The thing is though as funky as some of that would be (I'll get to the other bit in a minute) I don't want to tap to do it. I want my phone to be location aware to the point that I come in and it automatically syncs to my computer (well, iTunes will sorta do that now with wi-fi anyway). I want to lock the door once I'm a couple of feet away from it like keyless systems on cars work. I already have an Oyster card for travel and FAR prefer slapping it down on a sensor in a ridiculously busy underground station than a £700 mobile device that's easy to grab from someone's hand and easier to sell on.

And that's my main problem with NFC - payment. I'm sorry, I really am, but the idea of a wallet that can run out of power is laughable to me. Of all the things that I do not want to be battery powered my payment method is right at the top of the list. Sure you can carry a wallet too... but if you're going to do that why have your phone able to do it in the first place? I can just see hordes of stranded drunks at train stations the length and breadth of the UK who have had a wild night out, no battery left in their phone and no way to pay for the taxi home...

Again, NFC in the right places (say, in a travelcard or bankcard), yeah, no problem at all. But it just feels so damn clunky in a smartphone that has access to WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and any other communication standard you care to name (or that comes along in the future). Leave NFC in dumb devices and find something better for the smart ones.

But payments is only one of the many things it can do. As for location aware features, those are massively power hungry, and would leave you without power much faster. Also, you don't have to use it for everything. If you are afraid to use it on the bus, by all means keep using your oyster card. Again, its not a feature that would be forced on people. Its one that would help some, and have no effect on others. It doesn't have to replace your wallet or your keys, but for some it could for some.

 

[matttye]

Research? Programming? Did you look at what goes into "programming" a NFC tag?

1. You download an app to your phone
2. Tell the app what actions you'd like done by clicking on them in the app
3. Save to tag

What does that have to do with scripting, macros, and writing your first program?

Thank you!

I consider myself an advanced user, but having had no prior experience with NFC when I first got my phone, it took me literally 30 seconds to learn how to use the app. I saw a video where somebody demonstrated how to use it. It's really easy.

As long as you ask yourself before starting, "What do I want this tag to do? Do I want it to do the same thing every time it's used or do I want it to alternate between two things (i.e. bed time / wake up)?", you will not have any problems.

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My issue with NFC is i would be worried about people stealing my info without me even knowing, also you would always have to rely on your phone which could be dead at the end of the night when you are trying to use NFC to get into your house

NFC only transmits data when the screen is turned on and the phone is unlocked. You would almost be guaranteed to know if somebody put their device close enough to yours to be able to steal data while your phone is unlocked and turned on (which would indicate you were using it).

NFC door locks usually work with old fashioned keys too as a backup

 

[bigsexyy81]

Are iPhone users really that dumb to leave wifi and Bluetooth constantly on?

I get a full day's worth of use on my 4S with those turned on all day. I don't have to worry about turning that stuff off now like I did with the Thunderbolt or S3.

 

[boss.king]

NFC door locks usually work with old fashioned keys too as a backup

This. For every NFC application, there is still the traditional method available. NFC offers the option for convenience, it doesn't force you to use it for anything.

 

[smiddlehurst]

But payments is only one of the many things it can do. As for location aware features, those are massively power hungry, and would leave you without power much faster. Also, you don't have to use it for everything. If you are afraid to use it on the bus, by all means keep using your oyster card. Again, its not a feature that would be forced on people. Its one that would help some, and have no effect on others. It doesn't have to replace your wallet or your keys, but for some it could for some.

Yes, I'm aware it can do many, many things and can be a great geek plaything. I really do get that and why some would want it. I just think right now it feels like the same sort of kludgy hack as QR codes (which, btw, work better in some of the examples listed here like cinema posters or estate agent signs as you don't have to let the user get right up to them to tap) and there's a better alternative. Sure location aware stuff will take more battery power than NFC but, depending on how they're implemented, it doesn't have to be much more at all. Hell how many smartphones are in use right now that always have Bluetooth and/or WiFi turned on all the time anyway? We already have geofencing available (albeit in a fairly basic form) and with mobile data networks we have a connection to any internet-enabled device in our homes.

Chuck in the other problems NFC currently has (most notably the response time issue that's stopping it rolling out on the TfL network here in the UK as a supplement to Oyster) and it just feels far too early. I have a horrible feeling that, once/if NFC takes off, there's going to be an initial period of early optimism followed by the realities of the situation taking over with a major security scare just a few months later (and by that I don't necessarily mean a flaw in NFC itself, more likely a slew of stories like I outlined in my first post). My own opinion, and that is ultimately all it is, is that there's a better way to do this sort of stuff that'll be far more suited to the mass market than putting NFC tags in everything and rely on physically tapping your phone in order to make that connection.

 

[pear21]

Thank you!

I consider myself an advanced user, but having had no prior experience with NFC when I first got my phone, it took me literally 30 seconds to learn how to use the app. I saw a video where somebody demonstrated how to use it. It's really easy.

As long as you ask yourself before starting, "What do I want this tag to do? Do I want it to do the same thing every time it's used or do I want it to alternate between two things (i.e. bed time / wake up)?", you will not have any problems.

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NFC only transmits data when the screen is turned on and the phone is unlocked. You would almost be guaranteed to know if somebody put their device close enough to yours to be able to steal data while your phone is unlocked and turned on (which would indicate you were using it).

NFC door locks usually work with old fashioned keys too as a backup

Yeah but the whole reason by having it is to not use a key so why would I carry one when I wouldn't use it

 

[roland.g]

It's a great idea!!!!..........up until the point that I gotta put a bunch of mini stickers everywhere. Any the Samsung stickers I've seen are even worse looking. Thanks but I don't need those things on my desk, counters, car, nightstand, etc.

 

[matttye]

Yeah but the whole reason by having it is to not use a key so why would I carry one when I wouldn't use it

If you're going to do home automation, you might as well do it properly and have it so that unlocking your door via NFC triggers some other event.

Somebody mentioned earlier that in the office he works in, he opens the door using NFC and that in turn turns the heating and lights on, as well as unlocking another door.

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It's a great idea!!!!..........up until the point that I gotta put a bunch of mini stickers everywhere. Any the Samsung stickers I've seen are even worse looking. Thanks but I don't need those things on my desk, counters, car, nightstand, etc.

You can get different designs, or you can put them behind pictures in picture frames, or disguise them in some other way.

 

[iregret]

Now you have it. Locked down for apple payments only though.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Now you have it. Locked down for apple payments only though.

Did apple say you couldn't use Google payments via some bar code or something? I've been using Starbucks app since forever.

 

[AdamA9]

It would be cool if we could use this.

I would want to use my iPhone activated lights to turn on when I get into my apartment by putting my phone down in its usual place and put on my coming home jazz music or something.

Shame I doubt we can do this though.

 

[Geckotek]

Now you have it. Locked down for apple payments only though.

So the NFC in our iPhones will only be used for Apple Pay and cannot be used for all those other things I (almost never) see it used for?

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It would be cool if we could use this.

I would want to use my iPhone activated lights to turn on when I get into my apartment by putting my phone down in its usual place and put on my coming home jazz music or something.

Shame I doubt we can do this though.

Get SmartThings and it'll do it based on your GPS location. And so much more.

 

[iregret]

It would be cool if we could use this.

I would want to use my iPhone activated lights to turn on when I get into my apartment by putting my phone down in its usual place and put on my coming home jazz music or something.

Shame I doubt we can do this though.

I'm pretty sure this type of stuff is what home kit is all about. "Hey Siri, I'm going to bed" turns all the lights off, locks doors, etc.