Near Field Communications(NFC) has been one of those technologies that hasnt quite caught on in the US. Google has tried its best to make the tech mainstream via payments (Google Wallet) and Android Beam but it hasnt quite taken off. It is almost as if the entire industry is waiting for Apple to show the way on this matter. But that doesnt deter you, the Android and Windows Phone 8 user from making the most of this nifty NFC technology. This is a short post (almost a collection of resources) on how to use inexpensive NFC tags to make life easier.NFC and NFC TagsFor starters- what is NFC?. NFC is a very short range communication technology. It can be used to do a lot of things ranging from exchanging contact information between devices to enabling a bunch of things on your phone. NFC Tags are very thin NFC enabled tags (as thin as 3-4 sheets of paper on top of each other) that can be programmed to then issue a set of instructions to the device with which it is in communication. NFC tags
are cheapand pretty easy to get. There are branded versions like Samsung TecTiles
and non-branded OEM versions. You can get them as cheap as 50c-$1 each.Programming the TagsProgramming the NFC tags is pretty simple. You download one of the many free applications on the Google Play Store that can manage/write NFC Tags and profiles. Select everything you want to do when your device comes in contact with the tag. This could range from enabling radios (Wifi/BT), setting your device on airplane mode, specific ringtones, call forwarding, vibrate on, to sending a text message or email, Foursquare checkin, Facebook update, etc. It is pretty powerful. And you can do multiple tasks per tag.Once the entire task list is configured, place the device on top of the tag. This will program the tag and it is ready to be used. Typically tags are stickers that can be programmed and stuck. You can stick one in your car or keychain, one on your office desk, one at home- the options are endless. And each tag can have its own unique profile that can be managed via the Android App.Use CasesThere are a ton of use cases and I am sure you are already thinking of some as you read the previous section. You can have a specific profile at work like a simple ringtone or vibrate on, bluetooth off, Wifi on, and maybe send a message to your spouse that you arrived at work safely. As soon as you sit in the car and place the phone on the sticker, your handsfree mode can be turned on, the music app opened and start playing a specific playlist, turn Wifi off, etc. You get the idea. The possibilities are endless based on how you want to manage and control them.Who supports it?Most new Android phones with version 4.0 (ICS) or better support it. I have a HTC One X and use NFC Tags everywhere. The popular Samsung Galaxy S3 not only supports it but has an Android app and a Samsung branded NFC tag product (TecTiles). Sony phones also support NFC and Sony also sells a NFC tag product (Xperia Smart Tags). Recent Google Nexus devices - Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 support NFC tags. Note that Samsung's NFC tags work with all Android devices that support NFC. The branded NFC tags are just an added product that they sell.Windows Phone 8 OS also supports NFC and the Lumia 920 and HTC 8X support the feature. There are also apps in the Windows Phone 8 store that can be used to program NFC tags.Final NoteAs I said earlier, I extensively use NFC tags with my One X and love it. For the cost of a lunch, much of my phone interactions have been automated. All it takes is a free app on your device and a $2 tag which can then be stuck to your desk.And no, iOS does not support NFC.
