Samsung Announces TecTiles - Programmable NFC Tags and Application

 

Probably one of the biggest complaints I hear related to NFC is just how slowly adoption and uptake of the technology is going. While NFC-enabled phones aren't really anything new, the challenge is now getting NFC tags out and into the hands of the masses, and making programming those tags simple. Today, Samsung is announcing a plan to do just that with Samsung TecTiles.


Samsung's TecTiles is a two-pronged approach. One part is the programming application which will work with a number of NFC-enabled Samsung phones to enable users to both program and read tiles, and enable a variety of shortcuts. The list of phones provided by Samsung USA is almost all of the NFC-enabled devices that have shipped recently:

Samsung NFC-Enabled Android Smartphones

·         Samsung Galaxy S III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon

·         Samsung Galaxy S II on T-Mobile

·         Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked

·         Nexus S 4G on Sprint

·         Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G on T-Mobile

The TecTiles application on Google Play enables a number of shortcuts to be programmed into the NFC tags. Samsung gave us a list of some of the programmable functions, a number of which go beyond the normal PIM data embeds that I've seen done before.

Settings & Applications

·         Change phone settings (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ringer/media volume, screen brightness, etc.)

·         Launch an application

·         Join a Wi-Fi Network

·         Show a message

 

Communication

·         Make a call

·         Send a text message

·         Start a Google Talk conversation

·         Share a contact or business card

 

Location & Web

·         Show an address on a map

·         Open a web page

·         Foursquare or Facebook check-in

 

Social

·         Automatic Facebook “Like”

·         Update Facebook status

·         Post a tweet or follow a contact on Twitter

·         Connect on LinkedIn

The other part is commercial availability of a 5-pack $14.99 set of programmable tiles, which will be available for purchase both online and in carrier stores from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. I've seen other programmable NFC tags, but thus far nothing in store or as readily available as what Samsung is making available today.  

The other part is commercial availability of a 5-pack $14.99 set of programmable tiles, which will be available for purchase both online and in carrier stores from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. I've seen other programmable NFC tags, but thus far nothing in store or as readily available as what Samsung is making available today.