NFC Tags

elderlemon

First off you don't program tags. Instead you get your phone to read the tag id, which is fixed, and respond to the tag in a predetermined way.

There are apps in the market that will do this for you

nedd wrote: »

OK, so some tags have arrived and before I start i have a question for people who have used them.

Firstly can i re-write a tag?

Secondly i want to do the following:
Swipe Tag: Turn On Wifi, Turn Phone to Silent.
Swipe the Same Tag: Turn Off Wifi, turn phone off silent.

can I do this with one tag or do i need two tags? One for when i get into work, and one for when i leave work?

Chet T16

It depends what app you're using. NFC task launcher writes to the tag to tell it what to do whereas the tasker plugins read the serial number of the tag and set the action based on that - no writing needed.

Its easier to set up a switch condition with NFC task launcher

elderlemon

I learn something new every day. Thanks

nedd

elderlemon wrote: »

First off you don't program tags. Instead you get your phone to read the tag id, which is fixed, and respond to the tag in a predetermined way.

There are apps in the market that will do this for you

I'm using NFC Task Launcher so it does program the tag. there is 35bytes of data available to be written.

listermint

elderlemon wrote: »

First off you don't program tags. Instead you get your phone to read the tag id, which is fixed, and respond to the tag in a predetermined way.

There are apps in the market that will do this for you

Well by program, i think he means write so in effect you are programming a response into the tag.

So he is correct.

listermint

mickoneill30 wrote: »

This app (NFC Task Launcher) has this in their description.

"Because the commands are written to the tag there is no service to sign up for and they work on *any* device with the app installed."

Yes, you program the tag with your phone, and anyone with an NFC phone and an NFC app enabled can read them. Its fairly simple

PrzemoF

elderlemon wrote: »

First off you don't program tags. Instead you get your phone to read the tag id, which is fixed, and respond to the tag in a predetermined way.

There are apps in the market that will do this for you

http://kimtag.com/s/nfc_tags

I never had a chance to do it, but looks like some info can be stored on a tag. Can someone with hands-on experience clarify that?

mik_da_man

PrzemoF wrote: »

elderlemon wrote: »

First off you don't program tags. Instead you get your phone to read the tag id, which is fixed, and respond to the tag in a predetermined way.

There are apps in the market that will do this for you

http://kimtag.com/s/nfc_tags

I never had a chance to do it, but looks like some info can be stored on a tag. Can someone with hands-on experience clarify that?

Well surely as the tags are advertised as having memory means they store the commands?
That was my understanding anyway...

nedd

OK, so i am using the tags right now. Like I mentioned there is memory on the tag that can be written to. Each command is only small so you can fit a good few on it.

You can re-write the tags.

Set up Tasks on the app as follows:
Task Arrive in work:
turn on wifi / Turn phone to vibrate

Task Leave Work:
Turn off wifi / turn phone to normal volume / open Music app.

create a new Switch tag that when scanned will run the first task, when scanned again will run the second task.

brilliant so far.

god's toy

if they work as well as the 'Touch to Share' on the GS3, NFC tags will be on my shopping list fir sure .

I can think of about ten places I could stick em for automated changes.

SkySter

nedd wrote: »

OK, so i am using the tags right now. Like I mentioned there is memory on the tag that can be written to. Each command is only small so you can fit a good few on it.

You can re-write the tags.

Set up Tasks on the app as follows:
Task Arrive in work:
turn on wifi / Turn phone to vibrate

Task Leave Work:
Turn off wifi / turn phone to normal volume / open Music app.

create a new Switch tag that when scanned will run the first task, when scanned again will run the second task.

brilliant so far.

One thing you're going to find frustrating is that the NFC service is disabled when the screen is locked, so tags won't read unless the screen is on. This is an ICS security "feature". I've seen a few posts on XDA forums where people are trying to enable it, but so far seems quite difficult to do.

The reason for that is nfc is on its way to becoming an alternative way to pay for things. Security is needed otherwise anyone could come along and "skim" you're phone to take money or of your account. That's a very basic summary. Google it if you want a more indepth explanation

errlloyd

IS NFC the same tech used in Dublin bus rambler tickets btw?

I am just curious?

ED E

errlloyd wrote: »

IS NFC the same tech used in Dublin bus rambler tickets btw?

I am just curious?

Scan one and see. Its possible the readers are dual, but its likely they're both 13.56.

Glowing

Sorry I already asked this in the HTC One forum ...

Has anyone managed to use the tags to switch off the phone security? As in I don't want to have to put in my pin/face unlock when I'm at home so it'd be great to disable it!

Thanks

elderlemon

I think that was a restriction brought in with Android 4. It won't allow you to unlock the phone via an app.

Glowing wrote: »

Sorry I already asked this in the HTC One forum ...

Has anyone managed to use the tags to switch off the phone security? As in I don't want to have to put in my pin/face unlock when I'm at home so it'd be great to disable it!

Thanks

Glowing

Thanks - but I don't want to actually unlock the phone with the tag - I want to disable the need to have to enter a PIN in order to unlock it ... or is that what you meant?

KTRIC

errlloyd wrote: »

IS NFC the same tech used in Dublin bus rambler tickets btw?

I am just curious?

I just scanned mine and the phone just beeped, nothing happened after that

batistuta9

Glowing wrote: »

Thanks - but I don't want to actually unlock the phone with the tag - I want to disable the need to have to enter a PIN in order to unlock it ... or is that what you meant?

If you have ICS you can change the lock screen setting to none instead of PIN/slide/pattern or whatever, if this is what you mean

Settings >> Security >> Screen lock >> none

or do you mean change this setting with the NFC tag, like you change wireless on/off, etc.? If so i'm not sure

Chet T16

Glowing wrote: »

Sorry I already asked this in the HTC One forum ...

Has anyone managed to use the tags to switch off the phone security? As in I don't want to have to put in my pin/face unlock when I'm at home so it'd be great to disable it!

Thanks

You could do this with tasker although it might be even better to do it with tasker based on your wifi at home

blankblank

Is ebay the best place to buy??

Anybody buy the NTAG203 tags? Is the memory sufficient to have a task on it i.e turn on wifi, turn of sound, open browser etc?? or would the standard 1K tags be a better choice?

Fanatec

Davie89 wrote: »

Is ebay the best place to buy??

Anybody buy the NTAG203 tags? Is the memory sufficient to have a task on it i.e turn on wifi, turn of sound, open browser etc?? or would the standard 1K tags be a better choice?

AirNFC in Limerick sell these tags, afaik they can do everything the standard 1k tags can and are more responsive and have a longer reading distance.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

nedd

i have been messing with mine and I have noticed something to do with the phone I didn't think would happen.

I have a NFC tag in the car to turn on the Bluetooth when i swipe once and turn it back off when i swipe again. I have the sticker on my car dock.

But when i put the phone into the car dock and unlock the screen it scans the tag. then every time i unlock the screen while in the car it scans the tag again.

So my bluetooth keeps turning on and off :-(

I didn't realise this would happen. I thought I would have to move the phone away from the tag to tag on and off. oohh well. I suppose i can just move the sticker somewhere else in the car.

Professey Chin

nedd wrote: »

i have been messing with mine and I have noticed something to do with the phone I didn't think would happen.

I have a NFC tag in the car to turn on the Bluetooth when i swipe once and turn it back off when i swipe again. I have the sticker on my car dock.

But when i put the phone into the car dock and unlock the screen it scans the tag. then every time i unlock the screen while in the car it scans the tag again.

So my bluetooth keeps turning on and off :-(

I didn't realise this would happen. I thought I would have to move the phone away from the tag to tag on and off. oohh well. I suppose i can just move the sticker somewhere else in the car.

I put mine near the top of the dock so it scans as im putting it in then switches again as im taking it out

matrim

nedd wrote: »

i have been messing with mine and I have noticed something to do with the phone I didn't think would happen.

I have a NFC tag in the car to turn on the Bluetooth when i swipe once and turn it back off when i swipe again. I have the sticker on my car dock.

But when i put the phone into the car dock and unlock the screen it scans the tag. then every time i unlock the screen while in the car it scans the tag again.

So my bluetooth keeps turning on and off :-(

I didn't realise this would happen. I thought I would have to move the phone away from the tag to tag on and off. oohh well. I suppose i can just move the sticker somewhere else in the car.

There might be a setting to turn off NFC when locked / screen off (which makes sense as a security measure). Maybe you could turn this off

nedd

matrim wrote: »

There might be a setting to turn off NFC when locked / screen off (which makes sense as a security measure). Maybe you could turn this off

yeah the NFC only scans when the screen is on and unlocked. But still when i unlock the screen to read a text (while parked ;-) ) the bluetooth turns off.

I will just move it. Just pointing out it was something i didn't really think of.

joeKel73

Got a pack of 10 earlier in the week. Now looking for ideas to use them!

I've one on the TV remote at home - which launches a TV Listings app.

Put another on my students union loyalty card which brings me to a page with my balance on it.

chris85

J o e wrote: »

Got a pack of 10 earlier in the week. Now looking for ideas to use them!

I've one on the TV remote at home - which launches a TV Listings app.

Put another on my students union loyalty card which brings me to a page with my balance on it.

I like that idea with the remote.

PogMoThoin

I have 2 on the laptop, one for sync opens Airdroid and Swiftp on phone, other as a switch for hotspot on/off. I have beside bed and front door already. Looking for some more good ideas

Patsy fyre

So I got myself 5 of these tags and messing around with them now. Anyone still using these?

Trying to figure out some practical uses for them. Will come in handy for the car.

natnifnolnacs

I've just ordered a few stickers there, should have them by the weekend so I can have a play with them and see what's what.

Chet T16

This is quite a useful app, it seems to be more powerful than some and easier to use than tasker

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anytag.android

Patsy fyre

What are the best stickers to get?

The ones I had were not that sticky and ended up losing them.

natnifnolnacs

Well I got some tags and so far so good for the most part. I'm using "AnyTAG NFC launcher". I have one in the car which among other things, turns on bluetooth. Now if I turn it on manually, it will scan for a paired device and I just click connect, but if bluetooth is turned on via the nfc tag, it doesn't appear to scan. i have to manually tell it to search...which kind of defeats the purpose.

Any ideas if it's something I'm doing wrong, or if there is a setting I can change somewhere? It's a galaxy S3 if that makes a difference

Lardy

Should be picking up my new Note 2 later this week and was planning on ordering a few NFC tags...

Would anyone know the difference between these two:

http://www.airnfc.com/collections/all/products/nfc-tag-ntag203

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/271117157413?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_711wt_1344

€9 for ten on ebay Vs €20 for ten on airnfc is quite a bit of a difference!

Thanks

ferrigan101

Lardy wrote: »

Should be picking up my new Note 2 later this week and was planning on ordering a few NFC tags...

Would anyone know the difference between these two:

http://www.airnfc.com/collections/all/products/nfc-tag-ntag203

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/271117157413?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_711wt_1344

€9 for ten on ebay Vs €20 for ten on airnfc is quite a bit of a difference!

Thanks

Just had a quick look but I would go for the ones on ebay tbh! Might pick some up myself to replace the old nfcair ones I have.

Fanatec

Lardy wrote: »

Should be picking up my new Note 2 later this week and was planning on ordering a few NFC tags...

Would anyone know the difference between these two:

http://www.airnfc.com/collections/all/products/nfc-tag-ntag203

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/271117157413?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_711wt_1344

€9 for ten on ebay Vs €20 for ten on airnfc is quite a bit of a difference!

Thanks

Airnfc seem to have some tags for €1.49. Not sure if there's a difference form the others apart from the logos.
http://www.airnfc.com/collections/all/products/nfc-ntag203-white

Pikasso

Got mine from the ebay link on the 19th - arrived today.

...However my GS3 got 'Sudden Death' so no way to play around with them.
Oh well, just have to wait.