Samsung is looking to make Near Field Technology (NFC) a little more accessible to everyone with the announcement of its TecTiles, quarter-sized programmable sticker tags, which is integrated in newer Android phones and it allows you to tap a phone to pay or send information. Using the NFC technology in certain Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Nexus, users will be able to program the TecTile tags to launch a specific app or send a text message using the TecTiles app and you can program the tags to do a number of things, including launch a website, show an address on a map, or launch a Facebook status update. A pack of five tiles will cost $14.99 and it is likely that Samsung will roll out support for other NFC Android phones.
Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) is helping consumers realize the potential of NFC technology today with the creation of Samsung TecTiles and the TecTile programming application. With the largest user base of NFC-enabled devices in the United States and TecTiles available in all four major carrier stores and at major online retailers at the launch of the Galaxy S III, Samsung is ensuring NFC becomes a part of daily life. With a simple tap of an NFC-enabled phone to a TecTile, consumers are able to automate everyday functions of a smartphone including sending a "headed/at home" text message, silencing the phone when entering a meeting, setting an alarm, and dimming the display when going to bed. Samsung TecTiles will transform how businesses large and small engage with consumers. On premise, TecTiles enable consumers to check-in on Facebook or foursquare, connect to Wi-Fi or download content. Off-premise, businesses can use TecTiles as a way to market to and engage with consumers by enabling reward programs and to download discount offers or content. "With millions of NFC-enabled Samsung Galaxy smartphones currently in the market and the arrival of our flagship device Galaxy S III, Samsung saw an opportunity to expand the value of NFC beyond mobile payments," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. and worldwide. "The launch of Samsung TecTiles is another example of Samsung's ability to innovate new products and applications that improve the way we use our mobile devices for everyday tasks."
Samsung TecTiles are easy to program with any NFC-enabled smartphone and the free application, which can be found in the Google Play marketplace. TecTiles can be reprogrammed as often as needed to complete any of the following functions on an NFC-enabled phone:
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
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 TM on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked
- Nexus TM S 4G on Sprint
- Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G on T-Mobile
Priced at $14.99 for a pack of five, TecTiles programmable NFC sticker tags are now available for purchase online and in-store at AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The Samsung TecTiles app is now available for download at the Google Play store.
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