Android NFC Tags writing apps

Taken from nearfieldcommunication.org

Android smartphones can take advantage of several NFC application designed for everything from reading NFC tags to swapping business cards with another NFC compatible device. Download one or more of these popular Android apps to your Android smartphone and start seeing how near field communication can benefit you and make everyday tasks a little easier.


NFC TagInfo

NFC tags are very inconscipous, and might show up in places you never expected. Whether you’ve seen NFC tags on a smart poster or are curious whether that square on the back of your new library book is hiding an NFC tag, this app will pick up the tag’s info and tell you all you need to know about what it is and what it does.


NFC TagWriter by NXP

The NFC TagWriter lets you add your own content to your NFC tags. If you need to add a new phone number to your business card or want to create a URL for your company’s smart poster, this app will do it for you. You can also read the contents of an existing NFC tag and keep records of tags you’ve read and written.


WiFiTap WiFi NFC

This WiFi app combines WiFi and NFC so your friends and family can connect to your wireless network quickly and easily. Instead of typing in the username and password to connect, friends can simply wave their smartphone over your NFC tag and connect instantly. No need to type in passwords on cramped phone keyboards.


NFC Task Launcher

NFC Task Launcher focuses on creating different types of NFC tags. You can create task tags that cause a certain action to happen when scanned, URL tags for launching websites, and create several other tag types including URI tags and text tags.


NFC Classic Tag Reader Writer

For those who simply want to read NFC tags with no extra frills attached, the Android marketplace has the NFC Classic Tag Reader Writer. You can read and save NFC tag information and set up peer-to-peer connections with friends.

How to program an NFC Tag

Taken from cnet.com
Credit goes to Jason Cipriani

It's starting to look like NFC tags are going to be all the rage soon.
Between Sony and rumors of Apple working with MasterCard, NFC is going to go mainstream. So why wait? If you already have an NFC-capable device, you can start using NFC around your home or office, and have fun with it while you're at it.
To program an NFC tag, you will need an Android device with NFC capabilities. You will also need some NFC tags, which appear to be nothing more than a sticker on the outside, as well as an app that allows you to write to the tags.
I bought some tags from a vendor on Amazon, where you can find plenty of tags for a reasonable price. Make sure you buy preformatted tags; doing so will ensure you avoid any issues with formatting. As for the Android app, I'm using NFC Task Launcher. You can find it in the Android Market for $1.99.

Make sure to watch the above video to see a quick demo of creating a tag that toggles your device's Wi-Fi state. This would come in handy if the tag was placed next to your front door, or wherever you normally sat down your phone as you get home from work. Tapping the tag would then turn on your device's Wi-Fi, allowing it to connect to your home network. Similarly, you could then tap your device on the same tag as you are leaving the house to turn Wi-Fi off.
There is much, much more that can be done with NFC tags and your device. This is just scratching the surface. Over the coming days and weeks I will go through some creative uses, as well as just some extremely handy uses of NFC and NFC tags.

Samsung TecTiles™ commercial from Samsung

Samsung TecTiles™ commercial from Samsung

Xperia Smart Tags commercial from Sony

How to install Google Wallet on any device, any country !

Video tutorial, credit goes to GigaBiteHD

Written tutorial, credit goes to b-reezy
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1810282

NFC Keyboard

     Taken from engadget

     NFC is used primarily for enjoyable activities, like buying things, sharing content and making QR codes feel old. But Japanese company Elecom is looking to change all that with a compact keyboard that exploits NFC for productivity. The silicon menace requires a companion app and is compatible with Android phones running Gingerbread (2.3.4) and up. If the bundled case had you sold on the peripheral, you may want to reconsider. The retail price is a sizeable 18,690 yen (approximately $240), and what's worse, the battery is neither rechargeable nor replaceable, so you'll have to bin it after the stated 18 months (eight hours a day) of life. Still interested? Then head over the break for a video demo from Norwegian co-development company one2TOUCH.

What is Google Wallet ?

     Taken from HowStuffWorks

     With Google Wallet, you can quickly pay for items on- or offline with just one tap. You’ll also simultaneously redeem coupons and collect loyalty points.

     The Wallet concept banks on a couple of spreading technologies including smartphones and near-field communication (NFC).

     For instance, you can use an NFC-enabled phone to pay for things, from parking meters and pet supplies to sandwiches and much more. Visit a merchant who's equipped with an NFC checkout system, and with your NFC smartphone, complete what's called a contactless payment. Tap or wave your phone near the NFC terminal, enter your PIN (personal identification number) and you're done. You don't even need a paper receipt because the store can send an electronic copy directly to your e-mail account.

You can set up Wallet with your credit cards, gift cards, loyalty cards and more so you'll have the option to pay with whatever source you choose. Of course, to use Wallet at all, you need to find stores that actually have the equipment to read the NFC chip in your phone.

     Google anticipated this infrastructure problem. Rather than build a proprietary network of terminals, the company made Wallet compatible with MasterCard's PayPass system, which is already available at around 150,000 locations. Wallet works online, too. You can basically use the app to speed through checkout at sites all over the Web.

     Quick, painless payments are only one component of Google Wallet.


 Also, be sure to check out this official Google Wallet introduction video from Google :

Where to buy NFC tags ?

     Here are the list of the sites where you can buy NFC tags
Thanks to tr.slate from xda-developers for this lovely list !

androidbands.de (germany based, ships worldwide)
sparkfun.com (us based)
nfc-tag-shop.de (germany based - free shipping to germany - ships worldwide)
nfczone.net (denmark based - ships worldwide)
tagstand.com/ (us based - ships worldwide)
buynfctags.com/ (us based - ships worldwide)
rapidnfc.com/ (uk based - ships to uk & europe)
airnfc.com/ (ireland based - ships worldwide)
tagage.net/ (finland based - ships worldwide)
touchatag.com (ireland based? - **caution tags may be locked to their service**)
rfidshop.com (uk based - ships to uk & europe)
buysmartcard.com/ (asia based - ships to various countries)
tagsfordroid.com (us based - ships worldwide)
identivenfc.com (us based - ships worldwide)
nfcdog.com (uk based - ships worldwide)
toptunniste.fi (finland based - ships worldwide)
nfcnetstore.com/ (finland based)
kimtag.com (uk based)
simplenfc.com (us based)
nfctagstore.com (uk based?)
atuch.com (us based - ships worldwide)
nfclabels.com (us based)
nfc-hub.com (uk based)
aliexpress.com (wholesaler? asia based?)
www.smartcardfocus.com (various countries)

Technical Jargon of NFC

 NFC-based communication between two devices is possible when one device acts as a reader/writer and the other as a tag.

• The tag is a thin simple device containing antenna and small amount of memory. It is a passive device, powered by magnetic field. Depending on the tag type the memory can be read only, re-writable, and writable once.

• The reader is an active device, which generates radio signals to communicate with the tags. The reader powers the passive device in case of passive mode of communication

     Source : www.touchwork.com

What is NFC ?

     NFC, short for Near Field Communication, is a short range wireless RFID technology that makes use of interacting electromagnetic radio fields instead of the typical direct radio transmissions used by technologies such as Bluetooth. It is meant for applications where a physical touch, or close to it, is required in order to maintain security. NFC is planned for use in mobile phones for, among other things, payment, in conjunction with an electronic wallet, and for setting up connections between Bluetooth devices (rendering the current manual Bluetooth pairing process obsolete).
  
     Source : www.mobileburn.com

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      This blog provides easy instructions on how to develop your own NFC tags.
Yes, your own tags !!! So you can create your own tags to function whatever you want, wherever you are.

     If you ever run out of ideas on how to use your valuable tags,  we also suggest innovative and creative ideas for you. Get the most out of your tags !

     Also, this blog will also provide you with NFC news, like the best NFC-related apps and  butt-kicking NFC-gadget reviews !!

     What are you waiting for ? Let's get started already !!

     Once again, welcome to my blog and please enjoy your stay~