Fitbit upgrades NFC fitness wristband
Health and fitness monitoring specialist Fitbit has upgraded itsFitbit Flex wristband with the Fitbit Force, now featuring an OLED screen that displays the time, how many steps you've taken, calories burned and floors climbed.
As with the Fitbit Flex, NFC can be used for pairing to an Android device. Data is communicated between the Force and devices running Fitbit's analysis app via Bluetooth 4.0, and owners of Android NFC phones can start the app by tapping their device to the wristband.
The Fitbit Force also tracks how long you sleep and records periods of restlessness, and the company is working to introduce a feature that will display incoming calls from a synced smartphone on the wristband.
The battery will last for ten days between charges and the Fitbit Force is available to order now for US$130.
Health and fitness monitoring specialist Fitbit has upgraded itsFitbit Flex wristband with the Fitbit Force, now featuring an OLED screen that displays the time, how many steps you've taken, calories burned and floors climbed.
As with the Fitbit Flex, NFC can be used for pairing to an Android device. Data is communicated between the Force and devices running Fitbit's analysis app via Bluetooth 4.0, and owners of Android NFC phones can start the app by tapping their device to the wristband.
The Fitbit Force also tracks how long you sleep and records periods of restlessness, and the company is working to introduce a feature that will display incoming calls from a synced smartphone on the wristband.
The battery will last for ten days between charges and the Fitbit Force is available to order now for US$130.
Samsung launches Galaxy Round NFC smartphone with curved display
Samsung has launched the Galaxy Round, a premium NFC smartphone with a curved 5.7-inch Full HD display which will go on sale in Korea for KRW1,089,000 (US$1,000).
As well as being easier to grip thanks to its design and Galaxy Note 3-like stitched leather back cover, the Galaxy Round will offer a new feature called Round Interaction, allowing the user to see information such as missed calls and battery life while the handset is locked, by tilting it towards them when it's on a flat surface.
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz quad-core processor, the Galaxy Round runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and offers 3GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage.
Both 13 megapixel rear and front-facing two megapixel cameras are included along with NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and a USB 3.0 connection.
Samsung has launched the Galaxy Round, a premium NFC smartphone with a curved 5.7-inch Full HD display which will go on sale in Korea for KRW1,089,000 (US$1,000).
As well as being easier to grip thanks to its design and Galaxy Note 3-like stitched leather back cover, the Galaxy Round will offer a new feature called Round Interaction, allowing the user to see information such as missed calls and battery life while the handset is locked, by tilting it towards them when it's on a flat surface.
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz quad-core processor, the Galaxy Round runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and offers 3GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage.
Both 13 megapixel rear and front-facing two megapixel cameras are included along with NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and a USB 3.0 connection.
Octopus pilots Sony Felicia NFC payments in Hong Kong
Hong Kong contactless transportation ticketing and stored value payments provider Octopus is conducting a mobile payments pilot in conjunction with mobile network operator PCCW-HKT, usingOctopus Mobile SIMs — NFC-enabled SIM cards compatible with Sony FeliCa contactless card technology.
Customers taking part in the pilot will be able to use an NFC phone to access the same services as those offered by conventional Octopus cards and products, by installing a FeliCa-based Octopus applet on a new Upteq NFC SIM card, supplied byGemalto, and then inserting the SIM into their NFC phone. The pilot marks the first time a FeliCa applet has been available commercially on an NFC SIM.
Those taking part will be able to pay for journeys on all of Hong Kong's public transportation systems, including the metro, rail, bus, ferry, coach and tram, as well as pay for fares on minibuses and taxis that accept Octopus. They will also be able to make payments at retail stores, food and beverages outlets as well as purchase entrance tickets at selected entertainment venues. Drivers will also able to pay for their parking using their NFC phones.
Customers will be able to top up their Octopus Mobile SIM account at any Octopus reader in Hong Kong.
The service will also be "always on", allowing customers to make transactions without opening an app and to track their balance and access their transaction history on their phone. A new OctoCheck widget will enable users to view their balance by just clicking the icon on their phone's homescreen.
An initial 5,000 Octopus Mobile SIMs are being made available for the pilot. Customers who purchase a Sony Xperia V, Z, ZR, Z Ultra (3G), Z Ultra (LTE) or Z1 smartphone on contract with PCCW-HKT will have the usual HK$100 (US$12.90) activation fee waived "while stocks last".
"The pilot launch will also gauge users' experiences and feedback to precede the full market launch of the Octopus Mobile Payment Service in the near future," Octopus says. "The OMS will be further enhanced to support other new functions and applications in due course, and more smartphone models would be tested for compatibility with this new payment service in future."
OCTOPUS: An app shows transaction history
Those new functions are expected to include both access control and loyalty applications, according to Gemalto.
The new Octopus Mobile Payment Service (OMS) has been developed by the company in collaboration with PCCW-HKT, Sony Mobile Communications, Gemalto and Sony FeliCa. "Sony is collaborating with major SIM manufacturers to incorporate FeliCa-compatible technology in NFC SIM cards," Sony says, "as part of its strategy to develop mobile solutions globally."
"Since our early days in pioneering contactless smartcard payment technology, we have been committed to leveraging innovative technologies to widen Octopus' applications and provide diverse payment alternatives," says Octopus CEO Sunny Cheung.
"We are grateful to all partners for helping us bring this innovative endeavour into fruition, as we offer smartphone users the brand new experience of mobile proximity payment with added convenience, efficiency and accessibility."
Nice bike rental stations get new NFC signs
NICE: Velo Bleu's new NFC touchpoints are designed to look like a flower
Velo Bleu bike rental stations across the French city of Nice are sporting a new design for their NFC signs.
NFC provider Connecthings has incorporated NFC tags and QR codes into the shape of a flower to form the updated design which is on display at 250 locations — adding to the city's existing base of 5,000 touchpoints. The signs allow citizens and tourists to gain access to suggested bike trails, points of interests along their route and bike repair locations.
Stel tracks laundry via NFC
TAGS: Laundry is permanently tagged with RFID buttons that can be read with an NFC phone
Spanish technology integrator Stel Solutions has developed a service that uses NFC tags attached to garments to reduce handling errors when items are sent for cleaning.
The NFC tags used in the Stel Laundry system store information on the type of garment, its owner and its destination and are affixed to clothing in the form of small buttons. They are then read during the laundering process using a 'smart table' that contains an NFC reader pad and is also used for folding clothes.
Ownership information for lost and misplaced items can also be read by an NFC phone.
A video created by Stel shows the concept in action:
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