Samsung TecTile 3.0 brings enhanced NFC functionality
One of the bigger quirks that came with owning a Samsung device was Samsung TecTiles. TecTiles are NFC tags that users can place around their home and office to automate certain tasks on their phones.
For instance, if I wanted to turn my GPS on, Bluetooth on, WiFi off, and turn my ringer volume up on my phone when leaving the house I could tap my phone on an NFC tag next to the door and have all this done automatically and effortlessly.
Well, Samsung’s improving on the experience with the announcement of TecTiles 3.0 this morning. One of the biggest features will be the addition of profiles. Instead of having to buy multiple TecTiles for multiple people, profiles will allow people to have a different set of actions for one TecTile.
For instance, if your wife prefers to have her navigation app launched and have her Bluetooth radios turned on while you would rather have a music app launch and dial your voicemail, both of you can have your cake and eat it on the same TecTile.
Other changes include the ability to keep a history of the actions you program for TecTiles, create private TecTiles that only your phone can use, and unlock TecTiles or clear a TecTile without having to write over the previous command.
As for what TecTiles can manipulate on your phones, there is now support for Foursquare, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, Google Talk, Glympse, and Google Places. It will let you play a specific track and pause/play in the music player. It will even forward a call, edit or share electronic business cards, and send a pre-written email to whatever email addresses you specify.
We’ve always been excited for NFC, and while mobile payments are great there was a very huge void in other use cases. Samsung’s TecTiles have no doubt been the most ambitious use of NFC yet, and things have only gotten better with this update.
As for availability, it looks like you won’t even have to get new TecTiles (though they’re $15 for a pack of 5 at your local carrier or Samsung.com if you need to buy some) — all you’ll need to do is upgrade the Android app by heading to the Google Play Store.
Samsung Mobile Expands NFC Capabilities with TecTile™ Version 3.0
Samsung’s TecTile mobile application update offers more programmable settings, deeper app integration and the ability to program multiple commands to a single TecTile
DALLAS — Oct. 24, 2012 — Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) – the No.1 mobile phone provider in the United States and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide1 – continues to advance the use of NFC technology in everyday life with the rollout of Samsung TecTile Version 3.0, the latest update to its popular mobile application. The Samsung TecTile 3.0 mobile app provides a variety of new ways to customize Samsung TecTile programmable NFC tags to automatically change features and settings of Samsung Android™ NFC-enabled devices with a single tap.
Samsung TecTile originally launched alongside the Samsung Galaxy S® III as an introduction to the user-friendly capabilities of NFC beyond mobile payments. With the U.S. launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note® II, TecTile programmable NFC tags and the TecTile 3.0 mobile application can now automate everyday smartphone functions on Samsung’s newest iconic device.
“As the clear leader in NFC-enabled smartphone deployment in the United States, Samsung is committed to developing and advancing this promising mobile technology,” said Kevin Packingham, chief product officer of Samsung Telecommunications America. “Samsung TecTile tags combined with the TecTile 3.0 application simplifies the way consumers interact with their mobile device and greatly enhances the overall user experience.”
With the largest user base of NFC-enabled devices in the United States, Samsung continues to broaden the use of NFC technology for consumers and businesses by continually expanding and evolving the capabilities of the TecTile mobile application.
Enhancements offered with TecTile Version 3.0
Programming Enhancements & Improved Usability
o Program multiple actions to a single TecTile – With one tap, a TecTile can perform a series of actions including turning on Bluetooth®, launching the Navigation app and calling voicemail when entering a car.
o Customize Profiles – Version 3.0 enables users to turn the notion of a static TecTile on its head. Define preloaded Profiles within the app and program a different TecTile tag to launch each Profile – such as “normal,” “office,” “night” and “car” – allowing for easy toggling between Profiles throughout the day. Groups can also take advantage of Profiles. Rather than program a TecTile to evoke the same actions on every smartphone with every tap, Profiles allow one TecTile to perform customized actions for different users when scanned. For example, within the app, each TecTile user in an office can customize their “meeting” Profile to fit their specific preferences, such as automatically setting the phone to vibrate or silent mode, depending on user choice. Then, program one TecTile in a conference room to automatically launch each user’s unique, custom “meeting” Profile upon tapping. Users can also create and add their own custom Profiles based on daily activities, like “workout,” “gaming” or “TV.”
o Store TecTile tag history – Users can now keep a log of all TecTile tags they program for easy reference.
o Create private TecTile tags – Create private TecTile tags that only the owner’s phone can read. TecTile 3.0 will associate the programmer’s email address to all private TecTile tags and will only allow execution of a TecTile command to the programmer’s device.
o Unlock a previously locked TecTile – A TecTile programmer can unlock a previously locked TecTile, or clear a TecTile without having to overwrite with a new command. This is beneficial for both consumers and commercial users who want to extend the value of their TecTile tags while retaining the secure option to lock a TecTile.Programming Additions & Application Integration: Samsung has expanded the list of phone settings that TecTile can change when tapped, including the addition of Airplane mode, more comprehensive alarm settings and the ability to automatically change a ringtone. In addition, TecTile 3.0 can now integrate with more applications to give users a more comprehensive experience. Specifically, TecTile can now:
o Share or edit an electronic business card, forward a call or send a pre-written email to a specific addresso Toggle between Play/Pause settings on Music Player, or play a specific track
o In addition to integration with LinkedIn®, Facebook® and foursquare®, program a TecTile to update a Google+ status, start a Google Talk conversation, check in on Google Places or on Glympse™ location sharing
Samsung NFC-Enabled Android TM Smartphones
· Samsung Galaxy Note II on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon· Samsung Galaxy S III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon
· Samsung Galaxy Note® on AT&T and T-Mobile
· Samsung Galaxy S® II on T-Mobile
· Galaxy Nexus TM on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked
· Nexus TM S ® 4G on Sprint
· Nexus TM S® on AT&T and T-Mobile
· Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze® 4G on T-Mobile
· Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate™ on AT&T
· Samsung Galaxy S® Relay™ 4G on T-Mobile
· Samsung Galaxy Victory™ 4G LTE on Sprint
Pricing/Availability
Priced at $14.99 for a pack of five, TecTile programmable NFC sticker tags are available for purchase at Samsung.com and online and in-store at AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. The Samsung TecTile 3.0 mobile app is available for free in the Google Play™ marketplace.Samsung TecTile Microsite
For a detailed list of added features and enhancements offered by the TecTile Version 3.0 upgrade, visit http://www.samsung.com/us/microsite/tectile/.1 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.
© Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC. Samsung, Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, and TecTiles are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.