What Is NFC and What Can It Do for You

NFC is getting a great deal of attention as it becomes included in more smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other device. It's being hyped as The Next Big Thing that will change how we use our mobile devices: everything from shopping to interacting with your home and unlocking your car. Here's an overview of the current and potential uses of NFC.

NFC in a Nutshell

NFC stands for Near Field Communication, and, as the name implies, it's a set of close-range wireless communication standards. NFC-equipped smartphones and other devices can exchange information with each other with a simple tap or wave.

Remind you of tap-to-pay credit cards or apps like Paypal "bumping" to transfer money? That's because NFC is the technology behind many new mobile payments types such as these.

NFC and RFID (radio frequency identification) are sometimes used interchangeably, but NFC is really a newer version or extension of RFID. RFID waves can have very long ranges (e.g., RFID is the tech that helps highway toll readers read your car's toll pass), while NFC limits the range of communication to within 4 inches. This makes NFC perfect for more secure applications like paying for things or securely logging in at a location.

NFC also allows two-way communication, as opposed to RFID's one-way reading technology. So transferring photos or contacts between devices is a common use of NFC (see the "Android Beam" feature on many new smartphones).

Which Devices Have NFC?

Many smartphones and new laptops have NFC chips. NFC World has an exhaustive list of all the phones around the world that are NFC-equipped (available now, coming soon, with limited availability, and more categories). Google Nexus variants have NFC, as do several BlackBerries, HTC phones, and others. NFC chips are also embedded in "tags," which are stickers that your device can interact with.

Among the phones without NFC: The recently announced iPhone 5, despite previous rumors. Apparently, Apple thinks its Passbook feature is enough and people don't need NFC.

Devices that supports NFC:

BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry Bold 9900, BlackBerry Bold 9930, BlackBerry Curve 9350, BlackBerry Curve 9360, BlackBerry Curve 9370, BlackBerry Curve 9380, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Google Nexus 7, Google Nexus S, HTC Desire C, HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE, HTC Evo 4G LTE, HTC Incredible, HTC One X, HTC Ruby, Motorola Droid Razr, Motorola MC75A HF, Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE, Nokia 603, Nokia 700, Nokia 701, Nokia 801T, Nokia 808 Pureview, etc. (Read more here)

What You Can Do With NFC

NFC is most commonly associated with the "mobile wallet"—the idea that your smartphone will replace your cash and credit cards. In one tap or wave of your phone, you can pay for your groceries and redeem offers or coupons. Google Wallet, partnering with MasterCard PayPass, is one example. You can store all major credit and debit cards in Google Wallet and get a "virtual MasterCard" that pays for your purchases in-store wherever those PayPass scanners are or online.

At the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) this week in San Francisco, Intel showed off the interaction between a smartphone and an Ultrabook laptop. The phone, tapped to the laptop, logged into a site and paid for an online purchase—no form-filling required.

Beyond mobile payments, though, there are a world of uses for NFC, including:

● Paying for your parking meter, at least in some cities like San Francisco.

Getting tickets or boarding passes. Some airlines and buses are also experimenting with using NFC for boarding passes

● Opening doors. BMW has NFC-enabled car keys. Companies and universities are looking into or rolling out using NFC-enabled devices as security badges. To gain physical access somewhere, members need only tap their smartphones at the door.

● Downloading information. Advertisers and marketers can use NFC chips in porters and other promotional materials so all you have to do to get more information is tap or wave your phone (easier than QR codes, perhaps).

 

HTC Elation Windows Phone 8 Device Leaked, Includes Quad-Core Processor

HTC has accidentally posted its upcoming Windows Phone 8 device called HTC Elation on its website. HTC Elation will be the flagship Windows Phone 8 device with specs better than HTC One X. It features Quad core processor, 8MP camera, 32 GB Storage, 2000mAh battery, Beats Audio and 4.7inch SLCD display as well.

Update: As many of our readers pointed out, this "may be" a fan concept and not a real device from HTC. Specs and Design are great, I would like to see it as a real device. We have to wait till Wednesday to see actual details of the HTC flagship device.

5-inch HTC DROID Incredible X Specifications Leaked: 480ppi Screen

A new product launch will be held on September 19, 2012 by HTC. News from BGR lists the detailed specifications of HTC Droid Incredible X, which is said to own 5-inch HD screen and with 1080p video recording support. It is equipped with display screen up to 480ppi. In CPU, it adopts dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. Besides, 4G LTE is supported, Sense 5 interface is employed and Scribe stylus is put to use. At the same time, it is with 1.5G RAM and 16GB storage space, of course, microSD card expansion is available. It is expected that it will be released in autumn this year.

 

If you have got one HTC Droid Incredible phone device, you may need the guide to rip DVD to HTC Droid Incredible video on Windows and Mac, go ahead if you need it.

iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, or iPhone 4? Which is Worth Purchasing?

Apple has announced the long-awaited iPhone 5. Boasting an all-new design, with 4G LTE and a larger 4-inch Retina display, Apple is calling it "the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone."

We've stacked up the specs for the iPhone 5 side by side against the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 to help determine which phone is right for you.

The biggest, most attractive feature of the iPhone 5 is its new design. The phone is 20 percent lighter, 18 percent thinner, and 12 percent smaller by volume than the iPhone 4S. At just 0.3 inches thick and 3.95 ounces, it's one of the thinnest, lightest smartphones available. That's a pretty major feat, considering that Apple has also increased the size of the display.

That's right. For the first time since the original iPhone, Apple has bumped the display up from 3.5 inches to 4 inches. The resolution has been boosted too, up to 1,136-by-640 pixels, which makes for the same 326 pixel-per-inch Retina display as the iPhone 4 and 4S. Color has been improved as well, with color saturation that's 44 percent greater than before. That additional screen size allows for added app functionality, and Apple claims that old apps will look and work just the same as new ones.

Arguably the greatest new feature is support for 4G LTE. This is the first LTE phone that Apple has released, and it will be able to tap into the super-fast new networks from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon (provided you live in an LTE coverage area). The iPhone 5 also includes support for a number of other networks all around the world. And dual-band 802.11n wireless connectivity should accelerate your Wi-Fi experience as well.

The iPhone 5 is powered by Apple's powerful new A6 chip, which Apple claims is up to twice as fast as the A5 processor found in the iPhone 4S. It's also less power hungry, and Apple claims you can get up to eight hours of 3G talk time, eight hours of 4G LTE Internet use, or 10 hours of video playback on the iPhone 5. We recorded nine hours and 22 minutes of 3G talk time on the Verizon model of the iPhone 4S, so the number we see this time around will likely be even higher.

And for the first time in many years, Apple has upgraded its standard Apple Earphones to new Apple EarPods. Designed with fit and comfort in mind, the EarPods are futuristic-looking little earbuds with a built-in remote and mic. They've been engineered to minimize sound loss and maximize sound output using a number of strategically placed vents. Needless to say, these are likely to be a major win over those tinny Apple Earphones of yesteryear.

That's not the only improvement made for sound. The iPhone 5 has three microphones—one on the front, one on the back, and one on the bottom—which should make for clearer audio. And new noise-canceling technology reduces background noise even further.

Improvements have been made to the camera as well. It's still an 8-megapixel sensor, but now it's 40 percent faster, with better low-light performance and improved noise reduction. The phone's gyroscope, processor, and camera app also work together to create seamless, high-res panoramas up to 28 megapixels. And the front-facing camera has been given an update to 720p for HD FaceTime Calls.

Also new is the Lightning connector, which is smaller, more durable, and reversible than the previous 30-pin connector. There's an adapter for all your old 30-pin devices, so don't worry too much, but this one does look like it'll make it even easier to connect.

Siri has been upgraded, along with a plethora of new features in iOS 6. iOS 6 will also be coming to the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on Sept. 19, but Siri is only available on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5.

So is the new iPhone 5 worth it? You'll have to check back for our review before we can make that call, but right now, it looks like if you're willing to drop at least $200, the iPhone 5 will offer some major upgrades over the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.

If you're looking for a new, entry-level smartphone, and don't want to spend a lot of money, it's hard to beat a free iPhone 4. Still, an extra $100 or two isn't all that much extra to spend over the life of a two-year contract, considering most contracts cost around $100 per month. So if I were shopping around for a new iPhone (and I think I just might be), I'd put my money on the iPhone 5.

 

Overview on New Apple Products: iPhone 5, iPod Touch and iPod Nano

iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 is real and nearly ready to ship and we got a bit of hands-on time with it today. The new phone is just a bit longer than the current iPhone 4S and far speedier. Maps and photos flew by and the various apps popped up in a few seconds.

It's not as earth-shatteringly different than the iPhone 4S, to be sure. While the real benchmarks and games aren't quite available yet, folks who haven't used the 4S will notice a bump.

The screen is the real draw here and I'm really interested to see how it improves the experience in real-world conditions. Obviously you're getting just a bit more real estate and the Lightning connector allows for far more room for battery and processor. Again, it's far too early to tell right now, but if you're looking for something in the sweet spot between monsters like the Samsung Galaxy S III and the arguably bordering-on-too-small (at this point) iPhone 4, this may be a good compromise.

Build quality is quite nice and the solid aluminum is quite unique and quite solid. Hopefully this will reduce some damage if it falls on a hard surface.

The iPhone 5 will be available in both black and white at the same price points as the previous generation: $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB version and $399 for the 64GB variant.

We'll know far more about these phones when we get to really use them later this month but until then I can report that this is a solid and interesting improvement to a solid and interesting phone. Is it a blockbuster launch? Probably not, but it is an interstitial launch that allows Apple to update the screen size and dock connector while still hiding some tricks up its sleeve.

iPod Touch

Apple's long-neglected iPod Touch just got a considerable upgrade with a new design, improved camera, and 4-inch Retina display. Not unlike the iPhone 5, the new model also supports iOS 6 and has a 5-megapixel camera and A5 Dual-Core chip.

The Touch is a considerable improvement over the old model but takes more design cues from the original Touches and iPhone 3G instead of the new iPhone 5. The back panel is curved, not chamfered, but the bottom is almost identical to the iPhone 5.

Games and apps were far snappier (and better-looking) on this new model and at $299 it could be a go-to device for folks not looking to spend big bucks on an upgrade this iteration. While the iPhone 5 is, at best, a minor upgrade, the Touch has been given plenty of oomph and is now far more compelling as a general purpose information manager and media player.

The iPod Touch costs $299 for the 32GB version and $399 for the 64GB version. They will be available in October and up for pre-order on September 14.

iPod Nano

Meet the new Nano: It's definitely not the same as the old Nano. This upgraded model is more akin to the original Nano design with a longer screen and physical home button. The device is far smaller than you’d expect, and it’s mostly glass and aluminum with a bit of plastic to hold it together.

The UI is very similar to the old Nano's stripped-down iOS except that functionality appears in little icons arrayed on the screen. The standard functions are still there – music player, FM radio, sports apps – but this one also plays back video and photos.

The Nano is, to be clear, the runt of the iPod/iPhone litter. It's quite inexpensive, and the screen is far less interesting than anything else in the line. It's great for casual use, and parents may consider it now as a good option for kids. While I still like the previous Nano for its size, this upgrade adds a bit more of the media features we’ve come to expect from iPods.

The Nano will be available in October for $149. It has a 16GB capacity.

 

Read more information:

Apple iPhone 5 Official Unveiled with All-new Design, Bigger Screen, 4G LTE and Enhanced Camera

Those Changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5

More than iPhone 5: iPod Nano 7 & iPod Touch 5

Those Changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5

Without doubt, the official release of Apple iPhone 5 has boiled the blood of electronic lovers. And right after the release lots of people are wondering what changes there are in the newest iPhone 5 which they have been looking forward to for one year. Besides the 4-inch screen, what are the other changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5?

Display

0.5 inch is added to iPhone 5 screen size, and the resolution is improved from 960 x 640 to 1136 x 640, resolution density remains to be 326ppi. In addition, iPhone 5 adopts LG In-Cell plane so the touch flexibility and clearness will be improved greatly.

Processor

iPhone 5 employs A6 processor. Apple officially claims that the performance of A6 CPU and GPU will be 2X better than the previous A5 processor that is included in iPhone 4S.

Camera

In photography, the front-facing camera of iPhone 5 is improved from 300 thousand pixels to 1.2 million pixels so as to allow 720p video recording. The main camera remains to be 8 million pixels.

4G LTE

Meeting up with the expectation, iPhone 5 covers LTE 4G network. The embedded SIM card has been changed from Micro SIM to Nano SIM.

For a detailed comparison between iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, you can refer to the following contrast chart.

September 12 Apple Event: What Can Expect from iPhone 5 and iOS 6

Apple is making an announcement on Wednesday, and, yes, it's kind of a big deal. On Wednesday morning at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10 a.m. PT, CEO Tim Cook will take the stage, in all likelihood, to introduce the next iPhone. This event is arguably Apple's biggest of the year because it focuses on Apple's most important and profitable product, which is generally updated once per year.

Invitations were sent out last week, bearing a number 5, and the phrase "It's almost here." This has led many of us to conclude that the device to follow the iPhone 4S will be called iPhone 5 (which, duh). But that's not all we know about the device. For the famously secretive Apple, this new iPhone is probably one of the worst-kept Apple secrets ever. So, based on a number of leaks and reports, here’s what we can very likely expect on Wednesday.

 

New iPhone

• Slightly larger screen. In a world of smartphones with 5-inch screens, the iPhone's 3.5-inch display can seem small. It's been reported that we'll get at least a 4-inch iPhone display that's slightly taller, but not much wider. The result may mean an extra row of apps on the home screen, and an overall larger area to view apps, ebooks, web content and videos.

• Thinner. The new iPhone could be thinner than ever mostly due to new display technology that combines the glass and the touch layer into one unit.

• Better battery life. One of the things Apple could do with that extra space created by taller phone? Put in a slightly larger, more powerful battery. That's long been an Apple priority, and because of the next item on this list, a necessity for this year's new model.

• LTE networking. This has been an assumption since early this year when Apple introduced 4G LTE as an option on the latest iPad. True, LTE is far more complicated to build for because of the variety of frequencies. But late Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the new iPhone would be LTE-capable and available worldwide, though, according to the report and those usual "people familiar with the matter," it "isn't likely to work with all carriers' LTE networks in all countries, the people said, though it wasn't clear which would be left out."

• Smaller dock connector. It's been rumored since February that Apple is replacing its aging 30-pin connector on the bottom of the phone with a sleeker 9-pin model. This will make room for other components — perhaps 4G radios — but unfortunately require adapters for older docks and accessories. Apple is reportedly planning to roll out the new 9-pin model across all iOS devices.

 

iOS 6

• Details. We heard about many new features of the updated software at WWDC in June. Now that Apple has had time to fine-tune the software and get feedback from developers, we’ll hear more concrete details about the new stuff, from Apple's Maps and navigation, to Siri improvements, Facebook integration, to the tweaks to Safari, Photos and Mail, and more.

• YouTube alternative. Apple will no longer feature YouTube as a default application on all iOS devices, Apple already acknowledged last month. Expect to hear more about what the YouTube video-watching experience on iOS will be like from now on.

• More about Passbook. This is Apple's new application that aims to duplicate the part of your wallet that holds everything except cash and credit cards: tickets, boarding passes, gift cards, reward cards, coupons, and travel reservations. Details about participating companies have been dribbling out, but we should get solid details regarding which airlines, hotels, stadiums, amusement parks, coupon-issuers and others that are officially on board with Passbook.

• App Store redesign. There's going to be a new look and new design for the mobile App Store. Emphasis will be placed on app recommendations through Apple's genius function, and will look a lot more like Chomp, which Apple bought earlier this year.

• Changes to search. This is a longshot, but since Apple's been busy excising its default apps list with anything Google-related, it wouldn't be a stretch to think Apple might move away from Google as the default search in the mobile Safari browser. It would be silly to remove Google outright, but Apple could easily make Google just one of many options for users to select for search, including Siri, Bing and other third-party sources.