I thought I'd order some smart tags to see what the first decent NFC apication I've come across can do.
Initially I was pretty impressed. Turn on NFC, wave the phone near a tag and Smart Connect pops up asking what you want the tag to trigger. Each event in Smart Connect has begin and end actions - begin is triggered by NFC detecting a tag and end is handled on the phone when you stop the event (there is Smart Connect item in the notification bar to make this really easy.)
So far so good, it's all really easy and slick to use.
The only problem is that the NFC detection only currently works if the phone screen is unlocked and on. This means if I want to leave a tag in the car to switch on my BT and start my navigation app, then I can't just get in and swipe the phone near it... I've got to unlock the phone first! Niggle!
For a first outing, this is still good so hopefully Sony will offer the ability to use tags without unlocking the phone at some point in the future.
Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is thinking of making a purchase.
On sgs3 it was the same as far as I remember and some custom roms had option in settings to work while screen off. Hopefully, for you, it will be ported/done for Xperia T also (aokp had that option and some other cm10 derivates)
Sent from my LT30p
If you want to take better advantage of NFC's potential, I'd recommend buying some generic tags and downloading NFC Task Launcher from the Play store. Generic tags are cheaper, has higher capacity, and NFC Task Launcher can do a lot more than Smart Connect. Combine it with Tasker and you can do some seriously cool ****.
yesyesimanoob said:
If you want to take better advantage of NFC's potential, I'd recommend buying some generic tags and downloading NFC Task Launcher from the Play store. Generic tags are cheaper, has higher capacity, and NFC Task Launcher can do a lot more than Smart Connect. Combine it with Tasker and you can do some seriously cool ****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can you get generic tags, any link maybe?
If my phone could trigger actions without being "under my actual monitoring" (On and unlocked) in reaction to NFC tags, I 'd consider that quite unsafe.
At least, there should be some kind of restriction system, like : you can trigger actions only on this particular list of "declared secure by the user" tags.
Maybe the software Yesyesimanoob (what a funny user name, sorry) speaks of can do it, i don't know.
Nickola
yesyesimanoob said:
If you want to take better advantage of NFC's potential, I'd recommend buying some generic tags and downloading NFC Task Launcher from the Play store. Generic tags are cheaper, has higher capacity, and NFC Task Launcher can do a lot more than Smart Connect. Combine it with Tasker and you can do some seriously cool ****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had a bit of a scare when my mate who has an SGS3 swiped his phone near one of my tags and his NFC task launcher detected and reprogrammed my tag so I couldn't use it.
Luckily Smart Tag Maker on the Play Store can fix them but it's a bit crap if just anyone can reprogramme them.
vid200 said:
Where can you get generic tags, any link maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get mine from tagsfordroid.com (US). I don't really know international sources well enough to suggest a reliable one, sorry, but the tagsfordroid.com ones are just rebranded "Mifare Classic" tags, so you might want to look for that. They have about 700+ bytes of usable capacity, so you can put more on a single tag than the Sony ones (48 bytes).
---------- Post added at 04:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------
emuX said:
Had a bit of a scare when my mate who has an SGS3 swiped his phone near one of my tags and his NFC task launcher detected and reprogrammed my tag so I couldn't use it.
Luckily Smart Tag Maker on the Play Store can fix them but it's a bit crap if just anyone can reprogramme them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about the Smart Tags as I don't have one, but NFC Task Launcher can make a generic tag read-only, so once you've programmed it, no one (including yourself) can reprogram it ever again.
---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:27 PM ----------
nickola said:
If my phone could trigger actions without being "under my actual monitoring" (On and unlocked) in reaction to NFC tags, I 'd consider that quite unsafe.
At least, there should be some kind of restriction system, like : you can trigger actions only on this particular list of "declared secure by the user" tags.
Maybe the software Yesyesimanoob (what a funny user name, sorry) speaks of can do it, i don't know.
Nickola
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be rooted to get NFC to work while the screen is off, and that's only available for certain devices right now, with a custom APK. Maybe it will come to the Xperia T eventually, who knows.
nickola said:
If my phone could trigger actions without being "under my actual monitoring" (On and unlocked) in reaction to NFC tags, I 'd consider that quite unsafe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed that blanket access for all tags would be bad so some sort of control would be required (e.g. You can enable certain tags to work without unlocking the phone - such as the Blue (car) tag.)
It is really cool but I have no idea how can it be used to make me convenient because before you scan the nfc tag, you should open your screen and unlock it.
niuzhd said:
It is really cool but I have no idea how can it be used to make me convenient because before you scan the nfc tag, you should open your screen and unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works best when you want to trigger multiple actions. For example, when I get into my car, I swipe a tag to activate in-car mode, which involves:
- Maximize media volume
- Lower notification volume
- Activate gesture media controls (via a Tasker profile, or alternatively you can try the app Wave Control for this)
- Activate SMS reader/auto-responder
Swipe the same tag again before exiting car to disable car mode.
yesyesimanoob said:
Works best when you want to trigger multiple actions. For example, when I get into my car, I swipe a tag to activate in-car mode, which involves:
- Maximize media volume
- Lower notification volume
- Activate gesture media controls (via a Tasker profile, or alternatively you can try the app Wave Control for this)
- Activate SMS reader/auto-responder
Swipe the same tag again before exiting car to disable car mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using Smart Connect or NFC task launcher? (My smart connect doesn't switch the options off when you swipe a 2nd time.)
emuX said:
Are you using Smart Connect or NFC task launcher? (My smart connect doesn't switch the options off when you swipe a 2nd time.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC Task Launcher. It has an option to create a "switch", which will alternate between two series of tasks each time you swipe it. Of course this means you're writing more data to the tag, which the Sony Smart Tags are probably too small to contain and hence Smart Connect doesn't provide the option.
I ordered these: http://www.amazon.com/NFC-Tag-Bundl...qid=1350520268&sr=8-1&keywords=tags+for+droid
They came quickly despite not being Prime Eligible. The quality is very nice and I look forward to testing them out when I get my phone later this month,
2 pices:
Ebay link
In case anyone is interested, I worked out how to write protect my Smart tags so they can't be hijacked by anyone who wants to write to them.
First, you need to read the existing content. (I used NFC Tag Writer by NXP, as it allows you to copy the content straight to the clipboard.) I then used NFC Writer by Tagstand to write the same content again but with the write protect option set. I had to write the content twice to be able to write protect - first in the normal way (no option to protect) then again via history with the option to lock in top right of the screen.
I've now locked all mine so they will always be the correct IDs for SmartConnect.
nickola said:
If my phone could trigger actions without being "under my actual monitoring" (On and unlocked) in reaction to NFC tags, I 'd consider that quite unsafe.
At least, there should be some kind of restriction system, like : you can trigger actions only on this particular list of "declared secure by the user" tags.
Maybe the software Yesyesimanoob (what a funny user name, sorry) speaks of can do it, i don't know.
Nickola
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's called "Turn NFC Off". It's built into every Android with NFC.
dragon_76 said:
It's called "Turn NFC Off". It's built into every Android with NFC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly. If NFC is OFF (and it definitely is on my phone), there is no reaction to any smart tag.
What I meant is, that there should be a possibility to specify a list of "user tags", the same way you can declare a Mac Addresses list on your WiFi access point/ISP router.
Anyway I've given up on using NFC.
Nickola
Smart Tags are much more beautiful than general ones...But may I ask how much u spent on them?I found them very cheap in local stores and thought that they were not original ones.
nickola said:
Not exactly. If NFC is OFF (and it definitely is on my phone), there is no reaction to any smart tag.
What I meant is, that there should be a possibility to specify a list of "user tags", the same way you can declare a Mac Addresses list on your WiFi access point/ISP router.
Anyway I've given up on using NFC.
Nickola
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC doesn't serialise chips. Any "user tag" could be cloned, passive devices being much more difficult than active. RFID, and NFC by extension, were designed to be simple. The fact that companies or individuals have chosen to use the technology in a way that may compromise security is irrelevant to the technology. Its biggest security feature is that it requires physical access within just a few centimetres, and it requires one device to be "smart" and know what to do with any information in a tag.
You can always put a little tinfoil hat on your phone to match your own...
To be honest, I never pay much attention to Smart Tag until I saw this thread, LOL
Is there any way to use the three Skip dots with other NFC apps? Everytime I'm in NFC Task Launcher and touch one of the dots to the phone, the Motorola Skip setup pops up. When I cancel out of that, NFC Task Launcher doesn't recognize the dot. I've tried turning off the service, but it just respawns. I've got some more NFC tags on order that should show up next week. Is it going to do this with all NFC tags, or is there something about the Motorola ones that kick that setup off?
chrobb said:
Is there any way to use the three Skip dots with other NFC apps? Everytime I'm in NFC Task Launcher and touch one of the dots to the phone, the Motorola Skip setup pops up. When I cancel out of that, NFC Task Launcher doesn't recognize the dot. I've tried turning off the service, but it just respawns. I've got some more NFC tags on order that should show up next week. Is it going to do this with all NFC tags, or is there something about the Motorola ones that kick that setup off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious of the answer too.
Bump!
chrobb said:
Is there any way to use the three Skip dots with other NFC apps? Everytime I'm in NFC Task Launcher and touch one of the dots to the phone, the Motorola Skip setup pops up. When I cancel out of that, NFC Task Launcher doesn't recognize the dot. I've tried turning off the service, but it just respawns. I've got some more NFC tags on order that should show up next week. Is it going to do this with all NFC tags, or is there something about the Motorola ones that kick that setup off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the same question..
even i put a normal nfc tag into a moto skip, it cant be recognize too.
The skip tags have a specific header that the Moto X recognizes as a skip tag. If you open the skip app and try a non skip tag, it will find it and turn it into a skip if you choose. The problem is, the skip app will write protect the tag and it will only be a skip tag. The official tags are the same...they will always be a skip and nothing else.
Now I have an app that someone made to write the header to a normal tag, but without the write protect. So, the tag can be rewritten, but only with another NFC device...the Moto X will only see it as a Skip tag.
I can upload the app, once I find the thread and original creator. I don't want to post something without giving them props.
Seeing as they're just NFC tags, I'd love to use my Skip Dots for other uses than unlocking my phone. I don't see a point in having 4 ways to skip.
Epsilon707 said:
Seeing as they're just NFC tags, I'd love to use my Skip Dots for other uses than unlocking my phone. I don't see a point in having 4 ways to skip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The long and short of it is, no you can't reprogram them to use them but there is an app called NFC Retag which can help you out. NFC retag will read the tag ID and allow you to active different things on your phone. This disadvantage is to do this you can't have the Moto Skip installed as the original programming from the Skip dots will still activate the unlock.
I just bought a bunch of NFC tags, and I can't get them to write with the LG G2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2457159 we were hijacking that thread so I moved it here.
Has anyone successfully written an NFC tag with any variant of the LG G2 (most notably the Verizon).??
What software did you use?
What type of NFC tags did you use?
I am wondering if there is either an incompatibility with NFC Task Launcher or with the TAGS I bought which are here
http://www.amazon.com/NFC-Tags-Anti-Metal-Waterproof-Compatible/dp/B00B42K5BM/ref=sr_1_4?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1380128869&sr=1-4&keywords=nfc+tags
Anyone have any thoughts?
I was able to write to a tag with Tag Launcher. It happens to be a tag I got through them. Using NFC Tag Info app, this is how it is identified:
Type A
NTAG203
NFC Forum Type 2 Tag
Maximum Message Size 142Byte
I just programmed it to put phone in Desktop dock mode.
jasonsf said:
I was able to write to a tag with Tag Launcher. It happens to be a tag I got through them. Using NFC Tag Info app, this is how it is identified:
Type A
NTAG203
NFC Forum Type 2 Tag
Maximum Message Size 142Byte
I just programmed it to put phone in Desktop dock mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What location on the phone was the tag.. maybe I just need to touch it to a different place.
dlang123 said:
What location on the phone was the tag.. maybe I just need to touch it to a different place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been playing with different locations. It seems to work best a quarter to a third up from the bottom. Sometimes is works near the buttons. I think the inductive charging coils on the Verizon version are blocking the NFC antenna.
Thanks, I'll try that again tonight before sending the tags back.
So apparently what I bought was :
MIFARE 1K
and not the NTAG203s...
going to try and do some research.. I have never looked into NFC tags before. Never been on my radar except the concept. Wonder if they are not compatible..
dlang123 said:
So apparently what I bought was :
MIFARE 1K
and not the NTAG203s...
going to try and do some research.. I have never looked into NFC tags before. Never been on my radar except the concept. Wonder if they are not compatible..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I vaguely remember when the Nexus 4 came out there were discussions about MIFARE and compatibility. I really don't knwo the details, but here's an article about it. http://www.andytags.com/nfc-tags-compatibility-issues.html#.UkNmQ8afjA0
Not sure where this phone sits in this issue.
Yeah, I think that they are not supported.
Supposedly the 4ks work on all phones, I Ordered some more.. will try them when they get here. But definitely these come up as unsupported.. what a bummer.
I also (blindly) purchased some MIFARE tags from amazon only to find out that they do not work. I get the error in NFC Task Launcher, "Could not write to this tag. It will still work, but you may see the chooser when tapping it." I did some research and found that these types of tags will work for simple phone automation tasks however, the task that I setup was a complex URL which will not work. Will be ordering some NTAG203 tags and will report back. Quick question, are the samsung tectiles NTAG203?
mjfan82 said:
I also (blindly) purchased some MIFARE tags from amazon only to find out that they do not work. I get the error in NFC Task Launcher, "Could not write to this tag. It will still work, but you may see the chooser when tapping it." I did some research and found that these types of tags will work for simple phone automation tasks however, the task that I setup was a complex URL which will not work. Will be ordering some NTAG203 tags and will report back. Quick question, are the samsung tectiles NTAG203?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stayed up way to late last night learning about NFC tags.. so NXP use to make all NFC hardware for phones, and they came out with the MiFare 1ks.. but they were proprietary.
Then when BroadCom made some NFC hardware for phones, they just used what the NFC specs were, which were the NTAG203s (they don't have a lot of memory, 130bytes or so) Topaz 512, and I read that the MiFare 4ks are also compatible.
Samsung's site identifies Tectiles as MiFare 1k. TecTiles 2 I think are, but I can not really find them or any info on them.
My 4ks were expensive, but I will let you know soon if they work.
Just to follow up:
Wanted to confirm that the NTAG203 tags are working with the G2 :victory:: I would post the link but I'm not allowed. lol
Cool. Now if we can find some Topaz and then I'll let you know next week about the Mifare 4k's.
You can get both NTAG203 and Topaz 512 at AndyTags - www.andytags.com
With my Moto X, I cannot seem to program an NFC tag...is there a trick to doing this.
I got a Skip and three tags with my Moto X and have quickly learned that I will not use the function the Skip is designed for.
However, I would like to use the three tags for various things.
I have tried using the app 'Trigger' to create tasks, but every time the app tells me to place my phone over a tag to program it (and I place the phone over one of the tags), it takes me directly to the Motorola Skip app to either setup or add another NFC tag to skip....very frustrating.
You need some other tags or use some other device to reprogram these ones (if they're not read-only).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2404256
Questions go in the Q&A section.
KJ said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2404256
Questions go in the Q&A section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the Q&A section... (Apologies if this wasn't here before and got moved).
To the OP : moto's skip dot NFC stickers are read-only. They've been locked.
You can find lots of different nfc stickers that are read-write enabled all around on the internet. They're pretty cheap.
If you don't want to use the skip, then it and the dots are pretty useless to you.
tapa'd on my moto x