Tectiles: neat idea for NFC-enabled phones [Android Police]

[chrisk]

Neat new gadget from Samsung...little tiles that you can place around your car, home, work, etc. that will trigger an action on your phone using NFC:

Samsung, who is quick to note it has the largest NFC-enabled userbase, aims to change that with TecTiles: NFC tags that you can program to perform tasks when you place your phone near them...
...
The concept sounds why-didn't-anyone-do-this-sooner awesome. For $15, you can get a pack of five TecTiles. You can then program them to perform a variety of actions when your phone is placed on them. So, as a sample application, you could have one tile on your desk at work that is programmed to send your spouse a message saying, "Leaving the office now. Be home soon!" Tap your phone to the tile when you leave and boom. Spousal duties fulfilled!

[Updated] Samsung Introduces TecTiles: NFC Tags You Can Program With Your NFC-Enabled Smartphone

A small part of me would like Samsung to patent this, and then allow all Android phones to use it license-free (shutting out Apple) but that seems wrong somehow.

[Arinoth]

Nothing wrong with that, interesting idea none the less though.

[chrisk]

Well, Samsung is allowing all NFC phones to use it...not just Samsung ones. The app that controls it is supposed to be in the Play Market/Store.

Thinking of this, the possibilities are endless...some other uses listed on the site:
- disable/enable bluetooth when in a location automatically
- power-saving mode when at a location
- alarm clock mode when placed on nightstand
- auto silence when in briefcase/at a meeting (this could silence many NFC phones at once if placed on a meeting table)

[supaflyx3]

Had to do a double take, read it as Testicles, anyways looks cool.

[Perineum]

Very awesome idea, but why does Samsung keep copying that innovator, Apple?

[JJThomp]

Sounds neat... I personally will just take the 15 seconds to perform the action myself but I can see there being a decent market for this.

[Galcobar]

Funny, BlackBerries have had all sorts of actions triggered by slipping the phone into/out of a holster for some years.

[Perineum]

RIM better start suing!

[ultraman7k]

isn't this kind of the same idea that the twine is built on?

Twine : Listen to your world, talk to the Internet by Supermechanical — Kickstarter