Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nanotubes sniff out rotting fruit, your dorm room might be next]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/MIT-research-nanotubes-detect-rotting-produce/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/MIT-research-nanotubes-detect-rotting-produce/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/MIT-research-nanotubes-detect-rotting-produce/#comments MIT-research-nanotubes-detect-rotting-produce

Our favorite ultra-skinny molecules have performed a lot of useful functions over the years, but keeping fruit flies away was never one of them. Now MIT scientists, with US Army funding, have discovered a way to give these nanotubes the canine-like sense of smell needed to stop produce spoilage and waste. Doping sheets of them with copper and polystyrene introduces a speed-trap for electrons, slowing them and allowing the detection of ethylene gas vented during ripening. A sensor produced from such a substance could be combined with an RFID chip, giving grocers a cheaper way to monitor freshness and discount produce before it's too late. If that works, the team may target mold and bacteria detection next, giving you scientific proof that your roommate needs to wash his socks.

Nanotubes sniff out rotting fruit, your dorm room might be next originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon nanotubesCarbonNanotubesfruitfruits and vegetablesFruitsAndVegetablesgroceriesgrocery storesGroceryStoresmassachusetts institute of technologyMassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologyMITMIT scientistsMitScientistsnanotubespolystyreneresearchRFIDrfid tagRfidTagscienceUS ArmyUsArmyTue, 01 May 2012 02:25:00 EST<![CDATA[ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/shelfxs-vending-fridge-nixes-the-cashier-uses-qr-codes-rfid-t/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/shelfxs-vending-fridge-nixes-the-cashier-uses-qr-codes-rfid-t/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/shelfxs-vending-fridge-nixes-the-cashier-uses-qr-codes-rfid-t/#comments Image

QR codes and RFID tags aren't uncommon when it comes to automated payment applications, and now Colorado-based ShelfX has purposed them for its new wireless-equipped Vending Fridges. Eliminating the need for a cashier -- or cash, for that matter -- each unit allows you to purchase any items packed inside by scanning a QR code with your phone (using the company's app) or an RFID badge. Upon presenting either method to the machine, it's able to tell who you are and unlocks its door. From there, you can grab whatever you'd like, while ShelfX automatically pulls funds your account for what's been removed. The system is also smart enough to know when goods are put back, so you won't have to worry about being charged while making up your mind. All of the money goes through ShelfX, allowing it to take "a small percentage" for itself before sending a monthly payment to owners. The Vending Fridge is currently on sale for $600, and a retrofitting kit for your own fridge is also available for half that amount -- no word on whether it has kid-blocking or crab-proofing options, though. You'll find more information in the press release just after the break.

Continue reading ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'

ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beveragescoldfoodfood serviceFoodServicefridgeqr codeQrCoderfidshelfxvendingvending machineVendingMachinevideoSat, 28 Apr 2012 02:35:00 EST<![CDATA[OpenWays adds NFC to its Mobile Key for hotels]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/openways-adds-nfc-to-its-mobile-key-for-hotels/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/openways-adds-nfc-to-its-mobile-key-for-hotels/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/openways-adds-nfc-to-its-mobile-key-for-hotels/#comments OpenWays already got the worlds of smartphones and hotel keys more acquainted, now it wants to make them even more intimate. Working with NXP semiconductors, OpenWays has announced it's bringing a little near-field magic to its Mobile Key solution. Now, you can receive your room number direct to your phone, saunter past reception and wave yourself safely past the door. The makers claim that the optimized antennas mean it can work with any phone, carrier and lock system, effectively future-proofing it. So, next time you're off on your travels, best be a little more careful, as this is one room key reception are unlikely to replace should you lose it. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading OpenWays adds NFC to its Mobile Key for hotels

OpenWays adds NFC to its Mobile Key for hotels originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accesshotel keyHotelKeyminipostmobile hotel keyMobileHotelKeynfcnfc hotel keyNfcHotelKeyopenwaysOpenWays Mobile KeyOpenwaysMobileKeyrfidsecuritytravelTue, 28 Feb 2012 15:12:00 EST<![CDATA[South Korea's Live Park uses RFID and Kinect to bring your Holodeck fantasies one step nearer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/south-koreas-live-park-uses-rfid-and-kinect-to-bring-your-holod/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/south-koreas-live-park-uses-rfid-and-kinect-to-bring-your-holod/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/south-koreas-live-park-uses-rfid-and-kinect-to-bring-your-holod/#comments All those long, long drives to Florida in the family station wagon seemed worth it at the time, but now that we've found out that those lucky South Koreans have another crazy theme-park, we might just change our minds. Located near Seoul, Live Park uses 3D video, holograms and augmented reality, interacting with RFID wrist bands and Kinect sensors to stitch together a continuous immersive story. You (and your avatar!) have 65 attractions, over seven themed zones, and the world's biggest interactive 360 degree stereoscopic theater to wave, jump and shout your way through. Two years and $13 million in the making, Live Park's creator d'strict is now looking to license the concept out internationally, with locations in China and Singapore already earmarked. We're not sure we could handle that long of a family drive just yet, but with a Hollywood entertainment "powerhouse" reportedly nibbling, maybe we won't have to.

Continue reading South Korea's Live Park uses RFID and Kinect to bring your Holodeck fantasies one step nearer

South Korea's Live Park uses RFID and Kinect to bring your Holodeck fantasies one step nearer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D video3dVideoadventureamusement parksAmusementParksdstrictGyeonggi-dohologramholographicinteractiveKinectlive parkLiveParkmicrosoft KinectMicrosoftKinectRFIDsouth koreaSouthKoreatheme parktheme-parkThemeParkFri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Nabaztag robotic rabbits rise from the ashes at midnight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/nabaztag-robotic-rabbits-rise-from-the-ashes-at-midnight/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/nabaztag-robotic-rabbits-rise-from-the-ashes-at-midnight/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/nabaztag-robotic-rabbits-rise-from-the-ashes-at-midnight/#comments
Twas a sad day when Mindscape was forced to shutter the online service used by its collection of Nabaztag robotic rabbits -- as the tale goes, the domain's demise left the tiny, Linux-running hares inanimate, mute and nearly useless. But just five short months later, things are starting to look up. Via email, the company has confirmed that nabaztag.com will come (back) alive on midnight of December 24th (a timezone was not specified), allowing Nabaztag users to communicate with their coney comrades. "At midnight you can turn your rabbits on without changing anything," writes the bunny builder. That's not all. The company is promising to "enrich" the devic's modules with "community contributions." If you're a Nabaztag owner, step away from that eggnog and put on a pot of coffee... Christmas is coming a full 24-hours early.

Nabaztag robotic rabbits rise from the ashes at midnight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmbientbunnycadburyhomebrewkarotzlinuxMindscapeNabaztagnabaztag.comNabaztag:tagrabbitrabitrfidserversource codeSourceCodeThierry BensoussanThierryBensoussanvioletweatherwebcamFri, 23 Dec 2011 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Beat Box table turns RFID tagging into beautiful music]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/beat-box-table-turns-rfid-tagging-into-beautiful-music/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/beat-box-table-turns-rfid-tagging-into-beautiful-music/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/beat-box-table-turns-rfid-tagging-into-beautiful-music/#comments RFID -- it's not just for creepy tracking anymore. Don't believe us? Check out this sweet table that turns RFID-tagged discs into music when dropped into one of four bowls. The discs are made from vinyl records, and each bowl has an RFID reader connected to an Arduino. Dropping a disc into a bowl triggers a drum, synth, guitar or bass loop. There's also an LED by each of the bowls to indicate which loop you'll be hearing. Video of the table in action, after the break.

Continue reading Beat Box table turns RFID tagging into beautiful music

Beat Box table turns RFID tagging into beautiful music originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinogarage bandGarageBandloopmusicrfidvinylWed, 14 Dec 2011 21:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Charles Walton, father of RFID technology, dies at 89]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/charles-walton-father-of-rfid-technology-dies-at-89/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/charles-walton-father-of-rfid-technology-dies-at-89/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/charles-walton-father-of-rfid-technology-dies-at-89/#comments
We have some somber news to bring you today: Charles Walton, the man who pioneered the rise of RFID technology, has died at the age of 89. The Cornell-educated entrepreneur garnered more than 50 patents over the course of his career, but it only took one to cement his legacy -- a 1973 patent for a "Portable radio frequency emitting identifier." It may not have been the first RFID-related invention, but Walton's breakthrough would prove to be foundational, spawning many similar patents, including ten from the creator himself. It all began at the Army Signal Corps, where Walton worked after studying electrical engineering at Cornell and earning a Master's degrees in electrical engineering and economics of engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology. In 1960, he accepted a position at IBM, where he conducted research on disc drives before founding his own company, Proximity Devices, in 1970.

It was at Proximity where many of Walton's patents came to life, including his initial design, which he developed alongside the Schlage lock company and eventually licensed to other firms, as well. He would go on to earn millions from his technology, though as Venture Beat points out, he may have been a bit too far ahead of the curve. Many of Walton's patents expired by the time RFID devices caught on with big spenders like the Department of Defense and Wal-Mart, thereby excluding him from any subsequent windfall. But that didn't seem to bother him too much, as evidenced in a 2004 interview with Venture Beat: "I feel good about it and gratified I could make a contribution."

Charles Walton, father of RFID technology, dies at 89 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Army Signal CorpsArmySignalCorpscharles waltonCharlesWaltoncharlie waltonCharlieWaltondeathdepartment of defenseDepartmentOfDefenseentrepreneurIBMinnovationinventorobitobituarypatentproximityproximity devicesProximityDevicesRFIDschlagewal martwalmartwirelessTue, 29 Nov 2011 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Doh uses RFID and Arduino to help you remember your wallet, continues search for the 'Any Key']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/doh-uses-rfid-and-arduino-to-help-you-remember-your-wallet-cont/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/doh-uses-rfid-and-arduino-to-help-you-remember-your-wallet-cont/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/doh-uses-rfid-and-arduino-to-help-you-remember-your-wallet-cont/#comments If you can dream it, Arduino can help you build it -- perhaps with a dash of MakerBot thrown in for good measure. The latest homebrew project to hit the ol' inbox sounds an alarm whenever you leave a room without a registered item. Doh (named in Homer Simpson's honor, we presume), uses a trio of devices to track items that you usually travel with, like your keys or a cellphone. After you've assembled the rather complex contraption, you affix color-coded RFID tags to your gadgets, before registering them with the Arduino-based host. If you leave the room without all of the items that you've registered as a "grouping," a door handle-mounted display will indicate what's missing by flashing its color and sounding an alarm. If you've forgotten multiple items, the display will cycle through the associated colors. There's also a two-way "buzzing tag" that beeps until it's found, if you wish to add that to your collection. It's not a turnkey solution by any means, but unlike Homer, at least you're not being tasked with preventing nuclear meltdown. And if you're looking for a time-proven alternative, a pen and a pad of stickies should do. Jump past the break for a demo video, banjo-equipped soundtrack and all.

Continue reading Doh uses RFID and Arduino to help you remember your wallet, continues search for the 'Any Key'

Doh uses RFID and Arduino to help you remember your wallet, continues search for the 'Any Key' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinodohmakerbotMakerbot IndustriesMakerbotIndustriesrfidrfid tagRFID TaggingRFID tagsRfidTagRfidTaggingRfidTagstagstracktrackingvideowirelesswireless trackingWirelessTrackingMon, 21 Nov 2011 04:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Spyro figurines bridge the console divide, bring flame-grilled peace to the world]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/17/spyro-figurines-bridge-the-console-divide-bring-flame-grilled-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/17/spyro-figurines-bridge-the-console-divide-bring-flame-grilled-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/17/spyro-figurines-bridge-the-console-divide-bring-flame-grilled-p/#comments Kids lacking the imagination to bring their own toys to life now have the option of letting a games console do it for them. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure has teleported into stores, boxed with three toy figures and a 'portal device' that brings them to life in-game. The bundle totals up at $70, and Activision is billing it as the "first true cross-platform game", with the toys playing nice across Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, 3DS and iOS versions. The statuettes, which connect to the portal peripheral through embedded RFID tags, also store game data across platforms. The business plan presumably involves groups of kids investing in Spyro's latest yarn and swapping characters amongst themselves, while holding onto their own precious in-game achievements. If your little brother has trouble trading with friends who couldn't care less about the antics of lava-belching monsters, they can always can stump up an extra $8 for new figures. Click 'Read more' for some explanatory cartoon violence.

Continue reading Spyro figurines bridge the console divide, bring flame-grilled peace to the world

Spyro figurines bridge the console divide, bring flame-grilled peace to the world originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DSactivisioncross platform gamecross-platformCrossPlatformGamefigurefiguresgamingGaming PeripheralsGamingPeripheralsiOSkidsnintendo 3dsNintendo3dsperipheralPlayStation 3Playstation3RFIDSkylandersSkylanders: Spyros AdventureSkylanders:SpyrosAdventurespyrotoytoysvideoWiiXbox 360Xbox360Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Teamlab's hangers use RFID to take shopping into the 21st century (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/teamlabs-hangers-use-rfid-to-take-shopping-into-the-21st-centur/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/teamlabs-hangers-use-rfid-to-take-shopping-into-the-21st-centur/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/teamlabs-hangers-use-rfid-to-take-shopping-into-the-21st-centur/#comments Ever heard of an UltraTechnologist before? Yeah, neither have we, but a group of those imaginatively monikered folks have banded their engineering and design skills together to update the shopping experience. Issued from their Teamlab art collective, a batch of RFID-embedded hangers were put to the interactive test at Vanquish, a men's store in Japan's uber fashionable Shibuya district. So, how do these newfangled clothes hangers work? Garments lifted off the rack by a curious customer send a signal to a nearby screen that'll display a front and back preview of the selected outfit -- fitted to an impossibly chiseled model's body, of course. The Teamlab hangers can also be used to manipulate a shop's booming soundtrack and lighting, although we imagine that could get quite messy. So, if you count yourself amongst the claustrophobes that can't handle those encroaching dressing room walls or if you simply take your style cues from photoshopped images of perfection then, hey -- this tech's for you.

Continue reading Teamlab's hangers use RFID to take shopping into the 21st century (video)

Teamlab's hangers use RFID to take shopping into the 21st century (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hangersinteractiveJapanRFIDShibuyashoppingTeamlab hangersTeamlabHangersultratechnologistsVanquishvideoFri, 14 Oct 2011 14:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/arduino-ipod-and-rfid-make-beatiful-handicapped-accesible-musi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/arduino-ipod-and-rfid-make-beatiful-handicapped-accesible-musi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/arduino-ipod-and-rfid-make-beatiful-handicapped-accesible-musi/#comments Magic Music Table RFID There isn't actually much new about this awesome DIY project, but it's the way it brings the various parts together that has us impressed. Designed by Instructables user XenonJohn, with help from software developer David Findlay, the Magic Music Table RFID was designed to let a child with a disability select albums to play back from an iPod touch playlist. The iPod is connected to an Arduino, which tells the device to start playing a particular track based on a selection made with RFID cards. The whole setup is built into a coffee table and the RFID tags are sandwiched inside clear plastic blocks with the album art. You can see it in action in the video after the break and, if you've got the patience and skill, you can build your own using the directions at the source link.

Continue reading Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video)

Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaccessibleapplearduinoarduino megaArduinoMegadiydo it yourselfDoItYourselfipodipod touchIpodTouchmusicradio frequency identificationRadioFrequencyIdentificationrfidWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/polyamorous-google-wallet-adds-visa-to-its-arsenal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/polyamorous-google-wallet-adds-visa-to-its-arsenal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/polyamorous-google-wallet-adds-visa-to-its-arsenal/#comments To the delight of shopaholics everywhere, Visa has announced that it's jumped on the Google Wallet bandwagon -- giving card users access to the snazzy, new NFC payment system. Much like MasterCard's announcement last week, the licensing agreement will allow Visa users to link their credit, debit and prepaid cards to Google's offering for fast mobile payments in places that accept the service. The credit card company has dabbled in mobile payments before through payWave, but with plans to integrate into GW, we'll surely be seeing more of it in the near future. As momentum over the NFC-powered mobile phones grows, it will be interesting to see if the Real Housewives can part with their phones long enough for their assistants to pay for those Manolos. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal

Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentscredit cardcredit cardsCreditCardCreditCardsgooglegoogle walletGoogleWalletisismastercardmobile walletmobilepostcrossMobileWalletNFCpaypasspaywaveRFIDvisaTue, 20 Sep 2011 00:34:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Times' magic mirror helps you get dressed, puts the 'wall' in 'paywall' (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/05/new-york-times-magic-mirror-helps-you-get-dressed-puts-the-wa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/05/new-york-times-magic-mirror-helps-you-get-dressed-puts-the-wa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/05/new-york-times-magic-mirror-helps-you-get-dressed-puts-the-wa/#comments Forget crosswords and Krugman, because the New York Times has created a new bathroom companion that looks infinitely more entertaining than either of them. Like some of its Snow White-style predecessors, the Times' "magic mirror" prototype uses Microsoft Kinect to detect and follow your movements, while deploying voice recognition technology to execute your commands. With this omniscient slab affixed to your wall, you can surf the web, flip through your wardrobe and send reassuring e-mails to your teenage daughter, whom you should have driven to school a good 30 minutes ago. An RFID reader, meanwhile, can recognize tagged pharmaceuticals or other products, allowing you to instantly access information on your prescription meds by placing them in front of the reflective LCD. You could also use the mirror to browse through the Times' full slate of articles and video content, meaning you can read about extravagant weekend getaways and urban gentrification from the standing comfort of your sink. Unfortunately for all mankind, the magic mirror is still in the prototype phase and the NYT's Research & Development Group has yet to offer a timetable for its release -- but you can see it in action for yourself, after the break.

Continue reading New York Times' magic mirror helps you get dressed, puts the 'wall' in 'paywall' (video)

New York Times' magic mirror helps you get dressed, puts the 'wall' in 'paywall' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bathroomemailLCDmagicmagic mirrorMagicMirrormicrosoft kinectMicrosoftKinectmirrormotion sensorMotionSensornew york timesnewsNewYorkTimesnytproof of conceptProofOfConceptresearch and developmentResearchAndDevelopmentrfidrfid readerRfidReaderthe new york timesTheNewYorkTimesvideovoice recognitionVoiceRecognitionMon, 05 Sep 2011 20:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp RW-T107 Android tablet packs NFC reader, will accept payments in Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/sharp-rw-t107-android-tablet-packs-nfc-reader-will-accept-payme/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/sharp-rw-t107-android-tablet-packs-nfc-reader-will-accept-payme/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/23/sharp-rw-t107-android-tablet-packs-nfc-reader-will-accept-payme/#comments Tools like Square's credit card reader and Apple's proprietary iOS retail system make mobile payments possible in the US, but they're hardly streamlined, or widespread. A new Gingerbread tablet from Sharp -- the RW-T107 -- sets out to simplify payments in Japan with its built-in NFC reader. You won't be using your own tablet to pay -- instead, retailers will utilize point of sale apps to process transactions, without a customer ever needing to swipe their credit card. RFID payment cards, like Sony's FeliCa, have been used throughout Japan for the last decade, so consumers are already familiar with the technology and ready to make payments. There's no word on what retailers will expect to pay to add Sharp's tablet to their checkout mix, but with the company set to release only 5,000 devices per month (and no plans to introduce them to the US), we're not planning to ditch our cash just yet.

Sharp RW-T107 Android tablet packs NFC reader, will accept payments in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid tabletAndroidTabletFeliCagingerbreadjapanmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcnfc paymentnfc paymentsNfcPaymentNfcPaymentsrfidRW-T107sharpsharp RW-T107sharp tabletSharpRw-t107SharpTabletSony FeliCaSonyFelicatablettabletsTue, 23 Aug 2011 01:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiny RFID amulet stores medical records, makes paramedics' lives easier]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/tiny-rfid-amulet-stores-medical-records-makes-paramedics-lives/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/tiny-rfid-amulet-stores-medical-records-makes-paramedics-lives/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/tiny-rfid-amulet-stores-medical-records-makes-paramedics-lives/#commentsMedical RFIDUsing RFID to store medical records, ultimately making the jobs of paramedics and doctors that much easier, is hardly a new concept. But, for the most part, such devices have been limited to clinical trials. Asahi Kasei Corp. is hoping to change that with the debut of a tiny, 3cm-square charm that can be read by a computer or smartphone. In addition to basic info, such as name, birth date, and blood type, the chip could transmit links to more storage-intensive data like X-rays images. Instead of building out a proprietary system, the company is relying on established technology called FeliCa from Sony. That means the device will enjoy broad compatibility with existing products, and should be inexpensive to produce. Asahi Kasei hopes to begin selling the medical amulets to cities and hospitals within a year, for as little as ¥2,000 (around $25).

Tiny RFID amulet stores medical records, makes paramedics' lives easier originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Asahi KaseiAsahiKaseifelicahealthhealth careHealthCarehospitalmedicalmedical recordsMedicalRecordsmedicineparamedicsrfidsonyMon, 08 Aug 2011 04:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Viatag NFC system pays parking lot fees with an RFID tag, saves lives]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/viatag-nfc-system-pays-parking-lot-fees-with-an-rfid-tag-saves/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/viatag-nfc-system-pays-parking-lot-fees-with-an-rfid-tag-saves/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/viatag-nfc-system-pays-parking-lot-fees-with-an-rfid-tag-saves/#comments Paying for parking isn't exactly a fun experience, but Germany's Fraunhofer Institute is doing its best to make it slightly less painful, with Viatag -- an NFC system that allows you shell out your hard earned cash without even reaching for your wallet. The setup is relatively simple, consisting of a small RFID tag, compatible transceivers and a centralized database. Once attached to your car's windshield, the tag communicates with the transceivers installed within a given parking lot, alerting the system whenever your vehicle enters or leaves. An application running on the central server, meanwhile, keeps track of how much time you spend in the lot, and charges your debit card accordingly. Researchers have already installed Viatag at car parks in Essen, Duisburg and Munich, and are hoping to expand it to other locations. It might not be as sophisticated as some of the other automotive communications systems we've seen, but it could come in handy during those moments when you really don't feel like swearing at a parking meter. Cruise past the break for the full PR.

Continue reading Viatag NFC system pays parking lot fees with an RFID tag, saves lives

Viatag NFC system pays parking lot fees with an RFID tag, saves lives originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carconveniencefraunhoferfraunhofer instituteFraunhoferInstitutegermanymoneynear field communicationnear-field communicationNear-fieldCommunicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcparkparkingparking lotsParkingLotspaymentrfidrfid tagRfidTagtransportFri, 05 Aug 2011 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Did the Samsung Galaxy S II with NFC just hit the FCC?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/did-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-with-nfc-just-hit-the-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/did-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-with-nfc-just-hit-the-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/did-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-with-nfc-just-hit-the-fcc/#comments Hooray, another Samsung phone made it through the FCC, and it looks like it could be another Galaxy S II variant. No, it's not the Tegra 2-clad version. Nor is it the one with WiMAX. Heck, it's not even the GT-i9100 that showed up in March. Nay, it's the Samsung i777, a new form of the phone sequel we've been pulling our hair out in anticipation for. What's so great about this candidate? It's rocking an NFC antenna on the battery cover and utilizes 850 / 1900 bands in the WCDMA / HSPA variety, making it a tasty target for users on AT&T, Bell, Rogers, or Telus. The phone's dimensions are identical with Europe's current model, which nearly seals the deal on its likely association with the Galaxy S II lineup. Annoyed that this beauty is cradled in some FCC tester's hands and not yours? Fret not, August is quickly approaching.

Did the Samsung Galaxy S II with NFC just hit the FCC? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1900mhz850mhzattbellfccgalaxy s 2galaxy s iiGalaxyS2GalaxySIinear field communicationsNearFieldCommunicationsnfcrfidrogerss 2s iiS2samsungsamsung galaxysamsung galaxy ssamsung galaxy s 2samsung galaxy s iiSamsungGalaxySamsungGalaxySSamsungGalaxyS2SamsungGalaxySIiSIitelusFri, 29 Jul 2011 00:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Mindscape pulls the server plug on Nabaztag, hands source code to developers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/28/mindscape-pulls-the-server-plug-on-nabaztag-hands-source-code-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/28/mindscape-pulls-the-server-plug-on-nabaztag-hands-source-code-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/28/mindscape-pulls-the-server-plug-on-nabaztag-hands-source-code-t/#comments Mindscape's ambient hare progenitors are officially headed off to that matrix briar patch in the sky. Turns out a battle with the server's host has left the company in a sticky financial situation, effectively shutting down support for the WiFi-enabled bunnies. In a recent YouTube announcement, CEO Thierry Bensoussan addressed the community's concerns, offering up source code that ensures a homebrew future for the Little Linux-Bunny Foo Foo forebears. Hobbyists hoping to snag that Nabaztag.com domain for themselves will instead have to accept a url redirect, as the site remains firmly under the software publisher's lock and key. But don't mourn your news reading, weather-forecasting buddy just yet, you can always replace it with the discounted love of lil' bro, Karotz.

Mindscape pulls the server plug on Nabaztag, hands source code to developers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ambientbunnycadburyhomebrewkarotzlinuxmindscapenabaztagrabbitrfidserversource codeSourceCodeThierry BensoussanThierryBensoussanvioletweatherwebcamThu, 28 Jul 2011 21:22:00 EST<![CDATA[RFID tags let you share waterpark photos on Facebook without leaving the lazy river]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/rfid-tags-let-you-share-waterpark-photos-on-facebook-without-lea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/rfid-tags-let-you-share-waterpark-photos-on-facebook-without-lea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/rfid-tags-let-you-share-waterpark-photos-on-facebook-without-lea/#comments See this happy couple? They're smiling because they're in love, they're at a waterpark, and they haven't contracted E. coli yet. They could also be chuckling with the knowledge that all 700 of their closest Facebook friends will soon see them canoodling in an artificial lagoon, thanks to a strange new photo-sharing program from Great Wolf Resorts. From now on, visitors to Great Wolf's Grand Mound lodge will be able to automatically post their vacation pics on Facebook, using only an RFID-equipped wristband. All they have to do is register their accounts at check-in, slap on their bands and head over to any of five kiosks stationed throughout the resort, where they can pose for pictures that will be instantly uploaded to their walls (along with captions). Immediately de-tagging yourself, however, remains a uniquely manual task. Wade past the break for the full PR.

Continue reading RFID tags let you share waterpark photos on Facebook without leaving the lazy river

RFID tags let you share waterpark photos on Facebook without leaving the lazy river originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookgreat wolf lodgegreat wolf resortGreatWolfLodgeGreatWolfResortkioskparkphotoRFIDrfid tagRfidTagsharingsocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingvacationwashingtonwater parkwaterparkWed, 29 Jun 2011 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[HP seeks NFC engineer for 'smartphone and tablet products']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/hp-seeks-nfc-engineer-for-smartphone-and-tablet-products/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/hp-seeks-nfc-engineer-for-smartphone-and-tablet-products/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/hp-seeks-nfc-engineer-for-smartphone-and-tablet-products/#comments HP's mystery-wrapped Touch-to-share functionality already does something very similar to Near Field Communication, but it looks like the company's not satisfied with its own tech and will be jumping into the rapidly growing field of companies embracing NFC. A new job listing that has popped up online this week invites applications for the position of NFC Design Engineer on HP's tablet and smartphone team. Responsibilities include the design, testing, and debugging of NFC antennae and systems, but also expand to "support of product in field," indicating that HP is working on an aggressive roadmap here. Don't take our word for it, though, the job advert also advises prospective applicants that they'd have to work in a "high paced, schedule driven environment." Only question we have is this: since when are webOS devices being produced at a high pace?

HP seeks NFC engineer for 'smartphone and tablet products' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>employmentengineerengineeringengineershardwarehpjobjobsnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcpalmplansprerecruitmentrfidtrovixwebosworkWed, 22 Jun 2011 08:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Zoosh does mobile payments using ultrasound, no NFC chip required]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/20/zoosh-does-mobile-payments-using-ultrasound-no-nfc-chip-require/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/20/zoosh-does-mobile-payments-using-ultrasound-no-nfc-chip-require/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/20/zoosh-does-mobile-payments-using-ultrasound-no-nfc-chip-require/#comments Zoosh. That may or may not be what an ultrasonic payment sounds like to a dolphin, but it is definitely the name of a new mobile wallet technology developed by Silicon Valley start-up, Naratte. While Google and other major players have focused on traditional radio-based NFC, Naratte has been quietly testing its ultrasound system instead, motivated by the fact that it can work on ordinary handsets without the need for specialized NFC circuitry. Two phones can "zoosh" each other using nothing but their built-in microphones and speakers, so long as they're both running the necessary app. Moreover, Naratte claims that cash tills can be upgraded to hear the sweet jangle of ultrasonic cash for just $30 -- around a third of the cost of installing radio-based NFC hardware. So who knows? The last time you came this close to ultrasound was probably just before you were born, but one day you might find yourself using it to buy diapers. Scary.

Zoosh does mobile payments using ultrasound, no NFC chip required originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cashmobile paymentmobile paymentsmobile walletMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsMobileWalletmoneynaratteNFCpaymentpayment systemPaymentSystempoint-of-saleRFIDsaletransactionultrasonicultrasoundzooshMon, 20 Jun 2011 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Haberman, barcode advocate, dies at 81]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/alan-haberman-barcode-advocate-dies-at-81/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/alan-haberman-barcode-advocate-dies-at-81/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/alan-haberman-barcode-advocate-dies-at-81/#commentsAlan Haberman, barcode advocate, dies at 81A man whose impact on the world is nearly unfathomable died Sunday. Alan L. Haberman, supermarket-executive-turned-barcode-champion, died in Newton Massachusetts from complications of heart and lung disease at the age of 81. While he did not invent those ubiquitous black and white stripes -- that honor belongs to Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver -- Haberman did lead the campaign to make barcodes the universal standard for electronic product encoding. He chaired the committee responsible for the designation of the zebra-like markings, which in 1973 adopted a barcode designed by George J. Laurer of IBM. In his work at the Uniform Code Council (now known as GS1 US), he pushed for acceptance of multiple standards, including RFID. His obituary can be read in-full at the source link below.

Alan Haberman, barcode advocate, dies at 81 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan HabermanAlanHabermanbar codeBarCodedeaddiedGS1HabermanobitobituaryRFIDUniform Code CouncilUniformCodeCouncilThu, 16 Jun 2011 20:09:00 EST<![CDATA[NutriSmart prototype embeds RFID tags directly within food, traces your lunch from start to finish (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/nutrismart-prototype-embeds-rfid-tags-directly-within-food-trac/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/nutrismart-prototype-embeds-rfid-tags-directly-within-food-trac/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/nutrismart-prototype-embeds-rfid-tags-directly-within-food-trac/#comments RFID tags are already used to trace everything from poker chips to hotel towels, but what if these little pellets were embedded directly within your lunch, providing everything you'd ever wanna know about that ham sandwich you're about to beast? That's the idea behind NutriSmart -- a food tracking system that revolves around edible RFID tags. Developed by Hannes Harms, a design engineering student at the Royal College of Art in London, these little markers would allow consumers to trace the entire supply chain behind every item in their cupboard, while feeding valuable nutritional information to dieters or people with particularly dangerous food allergies. Kodak, as you may recall, came up with a similar idea a few years ago, though Harms' prototype extends beyond the realm of medical monitoring. Properly equipped refrigerators, for example, would be able to alert users whenever their stock's about to expire, simply by scanning the tags. The NutriSmart concept also calls for a smart plate, which Harms describes as an "invisible diet management system." Just put your meal on the plate and an embedded reader will analyze your grub, tell you how many miles it traveled before arriving at your kitchen and transmit all of its history and caloric data to your phone, via Bluetooth. No word yet on what would happen to these tags post-digestion, though our inner 13-year-olds are giggling at the possibilities. Video after the break.

Continue reading NutriSmart prototype embeds RFID tags directly within food, traces your lunch from start to finish (video)

NutriSmart prototype embeds RFID tags directly within food, traces your lunch from start to finish (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 06:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allergiesbluetoothcaloriesconceptdesignedibleedible rfid tagedible tagEdibleRfidTagEdibleTagembeddedfoodfood milesfood trackingFoodMilesFoodTrackingHannes HarmsHannesHarmsmealnutrismartnutritionplateprototyperfidRfidTagRoyal College of Art in LondonRoyalCollegeOfArtInLondonsmart plateSmartPlatetraceabilitytrackertrackingvideoMon, 30 May 2011 06:36:00 EST<![CDATA[MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/meego-conference-2011-sights-and-sounds-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/meego-conference-2011-sights-and-sounds-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/meego-conference-2011-sights-and-sounds-video/#comments So the MeeGo Conference is winding down here in San Francisco and we have prowled the exhibitor area over the past couple of days to bring you a taste of what's stimulated our eyes and ears at the event so far. We got to play with the Indamixx 2 music tablet -- basically an iiView M1Touch Pine Trail tablet running an audio-optimized build of MeeGoo 1.2 Tablet UX, which features a customized kernel for more real-time control and better audio scheduling. It's expected to ship for $700 in "June or July" complete with DAW and DJ apps.

Next we came across a MeeGo-based in-vehicle entertainment system that's currently available in cars from Chinese manufacturer Hawtai Motor. The device is Atom-powered, includes 3G connectivity, and provides navigation, communication, audio / video playback (for both stored and streamed content), along with Internet access. We saw a MeeGo app that gathers contact information on a form, sends it to an NFC-equipped Nokia C7, and writes it to a blank RFID tag. The tag can then be read by any NFC-capable phone, such as Google's Nexus S.

A fun conference isn't complete without some games, and we were treated to a homebrew, QML-based Dance Dance Revolution clone running on MeeGo, written using just a few hundred lines of code. Speaking of QML, we got a demo of another in-vehicle entertainment system with built-in instrumentation. This MeeGo app was designed to interface with a MegaSquirt open source ECU and display engine and other car data on a set of virtual gauges -- this in addition to performing the usual audio and navigation tasks. Check out our gallery below, then grab a snack and hit the break for our 15-minute hands-on video.

Gallery: MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds

Continue reading MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds (video)

MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C7Dance Dance RevolutionDanceDanceRevolutionDDRhands-onhawtaiHawtai MotorHawtaiMotoricsiiViewiiView M1TouchIiviewM1touchIndamixx 2Indamixx2IntelM1TouchMeeGoMeeGo Conferencemeego conference 2011MeegoConferenceMeegoConference2011MegaSquirtNFCNokiaNokia C7NokiaC7QMLRFIDtabletTablet UXTabletUxvideoWed, 25 May 2011 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Pleo bares it all for FCC approval]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/pleo-bares-it-all-for-fcc-approval/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/pleo-bares-it-all-for-fcc-approval/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/pleo-bares-it-all-for-fcc-approval/#comments Poor Pleo. Everyone fell in love with the little green dino at first sight, but no one actually bought the thing. Undaunted, the adorable fleshy robot made a triumphant return at this year's CES as Pleo RB (that's "Reborn"), with the help of adopted manufacturer Innvo Labs. The newly invigorated 'bot brings voice recognition, more sensors, and RFID-based command learning technology to the table. With all its new gear in place, Pleo was poked, prodded, and peeled by the FCC, revealing, among other things, that new RFID reader in its chin. The results are gruesome and not recommended for faint of heart robot dinosaur lovers. You've been warned.

Gallery: Pleo Hits the FCC

Pleo bares it all for FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dinodinosaurfccfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissionInnvoinnvo labsInnvoLabsPleoPleo RBPleoRbrfidrobotroboticstoytoysWed, 18 May 2011 21:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple awarded design patent for iPhone 4]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/apple-awarded-design-patent-for-iphone-4/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/apple-awarded-design-patent-for-iphone-4/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/apple-awarded-design-patent-for-iphone-4/#comments
Apple could probably plaster most of its Cupertino campus with patents and patent applications if it wanted to, but we're guessing there's few that make it more happy than a design patent for a flagship device -- like the iPhone 4. That's now been granted a year after the company filed the application, which details the "ornamental design for an electronic device with graphical user interface" in words and pictures. What's more, Apple's now also finally snagged a design patent for the 2007 iPod touch, and it's picked up a few other patents related to iTunes, Apple TV, and one for a "touch screen RFID tag reader." Hit up the link below for a closer look at those.

Apple awarded design patent for iPhone 4 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledesigndesign patentDesignPatentiphone 4Iphone4ipod touchIpodTouchpatentrfidWed, 20 Apr 2011 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[That hotel towel you're stealing might have an RFID chip in it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/that-hotel-towel-youre-stealing-might-have-an-rfid-chip-in-it/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/that-hotel-towel-youre-stealing-might-have-an-rfid-chip-in-it/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/that-hotel-towel-youre-stealing-might-have-an-rfid-chip-in-it/#comments
 For many travelers, stealing hotel towels or bathrobes is more pastime than petty crime. Hotels, on the other hand, apparently take it more seriously. So seriously, in fact, that some have begun embedding specially crafted RFID tags within their linens, just to help us avoid "accidentally" stuffing them in our suitcases before heading to the check-out desk. The chips, designed by Miami-based Linen Technology Tracking, can be sewn directly into towels, bathrobes or bed sheets, and can reportedly withstand up to 300 wash cycles. If a tagged item ever leaves a hotel's premises, the RFID chip will trip an alarm that will instantly alert the staff, and comprehensively humiliate the guilty party. The system has already paid dividends for one Honolulu hotel, which claims to have saved about $15,000 worth of linens since adopting the system last summer. But small-time crooks needn't get too paranoid. In addition to the hotel in Hawaii, only two other establishments have begun tagging their towels -- one in Manhattan, and one in Miami. All three, however, have chosen to remain anonymous, so swipe at your own (minimal) risk.

That hotel towel you're stealing might have an RFID chip in it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alarmanti theftanti-theftAntiTheftbedchipchipscrimeguestshonoluluhotellinenlinen technologylinen technology trackingLinensLinenTechnologyLinenTechnologyTrackingmiamimoneynew yorkNewYorkrfidrobessecuritytagtheftthieftourismtoweltravelWed, 20 Apr 2011 07:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Google expands NFC check-ins, clutters more restaurant windows]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/google-expands-nfc-check-ins-clutters-more-restaurant-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/google-expands-nfc-check-ins-clutters-more-restaurant-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/google-expands-nfc-check-ins-clutters-more-restaurant-windows/#commentsRecommended on GoogleGoogle's love affair with NFC continues to blossom, and QR codes are starting to feel like a neglected stepchild. After a successful trial run in Portland, the once-upon-a-search company is expanding its NFC check-in program to four new cities, slapping RFID "Recommended on Google" stickers on windows in Las Vegas; Madison, Wisconsin; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Austin, Texas. The company wants to be the best in the location-based service market, and NFC is its crane kick. While Foursquare and Facebook users are forced to do silly things like track down the right business in an endless list of nearby results or try and focus their cellphone's camera on a dimly lit QR code, you could simply be swiping over a sticker, scoring discounts and moving on. Provided, of course, you happen to have one of the few NFC-equipped phones on the market (such as the Nexus S), live in one of Google's five testbed cities and really want your friends to know you hit Planet Wings for lunch -- again. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Google expands NFC check-ins, clutters more restaurant windows

Google expands NFC check-ins, clutters more restaurant windows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acigacig technologyAcigTechnologycellphonecellphonescheck incheck-inCheckInfoursquaregooglegoogle placesGooglePlacesnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnfcrfidsmartphonesmartphonessmarttagThu, 14 Apr 2011 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[European R&D advances 'internet of things,' hastens our Phildickian future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/european-randd-advances-internet-of-things-hastens-our-phildick/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/european-randd-advances-internet-of-things-hastens-our-phildick/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/european-randd-advances-internet-of-things-hastens-our-phildick/#comments Why can't our refrigerator fire off an urgent email when the milk has gone lumpy? And the toilet paper dispenser warn us it's empty - before we sit down? And when will our microwaves run BitTorrent? EUREKA, the European R&D network, knows how badly you crave networked objects, and rather than mock you, it's moving to help. To that end, it has developed small, inexpensive, battery-powered sensors able to link everything from consumer electronics to environmental monitors to factory robots - creating the much-anticipated "Internet of Things." But unlike the over-hyped RFID, it's technology you'd actually use. Instead of knowing whether your keys are indeed on the RFID reader, the network could gently remind you that you left them in your car, which is now 100 miles away with someone else at the wheel, but, luckily for you, low on gas. Gaze into the so-called future of things with EUREKA's press release, conveniently embedded after the jump.

Continue reading European R&D advances 'internet of things,' hastens our Phildickian future

European R&D advances 'internet of things,' hastens our Phildickian future originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bittorrentconnectivityEuropeEuropeansfutureinternet of thingsInternetOfThingsmicrowavesmobilenetworknetworkingnetworksrefrigeratorsRFIDsensorsensor networkSensorNetworksensorswirelessThu, 14 Apr 2011 00:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's Battle Tag lands at the FCC, we're already out of breath]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/ubisofts-battle-tag-lands-at-the-fcc-were-already-out-of-brea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/ubisofts-battle-tag-lands-at-the-fcc-were-already-out-of-brea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/ubisofts-battle-tag-lands-at-the-fcc-were-already-out-of-brea/#comments Remember when we just about passed out from exhaustion following a rather short demo of Ubisoft's nouveau laser tag setup? Well, judging from its appearance over at the FCC, it looks like the RFID-packing Battle Tag is ready to play. Unlike some of our more fruitful dives into the commission's archives, this one doesn't uncover a whole lot about the product that we didn't already know. Internal photos show an RFID reader, used to communicate with ammo packs for reloading, and a thorough examination of the game's user manual revealed the accompanying software is compatible with Windows only. So, no, we won't be exposing any big secrets here, but for laser tag aficionados, whoever they may be, today is a good day. A Battle Tag setup for two is now available via Ubisoft for $130.

Ubisoft's Battle Tag lands at the FCC, we're already out of breath originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle TagBattleTagFCCfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissiongamesinfraredlaserlaser tagLaserTagpc gamesPC GamingPcGamesPcGamingRFIDteardownUbisoftUbisoft Battle TagUbisoft laser tagUbisoftBattleTagUbisoftLaserTagWed, 06 Apr 2011 06:53:00 EST<![CDATA[RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/rfid-enabled-vending-machine-ditches-coinage-gets-mario-bros-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/rfid-enabled-vending-machine-ditches-coinage-gets-mario-bros-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/rfid-enabled-vending-machine-ditches-coinage-gets-mario-bros-t/#comments A Twitter-enabled kitty door it is not, but this RFID-equipped soda machine is by far one of the most practical DIY projects we've seen in sometime. A Canadian tinkerer picked up this pop pusher a few years back, and has been using it to sling drinks in his building ever since. Unfortunately, finding the right change to feed the machine proved an issue for his neighbors, so he did what any logical hacker would do, and built in a contactless payment system. Using an Arduino, an Ethernet shield, an LCD screen, and an RFID reader, he created a system that allows customers to swipe a card and easily add funds from an online account. Best of all, every time you press that little blue button you get a Mario Bros. sample. Big ups, PopCARD. Video after the break.

Continue reading RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video)

RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentContactlessPaymente-wallethackMarioMario BrosMarioBrosmodpaymentpayment systempaymentsPaymentSystempopCARDradio frequency identificationRadioFrequencyIdentificationRFIDRFID readerRfidReadersodasoda popSodaPopvending machincevending machinesVendingMachinceVendingMachinesvideoTue, 05 Apr 2011 17:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Caribou Android app opens doors over the internet, needs neither permission nor keys (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/caribou-android-app-opens-doors-over-the-internet-needs-neither/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/caribou-android-app-opens-doors-over-the-internet-needs-neither/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/caribou-android-app-opens-doors-over-the-internet-needs-neither/#comments Opening doors with wireless RFID cardkeys is old hat at this point, but opening those doors with a smartphone is rather more intriguing. Doing so without permission of the people who put the locks on the doors, well, that brings things up to a whole new level of awesomeness. That's what Caribou does, a little Android app that remotely connects to a server managing the locks at a supposedly secure location. The app then diddles the ports and security settings of that server until it finds the magic phrase and, in a couple of seconds, it's open sesame time. Doors are unlocked remotely and then, 30 seconds later, automatically locked again. How thoughtful.

We first saw this demonstrated a few days ago but weren't entirely convinced of its legitimacy. But now, after exchanging a few e-mails with Michael Gough, who discovered the exploit, and Ian Robertson, who wrote the app, we're convinced. They're actually working with US-CERT on this issue so that appropriate measures will be taken but, in the short-term, if you have a system like this and it's sitting out there, IP open to the internet and being caressed by every passing breeze, you might want to think about pulling that in behind your firewall. Lots more info at both source links below, though you can see it working for yourself right here in a video after the break, running on an HTC Incredible.

Continue reading Caribou Android app opens doors over the internet, needs neither permission nor keys (video)

Caribou Android app opens doors over the internet, needs neither permission nor keys (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardkeydroid incredibleDroidIncredibleexploithackhtcian robertsonIanRobertsonincredibleMichael GoughMichaelGoughnfcrfidsecurityvideoThu, 17 Mar 2011 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Car2go test drive: RFID, GPS, and mobile apps make for a smarter Smart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/car2go-test-drive-rfid-gps-and-mobile-apps-make-for-a-smarter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/car2go-test-drive-rfid-gps-and-mobile-apps-make-for-a-smarter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/car2go-test-drive-rfid-gps-and-mobile-apps-make-for-a-smarter/#comments As you read this (assuming you're reading this sometime before March 20th) zillions of music, movie, and tech mavens and moguls have descended on Austin, Texas for SXSW. We made a run through the city just before festivities kicked off, stopping by to check out the Car2Go carsharing service that launched last summer and that, as of March 19th, will expand its coverage area to include 52 square miles worth of the heart of Texas. We took one of the company's customized Smart Fortwos for a ride and also test drove the new iPad app that makes finding cars as easy as pie. Pie, as it turns out, is also quite easy to find in Austin.

Gallery: Car2go Smart fortwo and iPad app

Continue reading Car2go test drive: RFID, GPS, and mobile apps make for a smarter Smart

Car2go test drive: RFID, GPS, and mobile apps make for a smarter Smart originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeAppStorecar 2 gocar rentalcar sharingCar2GoCarRentalCarSharingfeaturefeaturedfeaturesfortwohands-oniosipadiphonerfidsmarttest drivetest rideTestDriveTestRideMon, 14 Mar 2011 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung Nexus S revisits the FCC, this time with bands for AT&T]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/samsung-nexus-s-revisits-the-fcc-this-time-with-bands-for-atandt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/samsung-nexus-s-revisits-the-fcc-this-time-with-bands-for-atandt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/samsung-nexus-s-revisits-the-fcc-this-time-with-bands-for-atandt/#comments You may not be able to read the model number on that miniscule label, but you're looking at a cross section of the Samsung GT-I9020A -- colloquially known as the Nexus S for AT&T -- which just made its debut at that Ellis Island of wireless devices, the FCC authorization database. Sure enough, it's sporting the requisite 850 / 1900MHz WCDMA bands for the American carrier (though it could just as easily appear at Canada's big three) as well as Bluetooth, single-band 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, and 13.56MHz for RFID. In case you're curious, the latter indicates that the curvy handset will almost certainly keep its NFC capabilities. So, Samsung... are you about ready to tell us about that GT-i9023?

Samsung Nexus S revisits the FCC, this time with bands for AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1900MHz850MHzATTbellBell MobilityBellMobilityFCCGT-i9020Ai9020ANexus SNexusSNFCRFIDRogersSamsungSamsung Nexus SSamsungNexusSTelusSun, 13 Feb 2011 08:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Item-level RFIDs get support from big retailers, track your every purchase]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/item-level-rfids-get-support-from-big-retailers-track-your-ever/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/item-level-rfids-get-support-from-big-retailers-track-your-ever/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/item-level-rfids-get-support-from-big-retailers-track-your-ever/#commentsToilets, cows, and Germans have all been tagged by RFIDs, but according to a new study, it's footwear and fashion that top the demand for radio-enabled tracking. In a report released yesterday, ABI Research said more than three-quarters of a billion RFID tags will be used in global apparel markets in 2011, with retailers like Walmart, Macy's, and JC Penney leading the way. Item-level tracking isn't new -- in fact we saw something similar in 2006 -- but with the likes of Walmart on board, the system is expected to grow as much as 60 percent in the next three years. The study suggests inventory and security as driving factors in the adoption of RFIDs, but we've got our suspicions. And anyway, we don't want anyone to know how much we spent on that Material Girl leopard print shrug -- not even a machine.

Item-level RFIDs get support from big retailers, track your every purchase originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apparelclothesclothinginventoryitem-levelitem-level trackingItem-levelTrackingjc penneyJcPenneyMacysradioradio frequency identificationRadioFrequencyIdentificationretailRFIDsecurityshoesshopshoppingtracktrackingWalmartWed, 09 Feb 2011 09:13:00 EST<![CDATA[RFID poker gets DIY kit, automated card counting now available at home (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/rfid-poker-gets-diy-kit-automated-card-counting-now-available-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/rfid-poker-gets-diy-kit-automated-card-counting-now-available-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/rfid-poker-gets-diy-kit-automated-card-counting-now-available-a/#commentsRFID poker gets DIY kit, automated card counting now available at home (video) When Andrew Milner built himself an RFID-equipped poker table and the automated video overlay system to match, it was certainly a labor of love. Now, like any good poker player, he's trying to get a little money out of it. He's selling a DIY kit that includes almost all the hardware and software you need to replicate the video below but do it on your game night with your friends. (You'll need to supply the webcams, a table with cutouts, and a Windows PC to handle the footage.) This means you can create video replays that look awfully professional even if your ability to calculate odds on the fly and to focus more on the river than the bowl of chips is decidedly amateur. Components can be bought individually, like a deck of RFID cards for $148, or you can get the entire kit for about $1,600 -- stakes a bit too high for our game.

Continue reading RFID poker gets DIY kit, automated card counting now available at home (video)

RFID poker gets DIY kit, automated card counting now available at home (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew milnerAndrewMilneraustraliadiykitrfidrfid pokerRfidPokervideoThu, 03 Feb 2011 22:36:00 EST<![CDATA[WeSC Karmatech concept makes your shoes more social with RFID]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/29/wesc-karmatech-concept-makes-your-shoes-more-social-with-rfid/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/29/wesc-karmatech-concept-makes-your-shoes-more-social-with-rfid/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/29/wesc-karmatech-concept-makes-your-shoes-more-social-with-rfid/#comments
We've been seeing more and more shoes infused with different sorts of technology in recent years, but none quite like this WeSC Karmatech concept developed by some students at Sweden's Hyper Island "digital school." Described as a "social take on Nike+," the shoes apparently wouldn't have an accelerometer but they do pack an RFID chip that allows the wearer to interact with their surroundings -- automatically check in at a location and share it on Facebook or Twitter, for instance, or get access to exclusive deals or special events. Of course, it is just a concept, but the students note that it would be relatively cheap to implement (at least on the shoe end of the equation), as the RFID tags themselves only cost a few cents. Kinda gives a new meaning to "sneakernet," doesn't it? Head on past the break for the video.

Continue reading WeSC Karmatech concept makes your shoes more social with RFID

WeSC Karmatech concept makes your shoes more social with RFID originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concepthyper islandHyperIslandkarmatechrfidshoeshoessneakersvideowescwesc karmatechWescKarmatechSat, 29 Jan 2011 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple job posts point to built-in NFC capabilities for iPad / iPhone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/apple-job-posts-point-to-built-in-nfc-capabilities-for-ipad-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/apple-job-posts-point-to-built-in-nfc-capabilities-for-ipad-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/apple-job-posts-point-to-built-in-nfc-capabilities-for-ipad-ip/#comments Ladies and gentlemen of the, ahem, jury, we intend to show -- through rumors and circumstantial evidence -- that Apple might very well be building Nexus S-like NFC capabilities into next-generation iPhones and iPads. We present for your consideration exhibits A, B, and C: three Apple job posts, seeking two managers of global payment platforms and one test engineer for iPhone hardware. According to the original post, the right engineer possesses a background in both ICT (information and communication technology) and RFID (radio frequency identification), which forms the basis for NFC. Suspiciously, Apple removed the "ID" in "RFID" sometime in the past 24 hours. Still not convinced of Apple's NFC involvement? Consider this: Apple's manager of global payment platforms is tasked with contributing "to the analysis and development of new payment types and processes." Okay, so there's not a smoking gun in sight, but a little innocent conjecture never hurt anybody.

Apple job posts point to built-in NFC capabilities for iPad / iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applecontactless paymentContactlessPaymentipadipad 2Ipad2iphoneiPhone 5Iphone5jobjob postjob postingjob searchJobPostJobPostingJobSearchmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsnear field communicationNearFieldCommunicationNFCpaymentpaymentspostingradio frequency identificationRadioFrequencyIdentificationRFIDshoppingsmartphoneFri, 28 Jan 2011 08:08:00 EST<![CDATA[RelayRides P2P car sharing service now available in the Bay Area]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/relayrides-p2p-car-sharing-service-now-available-in-the-bay-area/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/relayrides-p2p-car-sharing-service-now-available-in-the-bay-area/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/relayrides-p2p-car-sharing-service-now-available-in-the-bay-area/#comments
Got a car sittin' 'round, clutterin' up your driveway? Love the idea of handing over the keys to strangers? RelayRides, a recent beneficiary of some Google Ventures cash, has just brought its peer-to-peer car-sharing service to the San Francisco Bay Area. Already available in Boston, the service is sort of a "social bikes-meets-Zip Car." The idea is to let customers rent privately owned (and in some cases, leased) vehicles by the hour: owners receive sixty-five percent of the rental fee, and they're protected by a million dollar insurance policy (drivers have to pay a $500 deductible, which should be large enough to keep people on good behavior). RelayRides is unclear on the exact nature of the keyless entry system (which gets installed gratis when your whip enters the program), but we're guessing it's either RFID or NFC. It also contains a GPS, which is used to track the car's movements and mileage. Interested? Hit the source link to get started.

RelayRides P2P car sharing service now available in the Bay Area originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcar sharingCarSharinggooglegoogle venturesGoogleVenturesNFCP2Ppeer to peerPeerToPeerrelayridesRFIDtransportationTue, 28 Dec 2010 08:27:00 EST<![CDATA[IDEO constructs RFID turntable, hearkens back to mixtapes of yore (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/12/ideo-constructs-rfid-turntable-hearkens-back-to-mixtaps-of-yore/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/12/ideo-constructs-rfid-turntable-hearkens-back-to-mixtaps-of-yore/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/12/ideo-constructs-rfid-turntable-hearkens-back-to-mixtaps-of-yore/#comments Once upon a time, you could touch your music -- or at least caress a 7- or 12-inch vinyl disc -- but these days the cool kids stream MP3s (and OGGs, and APEs) off the internet. However, design studio IDEO recently decided to see if they could get back in touch with their audio roots, and -- taking a page right out of the industrial design treatise I Miss My Pencil -- they built the above machine. To put it simply, what you're looking at is a box filled with specially-angled Arduino Pro Mini boards constantly searching for RFID tags on top, and a set of cards each with two RFID tags, with each tag representing one song. When you drop one on the turntable, it begins playing within a second, thanks to the clever array of Arduinos underneath, and you and your High Fidelity soulmate can leave multiple cards on the table to create an impromptu mixtape, or, presumably, flip one of the "cassettes" to play Side B. It's a good thing IDEO isn't selling the device and packs of cards, because we're afraid we'd be compelled to collect them all, and our poor wallet doesn't need any more heartbreak. Don't miss the video below!

Continue reading IDEO constructs RFID turntable, hearkens back to mixtapes of yore (video)

IDEO constructs RFID turntable, hearkens back to mixtapes of yore (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinoarduino pro miniArduinoProMiniartc60c60 reduxC60Reduxdesigni miss my pencilIDEOIMissMyPencilindustrial designIndustrialDesignmixtaperetrorfidrfid readerrfid tagRFID tagsRfidReaderRfidTagRfidTagsvideoSun, 12 Dec 2010 22:10:00 EST