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Samsung TecTiles 3.0 update offers more options for NFC tagging, now available in Play Store

Brad Molen
Updated ·5 min read
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Samsung's NFC tagging app -- known as TecTiles -- made its official debut in June, but the company isn't putting a halt to its progression anytime soon. This morning Sammy announced version 3.0 of the app, which includes various enhancements that allow for better customization. Among the new features, you can choose from a larger selection of settings that can be programmed into the tags, and you'll also have the ability to send pre-written emails to a specified address, update your Google+ status, store a history of your profiles, customize preloaded profiles and create private tags that can only be read by your phone. The new refresh is ready to go in the Play Store, so head on over to download it for free -- provided, of course, you've forked over $15 for a pack of five tags. The press release, along with a full list of supported devices, can be found past the break.

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Samsung Mobile Expands NFC Capabilities with TecTile™ Version 3.0

Samsung's TecTile mobile application update offers more programmable settings, deeper app integration and the ability to program multiple commands to a single TecTile

DALLAS - Oct. 24, 2012 - Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) – the No.1 mobile phone provider in the United States and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide1 – continues to advance the use of NFC technology in everyday life with the rollout of Samsung TecTile Version 3.0, the latest update to its popular mobile application. The Samsung TecTile 3.0 mobile app provides a variety of new ways to customize Samsung TecTile programmable NFC tags to automatically change features and settings of Samsung Android™ NFC-enabled devices with a single tap.

Samsung TecTile originally launched alongside the Samsung Galaxy S® III as an introduction to the user-friendly capabilities of NFC beyond mobile payments. With the U.S. launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note® II, TecTile programmable NFC tags and the TecTile 3.0 mobile application can now automate everyday smartphone functions on Samsung's newest iconic device.

"As the clear leader in NFC-enabled smartphone deployment in the United States, Samsung is committed to developing and advancing this promising mobile technology," said Kevin Packingham, chief product officer of Samsung Telecommunications America. "Samsung TecTile tags combined with the TecTile 3.0 application simplifies the way consumers interact with their mobile device and greatly enhances the overall user experience."

With the largest user base of NFC-enabled devices in the United States, Samsung continues to broaden the use of NFC technology for consumers and businesses by continually expanding and evolving the capabilities of the TecTile mobile application.


Enhancements offered with TecTile Version 3.0
Programming Enhancements & Improved Usability
o Program multiple actions to a single TecTile – With one tap, a TecTile can perform a series of actions including turning on Bluetooth®, launching the Navigation app and calling voicemail when entering a car.
o Customize Profiles – Version 3.0 enables users to turn the notion of a static TecTile on its head. Define preloaded Profiles within the app and program a different TecTile tag to launch each Profile – such as "normal," "office," "night" and "car" – allowing for easy toggling between Profiles throughout the day. Groups can also take advantage of Profiles. Rather than program a TecTile to evoke the same actions on every smartphone with every tap, Profiles allow one TecTile to perform customized actions for different users when scanned. For example, within the app, each TecTile user in an office can customize their "meeting" Profile to fit their specific preferences, such as automatically setting the phone to vibrate or silent mode, depending on user choice. Then, program one TecTile in a conference room to automatically launch each user's unique, custom "meeting" Profile upon tapping. Users can also create and add their own custom Profiles based on daily activities, like "workout," "gaming" or "TV."
o Store TecTile tag history – Users can now keep a log of all TecTile tags they program for easy reference.
o Create private TecTile tags – Create private TecTile tags that only the owner's phone can read. TecTile 3.0 will associate the programmer's email address to all private TecTile tags and will only allow execution of a TecTile command to the programmer's device.
o Unlock a previously locked TecTile – A TecTile programmer can unlock a previously locked TecTile, or clear a TecTile without having to overwrite with a new command. This is beneficial for both consumers and commercial users who want to extend the value of their TecTile tags while retaining the secure option to lock a TecTile.

Programming Additions & Application Integration: Samsung has expanded the list of phone settings that TecTile can change when tapped, including the addition of Airplane mode, more comprehensive alarm settings and the ability to automatically change a ringtone. In addition, TecTile 3.0 can now integrate with more applications to give users a more comprehensive experience. Specifically, TecTile can now:
o Share or edit an electronic business card, forward a call or send a pre-written email to a specific address

o Toggle between Play/Pause settings on Music Player, or play a specific track

o In addition to integration with LinkedIn®, Facebook® and foursquare®, program a TecTile to update a Google+ status, start a Google Talk conversation, check in on Google Places or on Glympse™ location sharing


Samsung NFC-Enabled Android TM Smartphones
· Samsung Galaxy Note II on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon

· Samsung Galaxy S III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon

· Samsung Galaxy Note® on AT&T and T-Mobile

· Samsung Galaxy S® II on T-Mobile

· Galaxy Nexus TM on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked

· Nexus TM S ® 4G on Sprint

· Nexus TM S® on AT&T and T-Mobile

· Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze® 4G on T-Mobile

· Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate™ on AT&T

· Samsung Galaxy S® Relay™ 4G on T-Mobile

· Samsung Galaxy Victory™ 4G LTE on Sprint


Pricing/Availability
Priced at $14.99 for a pack of five, TecTile programmable NFC sticker tags are available for purchase at Samsung.com and online and in-store at AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. The Samsung TecTile 3.0 mobile app is available for free in the Google Play™ marketplace.

Samsung TecTile Microsite
For a detailed list of added features and enhancements offered by the TecTile Version 3.0 upgrade, visit http://www.samsung.com/us/microsite/tectile/.