Develop Bugs

NFC Tags

So was anyone able to scan any NFC tags?

some stores has NFC payments enabled, some movie posters or stuff like that has NFC chip build in
in some countries there's NFC tickets for the bus/subway
so, it all really depends how popular or not it's in the are where you live
not even all USA cities are that high tech

I've heard that NYC taxis and some pharmacies and such there support NFC. But I've also heard that the phone's software isn't really setup to use the NFC yet. I know that Sprint and the Google Nexus S 4G have Google Wallet hooked up to their NFC.
I don't know that TMO has a deal with Google Wallet. Are they part of that Isis group?

I've successfully scanned my SFO Clipper card which uses NFC. Pretty cool.

The venture is now developing provisioning systems that will allow existing payments services to be added to any NFC phone owned by a subscriber to any of the Isis founder's mobile networks, says Johnson — and Isis already has a number of banks ready and willing to pay for this service. "When we launch next year we will launch with multiple banks," he explained.
http://www.nfcworld.com/2011/05/24/37652/isis-sets-out-new-nfc-strategy/

I've been testing krohnjw's NFC Task Launcher app. I must say it's pretty damn awesome! It lets you set tags up for doing different tasks. I'll make a video sometime, he has some on his development page. You can set a tag to enable wifi, for example. One idea I had was to use his app to set your phone to toggle bluetooth when you place the phone in your car dock for example. Very neat stuff!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980741
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jwsoft.nfcactionlauncher

mziol said:
I've been testing krohnjw's NFC Task Launcher app. I must say it's pretty damn awesome! It lets you set tags up for doing different tasks. I'll make a video sometime, he has some on his development page. You can set a tag to enable wifi, for example. One idea I had was to use his app to set your phone to toggle bluetooth when you place the phone in your car dock for example. Very neat stuff!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980741
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jwsoft.nfcactionlauncher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool stuff, time to buy some NFC tags.

http://www.tagstand.com/
http://www.buynfctags.com/
http://www.tagage.net/
I'm still looking for the best price on cheap tags to mess around with. I've also read there is some confusion around the net as to which tags will work with our phones/phones in general.

NFC Tags, what works, what does not
I've got two TMO SGS2s, so I did some NFC testing the other night. Here is what I found:
1) Creating a text tag works. Reading it from another phone works. But when read, it put the text into a new post in the Google+ app. Not really what I imagined wanting to do with an NFC tag that I read.
2) Sharing Google maps locations over NFC seems to work. But again when reading the tag, the text and URL is opened up as text in a new Google+ posting.
3) Web page URLs. I used Dolphin HD to share a few web pages. Reading the tag properly brought up the website. This one feature seems to be more or less fully operational.
4) Sharing contacts over NFC did not appear to work at all. It is an option when creating a new tag in the Tags app, but we couldn't get it to work for any type of contact.

Are you able to read arbitrary RFID tags using the T-Mobile Galaxy S 2? I've tried on several different types of RFID tags with no success (NFC was indeed enabled when I tried):
-Passport
-Building entry badge
-DC Metro SmarTrip card
I've tried using the included "Tags" application, in addition to "NFC Reader" and "NFC TagInfo".
Oddly enough, I stopped by my local T-Mobile store, and the representative told me that he was unable to transfer URLs or random tags (or contact information, as you stated) between two Galaxy S 2 devices, or between a T-Mobile Galaxy S 2 and an HTC Amaze. (We then played around with the devices a bit in an attempt to get something working, but to no avail.)
Splaktar said:
I've got two TMO SGS2s, so I did some NFC testing the other night. Here is what I found:
1) Creating a text tag works. Reading it from another phone works. But when read, it put the text into a new post in the Google+ app. Not really what I imagined wanting to do with an NFC tag that I read.
2) Sharing Google maps locations over NFC seems to work. But again when reading the tag, the text and URL is opened up as text in a new Google+ posting.
3) Web page URLs. I used Dolphin HD to share a few web pages. Reading the tag properly brought up the website. This one feature seems to be more or less fully operational.
4) Sharing contacts over NFC did not appear to work at all. It is an option when creating a new tag in the Tags app, but we couldn't get it to work for any type of contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I haven't tried reading any physical tags. Only between 2 different NFC enabled phones.

I did a whole bunch of research with the Nexus S NFC reader - and so far as I can tell, the SGSIIX has the same capabilities.
I have a bunch of blank 1K, 4K and Ultralite MiFARE tags that are AWESOME to play with. Even just putting your contact card on there, or URLs (you can do anything with a URL) is tons of fun to play with. They don't read proprietary NFC implementations without special software - only tags encoded with an NDEF structure will be automagically picked up by Android.
The good stuff is coming up - I'm 98% sure that Zoompass is coming out with an Android app compatible with the QuickPay/Interact-Flash readers. Next year, pay for small crap with your phone!

[APP] BT Tag Writer

BT Tag Writer is application that offers you way to add NFC pairing to your old Bluetooth speakers. NFC pairing allows you to pair, connect and disconnect the device just by tapping the NFC tag with your phone. This application is still under development and this thread can be used to request changes and new features for this application.
Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=fi.siika.bttagwriter
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbuLGsXIvKI
--- original first post ---
Hello everybody.
I have been now writing application for Android devices with NFC capabilities. It basically offers wizard interface for writing new NFC connectivity tags for your Bluetooth speaker(s)/headset(s)/etc. And software that will take care of the actual pairing/connecting, when you tap the tag with your phone. NFC pairing is something Nokia does with N9 and it's Bluetooth speakers, but it looks like Android still doesn't handle this well out-of-the-box. Also I still haven't found easy to use connectivity tag writers for any devices.
Sort demo of application in it's current state: Check youtube video kzoG5VM6VcU (can't have this as a proper link, as I only have less than 8 posts to this forum, sorry)
Before I release this software to market, I would like have some people testing it with their speakers and devices. I really hate alpha level software in market. If you have Galaxy Nexus, some sort of Bluetooth speaker(s)/headset(s) and hopefully some writable NFC tags, and you would like to help me to get this software tested: Please tell it here. I still have some small things to resolve before this is ready for closed testing. If you like to help me to get this tested please also tell what sort of Bluetooth device you have and what NFC tags you have available.
I will most likely release this software as free (gratis) and probably in open source (don't know the license yet). So I am not planning stealing your time and then making money out of it. Only thing I can offer to you is to add your name to application's thanks list.
Also if you know software that already does all this, please tell. If my software does not bring anything new, I have to redesign it little bit.
Thanks.

I'd like to test your app.
Got the same NFC-Chip like you (mi(d)fire or something like that I've bought for my old Nexus S) and a Nokia BH-504 Bluetooth Headset and for sure a Galaxy Nexus and a Galaxy S, too
Just tell me how I can help testing...

i would test as well buddy!

s60mike said:
I'd like to test your app.
Got the same NFC-Chip like you (mi(d)fire or something like that I've bought for my old Nexus S) and a Nokia BH-504 Bluetooth Headset and for sure a Galaxy Nexus and a Galaxy S, too
Just tell me how I can help testing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now this is ICS software, do you happen to have some unofficial 4.0 image in those? I kinda would like to make this 4.0 only software, as all NFC devices most likely will get that update.
S suxeN said:
i would test as well buddy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone is Nexus S? What sort of Bluetooth devices you have, and NFC tags...

I'd love to test this. I've been using NFC Task Launcher to do something similar but it doesn't currently support connecting to a specific device. I'm running ICS on a GSM Galaxy Nexus and have several A2DP speakers I could test with.

Northernmost said:
I'd love to test this. I've been using NFC Task Launcher to do something similar but it doesn't currently support connecting to a specific device. I'm running ICS on a GSM Galaxy Nexus and have several A2DP speakers I could test with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will fix few annoying things and then will put link to debug apk-file here (maybe Wednesday). I will try to see if I can make it run in 2.3.5+ too. Anyhow software will be limited to Mifare Ultralight tags (original and C versions). I have to buy other type tags to see what I can do with those, but that's later. Common Ndef writer classes does not work at all with Android or then I'm doing something wrong.
Android also really limits clean ways to do intents for more complex tags. So these tags software now writes are not proper connectivity handover tags. Just the core part of those is used and stored as single NDEF mime item and then this app is marked to handle those NDEF messages/records. Positive side with that is of course that information fits to smaller tags. Also PIN code storing will be probably done little hacky way to the first version.

alump said:
For now this is ICS software, do you happen to have some unofficial 4.0 image in those? I kinda would like to make this 4.0 only software, as all NFC devices most likely will get that update.
Your phone is Nexus S? What sort of Bluetooth devices you have, and NFC tags...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like said above. Both devices got ICS and NFC and I've got Midfire NFC Tags...

s60mike said:
Like said above. Both devices got ICS and NFC and I've got Midfire NFC Tags...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So many different Mifare tags out there. Mifare Classics will not work (for now).
Anyway, pushed software to market after all. In few hours you should be able to find it from there. Offer still stays, if you can try it out and report issues here it would help. I had to drop headset support for now as it didn't work as well as I hoped.

Great! Will try it out today. Here's the market link https://market.android.com/details?id=fi.siika.bttagwriter
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

alump said:
Mifare Classics will not work (for now).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Missed that bit. I really must learn to read All the Mifare tags I have are Classic ones.
A couple of initial thoughts after myfirst use of the app...
1) Back when I was on 2.3.7 there was a Bluetooth A2DP widget I used (can't remember the exact name now) that, when you created the widget, would display a list of already paired devices that supported the A2DP profile. Once you'd picked one the widget would attempt to connect to it automatically.
I'd like to see your app do something similar rather than having to go through a pairing process with a device I've already paired with. It's a small thing to do I know, but I'd imagine most users will have already paired with their speakers before ever finding your app. I don't know if you can enumerate paired devices supporting the A2DP profile in ICS though.
2) When your app was scanning for BT devices it would find my speakers but would only display the BT address. It didn't display the BT device name after waiting for several seconds. This may be a BT stack problem though.
3) It looks very nice!

Northernmost said:
Missed that bit. I really must learn to read All the Mifare tags I have are Classic ones.
A couple of initial thoughts after myfirst use of the app...
1) ....I'd like to see your app do something similar rather than having to go through a pairing process with a device I've already paired with...
2) When your app was scanning for BT devices it would find my speakers but would only display the BT address. It didn't display the BT device name after waiting for several seconds. This may be a BT stack problem though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes my app does not trust the already known devices list. Have to see if I can get that too. Anyway my application does not pair devices that have been paired already. It simply is stupid to not offer those. I have to check if I can used paired devices list too. I have to add some indicator to list what devices are then old known and what are just found with discovery.
2. I have seen "no name" issue only once. But yes, that's "stack problem"... I hope
Anyway I think I have to try to add Mifare Classic support first.

alump said:
1. Yes my app does not trust the already known devices list. Have to see if I can get that too. Anyway my application does not pair devices that have been paired already. It simply is stupid to not offer those. I have to check if I can used paired devices list too. I have to add some indicator to list what devices are then old known and what are just found with discovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for spam, but finally this will be mine 8th post
Request to list already paired devices is now added to Market version (0.3). So no need to turn already paired devices to pairing mode when writing tags.
Support for other than ultralight Mifare tags might take some time. Thanks to keys etc those tags are not ideal for this use. I think I will try to add headset support first.

Just to confirm that 0.3 is listing my paired A2DP devices

alump said:
Your phone is Nexus S? What sort of Bluetooth devices you have, and NFC tags...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus S, running Brainmasters ICS 4.0.3
Bluetooth devices:
2 headsets
another Xperia ArcS
NFC Tag:
dont have a tag yet, but could get some. Dunno what kind they are!

S suxeN said:
NFC Tag:
dont have a tag yet, but could get some. Dunno what kind they are!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My unofficial NFC tag type list (from memory, might have mistakes)
Mifare Ultralight C is my recommendation. If you plan to use this for this, or for example: storing your contact information, storing some url, storing application starter information etc.... Simple, cheap and easy to use alternative.
Mifare Ultralight (non C) is too small for almost anything. You can use it anyhow with my software (limited features) and you can fit sort URL to it.
Mifare 1K, Classic, etc... these are for more secure needs. Or if you really want to store a lot more information to the tag. For non secure usage (e.g. my app) the secure features are just annoying extra that makes things more complex. Key based security so if you mess up with key, then you can't read or replace that data anymore. Also kinda "proprietary alternative".
Felicas are Sony's alternative for all these. Probably not easy to find outside Japan. Topaz is good alternative for Ultralights, but I don't know how well Android supports those currently (haven't tested). And if Broascom/Innovision still makes these? Not too easy to find anyway. And then there are many more... it's a total mess and maybe the main reason why it's so hard for NFC to break big time.
But for the most of use cases: I assume Mifare Ultralight C is the best alternative.
NFC Tag store examples:
TagAge - I'm using this, but mainly because I live in Finland.
NFCDog - is one UK alternative.
And many more, Google search is your friend. And this message has't been paid by either of these stores

alump said:
My unofficial NFC tag type list (from memory, might have mistakes)
Mifare Ultralight C is my recommendation. If you plan to use this for this, or for example: storing your contact information, storing some url, storing application starter information etc.... Simple, cheap and easy to use alternative.
Mifare Ultralight (non C) is too small for almost anything. You can use it anyhow with my software (limited features) and you can fit sort URL to it.
Mifare 1K, Classic, etc... these are for more secure needs. Or if you really want to store a lot more information to the tag. For non secure usage (e.g. my app) the secure features are just annoying extra that makes things more complex. Key based security so if you mess up with key, then you can't read or replace that data anymore. Also kinda "proprietary alternative".
Felicas are Sony's alternative for all these. Probably not easy to find outside Japan. Topaz is good alternative for Ultralights, but I don't know how well Android supports those currently (haven't tested). And if Broascom/Innovision still makes these? Not too easy to find anyway. And then there are many more... it's a total mess and maybe the main reason why it's so hard for NFC to break big time.
But for the most of use cases: I assume Mifare Ultralight C is the best alternative.
NFC Tag store examples:
TagAge - I'm using this, but mainly because I live in Finland.
NFCDog - is one UK alternative.
And many more, Google search is your friend. And this message has't been paid by either of these stores
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, ima gonna order some and report back to u

music auto start
is there a way to make it so that my music app doesn't auto play my most recently played track when the BT connection is made ... id like for it to simply open the app

[APP] Locale/Tasker NFC Plugin

About the app
This is a plug-in for Locale and Tasker that extends them with NFC-functionality. It works by reading the UID (Unique Identifier) of a tag. Actions can then be associated with this UID and will be executed when the tag is scanned.
This allows you to reuse old discarded NFC-tags/cards that you might have lying around. Maybe you have some old access-cards or commuter-cards that you can use. It currently supports all NFC-standards that are supported by the Android system.
How to use it
Add a new situation
Add a new condition
Choose Locale NFC Plugin
Scan the tag
Add settings of your choice
You have now registered the tag with the phone and associated it with the desired actions. The next time you scan the tag the actions will be executed.
How do I get the app?
Please note that it's only a plug-in so you MUST have Locale or Tasker already installed on your device for it to work!
Follow the link to Google Play Store
Or scan the QR-code with your phone.
I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have.

reserved

reserved 2

I was under the impression tasker already had this functionality built in?

Evostance said:
I was under the impression tasker already had this functionality built in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I know Tasker dosen't have this functionality built in. At least I haven't been able to find it. However I do believe that NFC Task Launcher + Tasker makes a similar combination.
The difference between Locale NFC Plugin + Tasker and NFC Task Launcher + Tasker would be that, with NFC Task Launcher you will have to write to the tag what it is that the phone should do once the tag is scanned. This means that you will have to buy tags that you can write to.
With Locale NFC Plugin you won't have to write anything to the tag. Hence you can reuse old NFC-tags/cards that you might have lying around.

Edit: strike the following as it's now showing as compatible (now purchased!). Not sure what happened but it's all good now.
Market / Play Store says it's not compatible with my device - a GSM GNex running AOKP (4.0.4 / build 32) and Franco kernel #135. I'm guessing your plug-in appears for devices that haven't been messed around with quite so much? It sounds very handy!

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Best NFC app

Hi
I want a good nfc task App. I have seen one called nfc tasker. But is it any good? Dødes anyone have sugestions for other apps?

nfc task launcher, they have cheap tags through their app store too

Is it easy to use?

+1 for NFC Task Launcher. Best & Pretties NFC app.
Real easy to use. Pick a Profile (Car, Home, Bed, Office), and write to tag. Add other task to the pre-made profiles, or make your own from scratch. Erase tags too.
If you want to write URLs, V-Cards, Messages, etc then get Tagstand Writer (by the same developers of NFC Task Launcher)
(also in NFC Task Launcher, scroll to the left to "Free Tags" and get two free tags by posting to Twitter)

Is there an app that lets me read a nfc/rfid card and later lets the phone act as that card?

la3bna said:
Is there an app that lets me read a nfc/rfid card and later lets the phone act as that card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, no... and since when does the Nexus 4 have anything to do with RFID?

UberSlackr said:
Umm, no... and since when does the Nexus 4 have anything to do with RFID?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with it. It would simply make less for some of us to carry.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app

Basically NFC is based on RFID standards but uses different frequencies so the two don't work together. That said, many companies are embracing NFC now and things like Mastercard Paypass and Visa Paywave technology use it. If these companies pulled their finger out and actually started allowing us to connect our accounts to the phone through the likes of Google Wallet, we could do away with physical wallets altogether!
Security is the big issue though and this is why you will never be able to just scan and then use a card, imagine how easy it would be to just swish your phone past someones wallet in a queue and then pay with their card! There is already equipment fairly readily available that can be put together and programmed to do this, putting that tech in everyones hands would be asking for trouble.
Back on topic. I highly recommend NFC Task Launcher and, for ultimate automation, use it with Tasker. That lets you do basically anything you want with your phone at the simple swipe of a tag.

I see, I did get a all that reads the access card @work so I was thinking that an app would let me read and replicate so that I could enter the office complex even if I forgot my card...

Write NFC tags that do not require other users to have the app used to write the tag.

I have a done a bit of looking but all I've come up with is mainly 'use trigger' or something like it. But my question is: Is there a way with Trigger to write a tag that anyone can read? Or is there another NFC tag writer app that I should use?
The thing I want to do is make a tag for friends to tap when they call over that will connect them to my wifi network, but if they have to go and download trigger first then no one is going to use my tag.
Sorry if this is a re-posted question, I looked and didn't see it anywhere here and when I put the title in there was no recommended threads that had what I was asking.

I've tried different apps, and it looks like connect to wireless is not one of the default actions that is included in Android. I've only found connect to bluetooth.

Hi, you can use NFC Tools for that.
All records on "write" tab is compatible with other NFC device.

daniel_loft said:
I've tried different apps, and it looks like connect to wireless is not one of the default actions that is included in Android. I've only found connect to bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to NFC and I am a little confused about what NFC can do. I have the nfc-tool App and I can read many NFC tags that I have.
But for an Android phone with NFC support, without installing any 3rd party App, what can it do? Is NFC enabled by default? Are there native NFC apps that can trigger action, open URL, etc?
Also, since each NFC tag already has a unique identifier, it seems to me writing data to NFC tag isn't all that useful when only 1 phone is using it. As you could have just programmed the command to the phone. The same applies to multiple phones if you can program the phones through some other means. Am I missing something here?

As I was saying, looks like what you want is only possible in Android L.
Have a nice day!

nookin said:
I am new to NFC and I am a little confused about what NFC can do. I have the nfc-tool App and I can read many NFC tags that I have.
But for an Android phone with NFC support, without installing any 3rd party App, what can it do? Is NFC enabled by default? Are there native NFC apps that can trigger action, open URL, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android has native build-in support for some simple standard NFC activities, like reading a messages/contact, open URL/URI, launch application etc. .For more sophisticated activities you will always need an app to parse the tag content and handle the activities.
Also, since each NFC tag already has a unique identifier, it seems to me writing data to NFC tag isn't all that useful when only 1 phone is using it. As you could have just programmed the command to the phone. The same applies to multiple phones if you can program the phones through some other means. Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, fully agree. Have a look at NFC ReTag

ascsa said:
Android has native build-in support for some simple standard NFC activities, like reading a messages/contact, open URL/URI, launch application etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a newbie here. I have a phone running 4.2.2. How do I make it read an NFC tag and take action without installing additional app? Just tap?

So I finally found an official NFC tag in mall. When I place my phone on it, it asks me to choose between stock Browser and Chrome. I guess if I have already chosen a default, it will just open a webpage. Now I wonder if there are security concerns. What if the URL is malicious? What if it downloaded a lot of data when the user is roaming?
I wonder what other functions an NFC tag can trigger without installing additional Apps? If I buy writable NFC tags, like the Samsung TecTiles, can it be programmed just like the mall NFC tag?