Samsung unveils TecTiles: programmable NFC tags for Galaxy S III, others

[Corey]

Samsung on Wednesday announced a new NFC-based product called TecTiles. Available for $14.99 in packs of five from Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, TecTiles are small stickers that include embedded NFC tags. An accompanying app allows users to program each tag to perform a specific function, and a tap with an NFC-enabled Samsung smartphone like the Galaxy S III will automatically trigger the related actions. For example, a quick tap on a TecTile sticker can open a certain app, change various settings on a device, make a call, send an SMS, open a Web page, “like” something on Facebook or post a new tweet on Twitter. TecTiles are compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S II, Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S and Galaxy S Blaze 4G, and are available immediately. Samsung’s full press release follows below.

Samsung Mobile Puts All The Pieces in Place to Bring NFC To The Masses

Inexpensive, easy to use Samsung TecTiles™ Programmable NFC Tags can be customized to launch apps, send text messages, share contact information, change phone settings and more, with an NFC-enabled Galaxy smartphone

DALLAS — June 13, 2012 —

Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) is helping consumers realize the potential of NFC technology today with the creation of Samsung TecTiles™ and the TecTile™ programming application. With the largest user base of NFC-enabled devices in the United States and TecTiles available in all four major carrier stores and at major online retailers at the launch of the Galaxy S III, Samsung is ensuring NFC becomes a part of daily life.

With a simple tap of an NFC-enabled phone to a TecTile, consumers are able to automate everyday functions of a smartphone including sending a “headed/at home” text message, silencing the phone when entering a meeting, setting an alarm, and dimming the display when going to bed.

Samsung TecTiles will transform how businesses large and small engage with consumers. On premise, TecTiles enable consumers to check-in on Facebook® or foursquare

®

, connect to Wi-Fi® or download content. Off-premise, businesses can use TecTiles as a way to market to and engage with consumers by enabling reward programs and to download discount offers or content.

“With millions of NFC-enabled Samsung Galaxy smartphones currently in the market and the arrival of our flagship device Galaxy S

®

III, Samsung saw an opportunity to expand the value of NFC beyond mobile payments,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. and worldwide

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. “The launch of Samsung TecTiles is another example of Samsung’s ability to innovate new products and applications that improve the way we use our mobile devices for everyday tasks.”

Samsung TecTiles are easy to program with any NFC-enabled smartphone and the free application, which can be found in the Google Play™ marketplace. TecTiles can be reprogrammed as often as needed to complete any of the following functions on an NFC-enabled phone:

Settings & Applications

• Change phone settings (Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, ringer/media volume, screen brightness, etc.)
• Launch an application
• Join a Wi-Fi Network
• Show a message

Communication

• Make a call
• Send a text message
• Start a Google Talk™ conversation
• Share a contact or business card

Location & Web

• Show an address on a map
• Open a web page
• Foursquare or Facebook check-in

Social

• Automatic Facebook “Like”
• Update Facebook status
• Post a tweet or follow a contact on Twitter
• Connect on LinkedIn®

Samsung NFC-Enabled Android

TM

Smartphones

• Samsung Galaxy S
  ®
  III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon
• Samsung Galaxy S
  ®
  II on T-Mobile
• Galaxy Nexus TM on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked
• Nexus
  TM
  S
  ®
  4G on Sprint
• Samsung Galaxy S
  ®
  Blaze
  ®
  4G on T-Mobile

Pricing/Availability

Priced at $14.99 for a pack of five, TecTiles programmable NFC sticker tags are now available for purchase online and in-store at AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The Samsung TecTiles app is now available for download at the Google Play store.

 

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