Tag Archives: NFC

Android Mobiles

LG Optimus Tag LTE makes its way to Korea

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LG Optimus Tag LTE makes its way to Korea

LG seems to be on a throttle revealing devices day on day just a week before MWC 2012, yesterday we had news on the Optimus Vu which is now further followed by the Optimus Tag LTE smartphone that makes its launch in Korea ending February this year.  The word “Tag” attached to the device exhibits NFC capable functionality implementing LG’s Tag+ stickers that allow switching profiles, enabling GPS, Bluetooth etc. For example: If you enter your workplace you may swipe your phone to enable silent profile, similarly to turn on navigation or GPS you may use the Tag+ sticker in your car to switch on the features enabled on to it. This seems to bring some good changes as we generally tend to forget stuff while we are on the run, with this new implementation it could be a lot easier to increase productivity and simplicity as these are user programmable and can be redone as many times as per your needs and moods. Sony has also brought a similar feature on to its selected Xperia handhelds that is also known as “Xperia Smart Tags” allowing NFC capable communication. The Optimus Tag LTE has a 4.3-inch IPS display, a 1.2GHz dual core processor, and the good old Android Gingerbread 2.3 to top it up.

LG Optimus Tag LTE Quick Specs:

  • 4.3-inch 650 nit IPS WVGA display (800×480 pixels)
  • 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Dual Core Processor
  • Android Gingerbread 2.3 (upgradable to Android ICS 4.0)
  • 5MP Auto-focus camera with LED Flash
  • 1.3MP front camera
  • 16GB internal storage
  • Sharing capabilities via NFC (LG Tag+), DLNA, MHL (Mobile High Definition Link)
  • 1700 mAh battery
  • Dimensions/Weight: 126.5 x 67.9 x 9.53mm / 141.7gms

The Optimus Tag LTE would available across Korea late February at a price tag of 800,000 Korean Won i.e. US$ 710. Information on the worldwide release of the smartphone is yet to be out. We would keep you posted for more news.

via LG Newsroom

Android Mobiles

Sony Ericsson launches the Xperia ion and Xperia S Smartphones at CES 2012

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The CES 2012 has been a handful of announcements with each mobile brand launching its set of devices to be launched. Sony Ericsson was not far in the league as it also introduced a host of gadgets and two new Xperia Smartphones to its portfolio. The smartphones are named the Xperia S and Xperia ion. The devices have brilliant and dynamic specs making devices of the future difficult to predict while making use of Google’s Android OS.

The Xperia ion would be first smartphone with LTE support by Sony. The phone would be exclusively available to the US mobile carrier AT&T.

Xperia ion

Xperia ion Smartphone Quick Specs:

  • 4.6 inch HD display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine (1280 x 720 pixels)
  • 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
  • 16GB internal flash storage
  • Android 2.3 Gingerbread
  • 12 MP rear camera with Sony Exmor R technology and full HD support up to 1080p (Fastest image capture time of 1.5 seconds directly from standby mode)
  • 1.3 MP front camera (has HD support up to 720p)
  • HD Sharing via DLNA, HDMI and BRAVIA sync.
  • PlayStation™ Certified (A new entertainment and gaming experience on its way with access to Sony Entertainment Network)

The Xperia S is yet another powerful handset with even bolder specifications those are quite similar to the Xperia ion. The smartphone would be a global release and is expected to be available by the first quarter of this year.  The device is one of the first smartphones that belong to the Xperia NXT Series featuring a new dimension towards product design and UI termed as “Iconic Identity” by Sony.

Xperia S

Xperia S Smartphone Quick Specs:

  • 4.3 inch HD display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine (1280 x 720 pixels)
  • 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
  • 32GB internal flash storage
  • Android 2.3 Gingerbread (Upgradable to Android ICS 4.0 by Q2 2012)
  • 12 MP rear camera with Sony Exmor R technology and full HD support up to 1080p (Fastest image capture time of 1.5 seconds directly from standby mode)
  • 1.3 MP front camera (has HD support up to 720p)
  • NFC (Near Field Communications) access throughout apps, services and Xperia SmartTags.
  • HD Sharing via DLNA, HDMI and BRAVIA sync.
  • PlayStation™ Certified (A new entertainment and gaming experience on its way with access to Sony Entertainment Network)
New Technologies

Near Field Communication (NFC)

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Near Field Communication is the most talked about platform to be integrated across various mobility channels as means to serve variously transactional and useful resource needs across various segment.

Before discussing the benefits of the same let us try to know what exactly it is. Near Field Communication can be described as enabling transactions, data exchange, information and encrypted transfer between 2 devices within a proximity of few centimeters, NFC is a being integrated across various gadgets, devices which include handhelds, tablets and other platforms.

NFC is a co created  and founded by NFX  and Sony Corporation in 2002.

Google Wallet one is the 1st creation and actual implementation of NFC wherein a user can use his mobile device as a credit or a debit card to do a transaction or make a payment while not actually carrying the physical card, people are still new to the technology and are skeptical on its implementation and usage.

Considering the Indian Market and large consumer base across mobile phones Nokia India and Ra.one (a Red Chilies Production Movie) were first to implement the same with their brand campaign and media strategy.

Ra.one Zones were created across 400 City Wide Nokia Priority stores to make the campaign a success, media that was pushed included promos, trailers, wallpapers, ringtones and so on.

However NFC is not yet found across all devices and mobility gadgets. It involves an NFC chip to both at the sender and receiver end to enable the communication.

It is also said that the technology has a wide scope to push media from various vendors or ad agencies while a transaction is being done, an example for same can be a $50 discount coupon on a purchase made through the upcoming mode of payment or just using it for the 1st time.

The implementation segment is vast allowing products like Appliances, Food, Entertainment, Travel, Shopping, Etc. to promoted across malls, stores and so on.

Also NFC is to be a among Top Media Trends for 2012 as Per Mashable’s Founder Pete Cashmore which were discussed during Mashable’s Media Summit 2012.

Major Players Like Apple and competitors like Samsung, Blackberry, and Nokia are also working on the same.

Symbian Belle and a Few Symbian Anna Devices Comprise of the same as well which includes Nokia E6-00, Nokia 600, Nokia 700 and Nokia 701 Smartphones

NFC based phone are ought to range within a price band of $200-$250 being economical and can be made of for mass usage.

OS

Symbian Belle – Buzz All Around !

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Symbian Belle is the buzz that has been around for while with many devices already been launched and  some models due for an upgrade. The  Nokia 600, Nokia 700, and Nokia 701 are the devices that are ready to use with Symbian Belle.

Why does one need to migrate from Symbian 3^(Build Anna) to Symbian Belle?

The UI has changed to a reasonable extent considering the Symbian development cycle is finished. Nokia has still made an attempt to make sure that it cares of its existing users.

Tops Visible Changes Include:

  • Flexible Widgets
  • Smooth Sweep
  • Notifications Bar
  • Toggle Widgets
  • Modernized Menu
  • Contacts
  • Flexible  Widgets

If we compare the home screens of a Symbian Anna and Belle based device, the widgets on a Belle based device are more flexible and easy to customize leaving the user with ample space and adjustment options and making the phone more personal. The image below is an example of the customization options.

  • Smooth Sweep

The Overall improvements have led to a smoother interface where once can switch between home screens at a faster speed without an inconvenience, although this might vary on handsets depending on display type and the overall  hardware performance.

  • Notifications Bar

The Notifications Bar  is similar to the Android operating system, the top swipe displays a menu providing access to Mobile Data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Messages and Missed Calls which is comparatively much better than Symbian Anna.

 

  • Toggle Widgets

Toggle widgets are a great way to make things easier which includes Wi-Fi On/Off , NFC, GPS, and Packet Data widget. Toggle between services to enable or disable them.

  • Modernized Menu

The menu design is similar to the Nokia N9. Folder based navigation is no longer a part of the menu, all menu items are accessible within the main menu.

  • Contacts

Contacts have been given a good space and room within the widgets area of different home screens one can add various contact widgets, it includes contacts with larger image and better visibility also the ability to drag an individual contact from one home screen to another.

 

Still Waiting for the Symbian Belle Update for My Nokia E6-00, will keep you posted with an interactive post or a video once I’ve experimented more.