Samsung today announced a beefy update to its TecTile application, which the company first introduced alongside its programmable TecTile NFC tags earlier this year. The Samsung TecTile 3.0 app update brings with it a number of new features, like the ability to program multiple actions to a single TecTile tag, customize different profiles on a tag (like "Office" or "Car" modes) and the option to create private tags that links up with a user's email address, allowing a TecTile tag's command to only be executed on a device with that address. The TecTile tags also now have access to more phone settings, like setting airplane mode or changing a ringtone, and can also better integrate with other apps and do things like update a Google+ status.
Samsung's TecTile tags and TecTile 3.0 app are compatible with several NFC-enabled smartphones, including the Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S III and the upcoming Galaxy Note II. The tags themselves are priced at $14.99 for pack of five, and the TecTile 3.0 app can be downloaded from the Google Play store right here. If you've got a compatible device and want to give programmable NFC tags a go, the TecTile 3.0 app sounds like it may be worth checking out so that you can do things like arrive at home and turn on Wi-Fi, check in on Foursquare and update your Facebook status without having to dive into different apps and menus. Timesaver! You can find Samsung's full announcement of the TecTiles 3.0 app update, including a changelog, down below.
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
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.
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.”
Store TecTile tag history – Users can now keep a log of all TecTile tags they program for easy reference.
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.
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:
Share or edit an electronic business card, forward a call or send a pre-written email to a specific address
Toggle between Play/Pause settings on Music Player, or play a specific track
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 atSamsung.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, visithttp://www.samsung.com/us/microsite/tectile/.
1 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.
© Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC. Samsung, Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, and TecTiles are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.
- Log in to post comments