iPhone as RFID Tag & Reader: Coming Soon
We began our Mobile Web Meets Internet of Things series yesterday with a look at barcode scanning. We wrote that smartphones are increasingly being deployed as readers for barcodes - in particular via apps available on iPhone and Android. These applications, such as RedLaser on iPhone and ShopSavvy on Android, allow you to scan a barcode on a product or object and get more information about it.
We noted however that RFID tags are more functional and flexible than barcodes. While barcodes are cheaper and getting traction in the U.S. with the QR format, the potential for RFID tags is even greater. Apple knows this and if rumors are to believed, RFID will be integrated into the iPhone 4G later this year.
According to a number of believable blog reports, RFID is set to be a part of the as yet unannounced iPhone 4G. Apple holds a patent for a touch screen RFID tag reader and is said to be testing an RFID-enabled iPhone currently. So RFID could be a feature of the iPhone 4G as soon as Spring 2010.
As MacRumors succinctly explained in November, mobile phone usage of RFID technology will come in the form of Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC is a new standard based on RFID and it has three use cases: the phone as an RFID tag; the phone as RFID Reader; and peer to peer communication (P2P) between two NFC-enabled phones.
The first two use cases are the most interesting. Using the iPhone as an RFID tag means it can be a deployed as a payment device (similar to a credit card), identity card, security device, and more. This type of functionality is already happening in Japan, where the RFID Suica chip is installed in some mobile phones.
Using the phone as an RFID Reader allows the iPhone to interact with RFID-enabled objects in the real world. Check out this prototype from a Norwegian research organization called Touch, using the iPhone as a Media Player:
Timo Arnall from Touch noted in a follow-up post in November that RFID and NFC peripherals are beginning to be released for the iPhone.
2010 could be a great year for RFID in the consumer market, if it is to be a feature of the next iPhone. Expect to see it in Android devices too.
Will mobile phones provide the tipping point for adoption of the Internet of Things? We've seen now that mobile phones are a big driver of consumer adoption for both barcodes and RFID tags, so we wouldn't be surprised.
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This type of technology is going to be incredible to use daily.
RIFD chips are also widely used as payment systems in Europe (http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/4625) shows that cell phones are increasing equipped with FRID chips to facilitate payments like groceries and soda from vending machines.
RFID/NFC on iPhone is a logical and functional enhancement to create automated links to the physical world and to enable easy micro-payments and a range of new apps that will generate revenue and improve the functionality of the iPhone. It's not a question of "if" this will happen but when.
I agree with Elliot and based on the fact that it's "a logical and functional enhancement to create automated links to the physical world" it's intruiging that Google didn't launch the Nexus with NFC
Revolutionizing the credit card experience by integrating it into the phone together with an application that keeps track of your expenses, where and what you bought (not as a cryptic string, but as an beautiful receipt akin to the one one Square offers) .. now that would actually be an innovation worthy of Apple. People have been talking about this as a potential use of NFC for a while, but this involves so many challenges that only few companies could actually pull this off; could make this usable and create the momentum needed to bring it into the mainstream. Apple probably could.
This brings us closer to building an internet of things. The mobile device is the perfect sensor.
Mobile payments via NFC is a logical starting point for implementing RFID on mobile handsets, but this is useful for read distances of only a few centimeters. For longer distances (for example, acquiring sensor data in a room or getting data from a smart billboard or kiosk, NFC won't work. The leading contender for RFID integration with mobile handsets outside of mobile payments is DASH7, which uses 10% of the power of its nearest competitor, has 10x the range, and works whether the user is walking, running, or riding in a car. For wireless sensor data acquisition, there is simply no better alternative.
Another important element of this opportunity is the ability to acquire sensor data about people, places and things when a) they are moving or b) the user of the handset is moving. WiFi and Bluetooth are really only viable solutions is everyone and everything is standing completely still ... and even then it takes a few seconds for things to "connect". DASH7 is very low latency and inherently asychronous, so there is no "waiting time" for two DASH7 devices to connect like you have with your bluetooth headset or a WiFi LAN. More info on this here http://ow.ly/VPix
DASH7 silicon is readily available from TI, ST Micro, and others and DASH7 on a SIM will be available in Q2 2010. Extremely inexpensive to implement on the handset and no monthly subscription fee for the radio spectrum (433 MHz), which is globally available - China, Japan, EU, North America, etc.
DASH7 is also ideal for augmented reality apps where DASH7 will enable the ability to use a handset to capture the twitter or FB profile of someone walking past you on a street or the Zagat's review of a restaurant you are driving past. Again, WiFi and BT won't work in this regard and besides are very power intensive. DASH7 batteries often last for many years. For more info visit www.dash7.org
Posted by: Pat Burns
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January 13, 2010 9:30 AM
There had been rumors that the 4G iphone would mark Apple's new partnership with Verizon. (All rumblings still assume that AT&T will continue to be in the mix.)
Is there anything in the emerging story re: RFID that would suggest which US carriers would have the 4G iphone? And what (if any) Apple apps will leverage the technology out-of-the-box?
The three modes of NFC in this article are incorrect. The actual three modes are:
Peer-to-Peer Data Exchange (think:
Reader/Writer Mode: reading and writing information stored in RFID tags (think: discovering information by just bringing an NFC phone within a few centimeters)
Card Emulation Mode: an adoption of the existing contactless card standards (think: train ticket, credit card, coupon emulated to today's existing contactless readers at public transports and merchants)
Also, where is the source on NFC iPhone timeline? Quoting someone's speculation involving a 2007 patent is not a source.
Hans, what specifically is incorrect? I saw the same info you quoted, but tried to make it more understandable for general readers. But please tell me specifically what is incorrect, if you think that is so.
Re source, as noted a number of times in the post this is indeed speculation - no official word from Apple as yet.
good to see. time to move beyond trials. nokia has been the leader so far, but as i've written before, when apple/iphone comes out w/ **integrated** support for proximity, things will change for the better and fast. looking forward to this. i'm a big believer on the power of proximity and related interactions and how it will bring the convergence of digital/physical world together. but payments and loyalty programs will probably be the 1st round of related apps.
ceo
Richard, NFC defines 3 modes are:
Peer-to Peer being low link level communication between 2 NFC enabled endpoints. Being low-level, you are free to define whatever payload.
Reader/Writer Mode provides support for various existing RFID types and messages (i.e. mandated tag types).
Card Emulation Mode, per the name emulates a contact-less smart-card.
You may want to see the following articles on NFC:
http://weblog.cenriqueortiz.com/touch-nfc/
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/javame/nfc/
RFID technology allows us to interact and personalize consumer products. We are able to record an experience on an NFC cell phone and directly link the information to an RFID tagged product. This process provides the technological link between the consumer, cell phone, personal event, and commercial product. NFC cell phones have been used to retrieve, display, and share digital information such as music, photos, and videos. RFID can be used in outdoor recreational sports. We have tagged equipment such as fishing lures, hats, shirts, and snowboards. An example we provide is RFID fishing. In this process, an RFID tag is attached to a lure. Using a cell phone or camera, I have recorded my daughters catching fish using RFID tagged lures. Links to the video information are then directly written on the tag. At a latter point in time, we can replay the outdoor adventure by holding the NFC cell phone up to the tagged lure. We are able to instantly recall, retrieve, replay, and share the fishing video with friends and relatives. RFID technology allows us to transform and personalize a commercial product. The following is an example of recording and sharing an experience on an RFID tagged postcard (Bulacard):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFplV2y6DeY
I've been screaming/cheerleading for the coupling of locaton based/aware services and RFID for almost 10 years. over 9 for sure. And the floodgates seem to be opening or showing signs of. One thing for certain, getting lost in grocery stores will be a thing of the past..to put it vaguely.
photos, and videos. RFID can be used in outdoor recreational sports. We have tagged equipment such as fishing lures, hats, shirts,http://www.discephemantolamafiyatlari.com and snowboards. An example we provide is RFID fishing. In this process, an RFID tag is attached to a lure. Using a cell phone or camera, I have recorded my daughters catching fish using RFID tagged lures
Does anybody knows where I can buy such a device? If there is an online reatailer that sells it, much better. Thank you
All this will get really interesting when the RFID chip can trigger the iPhone to show content originating from the products manufacturer – or advertising company if you will – instead of content already residing on the iPhone. I’m talking things like infomercials here, that people actually trigger themselves ;-)
RFID Readers in smart phones will give users unlimited capabilities that they are not currently able to use. One of the main uses of this technology could be used to pay for products via the secure RFID reader in your phone. RFID Readers have been in cell phones in Europe and Japan for a number of years and it is about time this technology is available in the United States. The only concern is the security issues associated with personal information stored on this tag.
RFID is more secure than barcode.In 4G smart phone mainly updated by RFID tag and reader.It mean that a great secure system is in our hand.
we can use it as
1.Door Locker security.
2.Product expire date verification and Licesence checking.
3.RFID fishing(We have tagged equipment such as fishing lures, hats, shirts, and snowboards)
4.Mobile payments via NFC is a logical starting point for implementing RFID on mobile handsets
Read my compelling argument about why Apple is aking a big mistake (like the NEwton) and another big palyer will be the one to win when it comes to RFID on mobile phones:
http://digg.com/d31QRVT The latest ODIN RFID blog, from the Author of RFID for Dummies.
What kind of RFID tags are be used in this demonstration? Active, passive or BAP?
Does anyone know what level of frequency these tags are using to transmit data in this demonstration the using range low to ultra high?
F@%K THE CHIP!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Dr6poEl_0