It’s been a few years since Asus launched its first Raspberry Pi-like single-board computer aimed at makers, and the Asus Tinker Board platform hasn’t exactly exploded since then. But the company has made a few updates to the series over the years, with a Tinker Board S, Tinker Board R and Tinker Edge T, and […]
nfc
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NFC specification adds support for wireless charging
NFC allows two devices to communicate wirelessly over a very short distance. While Near Field Communication technology has a variety of uses, it’s probably best known for the way its used in smartphones. For example, NFC allows you to quickly pair wireless headphones or speakers with some phones. And when you use Apple Pay or […]
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These e-Paper displays are powered by NFC
Electronic paper displays are often found in devices like eReaders (or some tablets). But these low-power, high-contrast displays can also be useful for digital signage, price tags, name badges, or other situations where you want to display a static image indefinitely… but be able to change it from time to time. But you know what […]
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Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch gets Samsung Pay mobile payment support
Samsung’s mobile payment service works on the company’s latest smartphones (including the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 and S7 series handsets). Now you can also use Samsung Pay with a smartwatch. The company is rolling out a software update called “Value Pack” for its Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch. The update lets you download watch faces from the […]
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Tap to pay comes to Windows phones (for Windows Insiders)
Over the past few years we’ve seen a growing number of smartphones that support mobile payments, allowing you to tap your phone against a payment system at the cash register without taking cash or a credit card out of your wallet. Apple’s recent iPhones support Apple Pay. Samsung devices feature Samsung Pay. And a number […]
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Pagaré smartstrap could give Pebble Time watches contactless payment
As promised a few months ago, the folks at FitPay and ConnecteDevice have launched a Crowdfunding campaign for a smart wrist strap that will let you use a Pebble Time smartwatch for mobile payments. The strap is called Pagaré, and it’s eventually expected to sell for $89, but backers of the Kickstarter campaign can request one […]
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Pagaré smartstrap could bring contactless payments to Pebble Time smartwatch
Earlier this year Pebble announced that its Pebble Time smartwatches would be able to learn new tricks when you attach a special kind of strap that adds functionality. Smartstraps are wristbands with extra hardware such as batteries or wireless chips that can interact with the smartwatch. Pebble doesn’t currently have any plans to produce its own […]
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Jawbone launches UP2, UP4 fitness trackers (with mobile payments for the UP4)
Jawbone is updating its UP line of fitness trackers with two new models. The UP2 is A $100 model that offers all the basic features you’d expect from an activity-tracking fitness band including step counting, sleep tracking, week-long battery life, and the ability to sync with iOS or Android apps. Or for $200 you can […]
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iPhone 6 NFC chip is only for Apple Pay (so far)
Apple’s new iPhones are bigger, faster, and thinner than any phones the company’s launched to date. But the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus also have a few other new tricks including support for wireless payments using the new Apple Pay feature. This lets you use your phone as a digital wallet and it allows you […]
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Google Wallet coming to all phones running Android 2.3 and up (No NFC required)
More than two years after launching a platform designed to turn select Android phones into digital wallets, Google has announced it’s bringing Google Wallet to all phones running Android 2.3 or later. Up until now you’ve only been able to use Google Wallet on select device featuring NFC (Near Field Communication) chips. Now you’ll be […]