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NFC technology is being embraced for far more than mobile payments

Rebecca | January 22, 2013

Many companies are adopting this close range connectivity tech for new and surprising reasons.

Although NFC technology has been receiving the largest amount of attention due to the many massive attempts being made to introduce it to the mobile payments sphere, companies are also finding a number of other unique and helpful uses.

In fact, it is expected that payments may end up being one of the lesser uses.

At a recent large electronics show, several companies – including the event itself – applied NFC technology in a range of different ways. These chips were unveiled in numerous devices and were used for many different purposes. According to the Broadcom CEO, Scott McGregor, “NFC really simplifies things.” His company is a chipmaker that sees considerable value in this tech. He added that “The most advanced technology is stifled if it’s not easy to use. … NFC plays a very valuable role in simplifying user interfaces for consumer products.”

NFC technology is now being used for everything from payments to coupons, tickets, press releases and other data exchanges.

While the focus is primarily placed on mobile payments through NFC technology that would allow smartphones to be used at a point of sale in order to complete a purchase by tapping the device against a reader, the world isn’t quite there yet. It is still quite rare for point of sale terminals to be equipped with readers, which significantly limits the use of the chips, even among those who would be interested and have enabled smartphones.

However, recently, new consumer electronics are being launched that include NFC technology for whole new reasons. Enabled devices aren’t just smartphones anymore. Instead, they include televisions, speakers, refrigerators, cameras, and even business cards. Panasonic, for example, has added a chip to its rice cookers.

This is considerably expanding the possibilities connected with NFC technology. Clearly, it is not simply a one trick pony, and electronics companies are taking it seriously. Though many still expect that it will soon experience explosive use through smartphones, it is evident that device manufacturers of all kinds intend to try to take advantage of its benefits in many new and exciting ways.

Augmented reality experience highlights the technology at the Seef Mall

Rebecca | January 19, 2013

The National Geographic Channel has added a unique learning attraction at the Bahrain shopping center.

National Geographic Channel has entered into a joint venture with the Seef Mall in the kingdom of Bahrain, where it has installed a fascinating augmented reality attraction for visitors to enjoy.

The attraction is open to all visitors to the mall and provides a uniquely realistic experience.

It has been designed to allow people in the mall to view different fascinating parts of the world from the safety, convenience, and comfort of the shopping mall. Through the magic of augmented reality, the National Geographic Channel’s content from around the world appears to come alive before the eyes of the participants, allowing them to learn, watch, and interact.

The official launch of this augmented reality experience occurred this month, and it will continue until April.

Robert Addison, the general manager of Seef Properties, was on site to answer media questions during the previews of the augmented reality experience. Demonstrations of many exciting and fascinating parts of the world were provided. Visitors could “swim” with dolphins and interact with other animals. It was even possible to “feed” dinosaurs that have been extinct for millions of years.

This augmented reality experience provides visitors to the mall with a unique and interesting interactive firsthand experience of activities. Some would otherwise be too dangerous or otherwise unavailable. For example, they can see what it is to walk on the moon, right before their eyes. Or, they can view some of the most treacherous weather conditions that the globe can conjure up. The cutting edge digital technology opens up an interactive and fascinating world that allows participants to immerse themselves in the learning experience.

From the West Wing of the mall, where the augmented reality attraction is taking place, Addison explained that “Seef Mall brings in a new era of interactive technology through this event, which combines education with fun at the same time. National Geographic has always inspired many, we hope families, children and visitors of the mall will take advantage of this unique ‘never-been-witnessed-before’ experience in Bahrain which will be on showcase at the mall starting tomorrow for next few months.”