Tap and go with NFC on BlackBerry 10

Have you noticed that straight out of the box or whenever you perform a wipe and reinstall of BlackBerry 10, NFC is on by default. I have always wondered why NFC is enabled by default on BlackBerry 10 smartphones. Now I know why. BlackBerry want to you make use of it any which way you can. From sharing files, pictures, browser links, right down to adding contacts to BBM.

Now, I've been using NFC already, from sharing files and photos to adding contacts. How I had been doing that was by going to the picture or file then tapping Share, selecting NFC and then bump the devices together. There's an easier way to do it however.

This quick tip comes from the BlackBerry Developer group in the Netherlands. They recently had a get together and discovered the awesomeness of NFC on BlackBerry 10. There is no need to even tap the Share option to share via NFC. As long as you and the person you want to share to or add to BBM have NFC turned on, then it's as simple as tapping the devices together.

Want to add a contact to BBM? Open BBM and bump the phones together.

Want to share a file or photo? Go to the file or photo, then tap the phones together.

This even works with sharing browsing links. Just have the browser open to the web link you want to share and tap the phones together. It is that simple.

Since discovering this feature I have kept NFC on and I'm using it share with friends and family more than I have been. Go out and try it now. It really makes you wonder what other treats and features can be discovered on BlackBerry 10.

In November of 2012, the first mobile credit payment was completed in Canada, made possible by Rogers and CIBC, and taking place at a Tim Hortons in Toronto.  More recently, on March 27th, the first Canadian mobile debit transaction was completed using NFC at a McDonald's in Toronto, utilizing an InteracFlash point-of-sale terminal, a BlackBerry Bold 9900, and an RBC bank account. Though it will be a bit longer before this NFC payment method is available to the general public, it is fantastic news and exciting to know that it's coming soon.

“This free mobile debit option will benefit both our clients and our merchants. RBC clients will be able to use their mobile devices to make debit payments when and where they wish to make them – and then to immediately check their online bank balance from those same devices,” explained Dave McKay, Group Head, Personal and Commercial Banking, RBC Royal Bank.

Canadians should be seeing the roll out of mobile Interac Flash later this year. You can learn more in the full press release below.

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Press Release

WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - January 16, 2013) - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM)(TSX: RIM) today announced that its Secure Element Manager (SEM) solution for NFC (Near Field Communication) mobile payments has been approved by Visa. RIM's SEM is the backend solution for carriers that can securely manage credentials on SIM (subscriber identity module) cards installed in all types of NFC-capable mobile devices.

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NFC is still not as widely used as it could be, but things are definitely coming along and being introduced to the general public. RIM has kicked things up a bit by putting an NFC ad in Rogers Connected magazine. The ad, when tapped with an NFC-enabled device, allows users instant access to a holiday gift offer, free BlackBerry apps, information on the new BlackBerry 10 devices and download of CIBC's mobile payment app. The ad is the first of its kind in Canada and looks to pave the way for many more. Check out the video above to see it in action.

Source: NFCWorld 

With the CIBC mobile payment app now available for download in BlackBerry App World, CIBC is adding a little bit of a bonus to the mix in an effort to entice folks to go ahead and try it out. Now, when you download the app and register you'll be eligible for a $15 credit on your account to use for mobile payments. There are a few caveats though that you'll have to consider. You must be a CIBC acount holder, have a NFC capable BlackBerry Bold 9900 and an activated NFC SIM card from Rogers. If you have all those things, you can hit the link below for the full details. Thanks, @Andy4Life!

Learn more about the CIBC Mobile Payment App

  How often do you use NFC on your BlackBerry?

I'm a big fan of NFC on my BlackBerry Bold 9900. I used it quite often for various tasks and it really does come in handy. Being able to just tap my device on a tag and have it perform a function is pretty awesome when you think about it. Knowing that I'll be able to continue using NFC on my BlackBerry 10 device as well makes me love it that much more.

For me, it's a bunch of NFC tags stuck all over the place or my BlackBerry Music Gateway, but for others it may be tags around the office, unlocking a door, transfering files or plenty of other uses. What we want to know is just how often do you use NFC? Are you a daily user like I am? Do you use it a few times a week? Not at all? Pick the choice that best fits you in the poll above, then leave a comment letting us know how you use NFC on your BlackBerry. 

For Canadians who are anxiously waiting to get in on the mobile payment action, that day just got a little closer. Today at a Toronto Tim Hortons restaurant, CIBC and Rogers demonstrated the first ever Canadian mobile payment using their SecureTap system. We learned a few weeks back that Canadian carriers would be using RIM’s secure element manager on their mobile payment applications, and that is definitely where some of the magic is coming from here. This software will be on BlackBerry smartphones as well as Android and Windows 8 in the coming months.

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This is an exciting and historic day for Canada! Today Rogers Communications and CIBC will team up to complete the first mobile credit card payment in the country, launching the new program initially on the Rogers BlackBerry 9900 and 9360 with other devices to be introduced at a later date. These BlackBerry smartphones are NFC enabled, which will allow customers to pay for items at retailers using their CIBC credit card. The program was announced several months ago, and is finally launching.

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When it comes to NFC adoption, RIM has been among the leaders in Canada with the inclusion of NFC in BlackBerry smartphones and various agreements with partners. What some folks may not know though, is the fact that RIM has been developing a system designed to securely manage credentials on SIM cards installed in all types of mobile devices, including BlackBerry smartphones, Android devices, and Windows phones.

As announced today, EnStream LP, a joint venture of Bell Mobility Inc., Rogers Wireless Partnership and TELUS Communications Company named RIM's Secure Element Manager Solution as the answer to power NFC mobile payments in Canada.

"RIM is very pleased to play a key role in this Canadian mobile payments solution," said Andrew MacLeod, Managing Director for Canada at RIM. "Working with EnStream, we're delivering a service that will enable speed, security and convenience in mobile, contactless payment. RIM's SEM solution will help deliver mobile payments and other NFC services to all carriers across all handset platforms that support NFC technology in Canada."

Using the security provided by the RIM network and infrastructure will make it easy on financial institutions as they will now only have to take care of one gateway to handle all transactions across carriers and mobile platforms. Something that will go a long way for even further widespread NFC adoption in Canada. If you're looking for the full details, the press release can be found below.

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I got into a conversation with my mother-in-law a few nights ago about how as kids, we used to play outside whenever we had the chance. Over the summer I'd be out right after breakfast, only coming home to eat dinner, then go back out as long as there was daylight. Not anymore. Kids (mine included) since inside all day watching TV or playing video games. Mine dreads the thought of having to play outside.

As we sat and talked, I had my BlackBerry in hand. I looked at it a bit and realized just how many items from my youth it had replaced. I no longer had scattered items around to get through my day, just this one tool that has everything I need. While there are countless ways a BlackBerry (or smartphone in general) has changed daily life for users, in honor of BlackBerry 10, I've compiled a list of the top ten items my BlackBerry has replaced.

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According to a sales bulletin issued to stores, Rogers will be rolling out a new NFC mobile payment service dubbed suretap on October 15th. The partnership with CIBC was announced back in May and will be available in just a few days. Suretap will allow eligible customers with an NFC enabled device (Bold 9900 or Curve 9360) to pay for "small ticket items" with their CIBC credit card at participating stores. To pay, users will simply load up the app and tap the merchant's POS system. The service is free to use but will require an NFC SIM card (available from Rogers) as well as the CIBC Mobile Payment App which will be available at launch. 

I have to admit I'm pretty jealous of this one as I'd love to see the same here in the US. Having the ability to go cardless and pay for items with just your BlackBerry is awesome.

Do you plan on using suretap? Hit the comments and let us know!  

When I think about a cafe nowadays, I imagine people chilling, sometimes with friends catching up, or alone surrounded by laptops and gadgets working hard or just browsing, all with a mug of coffee sitting not too far. Then again, that could just be me. The SkyPark Café in Hyderabad, India, however, wants to go a little further. It will become the first BlackBerry equipped cafe in India. The cafe will be set up with BlackBerry PlayBooks, NFC points and a BlackBerry Music Gateway to play music to customers jukebox style. This venture is brought on by a partnership with RIM and BBin.

The PlayBooks can be used to browse, work and play on and will also double as the menu. One PlayBook will be dedicated for use with the Music Gateway, dubbed the "Music Jukebox". As well as that PlayBooks will also be used by waiters to take orders. 

There will also be a wall dedicated with NFC stickers for customers to easily check-in with NFC-compatible devices. There will also be QR codes that people can scan to avail of freebies as well an App of the Month offer.

I don't know about you but I sure would like to have a cafe that is BlackBerry equipped in my nearest city. I'd turn it into a local CB meet-up venue. Bring this to the U.K. please. Continue reading for more pictures.

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A while back we saw this BlackBerry Tag commercial hit YouTube, and now a few more have arrived on the channel as well. They all take on different aspects of BlackBerry Tag like sharing games, photos and music. While all of the spots are a bit on the campy side, I do find them quite amusing. It's doubtful these will be running anywhere mainstream at all (if you see them let us know) but you can check them all out here. Keep reading for more videos, then let us know what you think of them in the comments.

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If you're a BlackBerry developer looking to learn more about NFC and how you can integrate it into your applications, RIM wants to help you. Kicking off on October 4th, 2012, a new series of webcasts will be held where you can learn all about NFC starting with the basics and moving into more advanced stuff such as integration within BlackBerry 7 and BlackBerry 10. In total, there will be three webcasts held each with their own look at specific topics:

• Introduction to NFC on BlackBerry - An overview of NFC technology, what it can be used for, and the specific skills required to take advantage of it.  
• Working with NFC tags on BlackBerry 10 - Examine NFC tags and how application developers can write to them, read them and act upon their contents from their BlackBerry 10 apps.
• Working with NFC tags on BlackBerry 7- This will follow the same structure as the BlackBerry 10 session, only customized to BlackBerry 7 apps.

If you're looking to learn more about the webcasts or get yourself registered, you can hit the link below to get started.

Learn more and register

While NFC is still expanding across the globe, MasterCard today took one huge step to help that process along. They've now released their Mobile PayPass UI SDK to developers and included with that, is support for BlackBerry 7 devices. The Mobile PayPass UI SDK includes all the tools needed to create contactless payment applications including:

• API Code Libraries
• API Specification Documentation
• Developer Guide
• Sample UI Application Code
• White-Label Reference UI Application
• Test Suite to Ensure Compliance and Apps

To date, there is over 70 devices out there approved by MasterCard as Mobile PayPass compatible devices and the list continues to grow. In addition to RIM devices being on the list, Samsung, Sony and HTC have all released NFC and MasterCard compatible devices with mobile payment transaction growth expected to reach $75B by 2013.

If you're a developer looking to get in on that, you'll find the press release and further info from MasterCard available below. Just please, no one create any more apps that allow me to buy McDonalds using my device. My stomach can no longer handle it.

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HID Global has announced today the launch of their Secure Identity Services for NFC credential provisioning and management. The new tools allow users to have web-based access to managing information for traditional badges on plastic cards, tokens and for digital credentials that can be carried on NFC-enabled smartphones.

"With our HID Secure Identity Services platform, customers have all the tools for creating, using and managing identities on cards and NFC-enabled smartphones, within a secure access network," said Jason Bohrer, senior vice president, managed services for HID Global. "We've included a variety of capabilities that make it even easier to do business with us across a broad range of applications and requirements. And, for the first time, customers will be able to provision and manage credentials over the air with the same ease and simplicity as downloading a song from a cloud-based music service, initially using selected BlackBerry smartphone models, and extending to a wide variety of NFC-enabled smartphones as they become available."

The services are available now for NFC use on the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Bold 9370 running on a BES. Some pretty cool stuff here for companies using NFC for lock & network access, PC login and much more. Keep reading for the full press release and check the link below for more information.

More information about Secure Identity Services

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Remember long ago, we told you all about Isis? It's the carrier back solution for mobile payments using NFC. At the time the news came out, many folks were waiting for NFC powered BlackBerry devices to arrive and eventually they did. Some carriers though, oddly enough, those supporters of Isis decided to block NFC on the devices from use.

Now though it appears Isis is ramping up their efforts and having teamed up with Mastercard among others, are getting ready to fully launch in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas, next month. Mastercard has managed to offer up a list of supported devices and according on that list you'll find the BlackBerry Bold 9900 (presumably the 9930 is incl. here), Curve 9360, Curve 9380 as well as the Bold 9790.

Given that those devices are listed as being supported it's safe to assume that AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon will all enable NFC on the BlackBerry models where it's been crippled but more importantly we should start to see even further uses for NFC as the rollout of Isis expands and carriers can grab their piece of the pie.

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The new BlackBerry Music Gateway connects to your existing stereo or speaker system letting you wirelessly stream music from your BlackBerry smartphone or other Bluetooth enabled device. This newly updated version features a slimmer design, expanded connectivity and of course, NFC. A revamped version of the original BlackBerry Remote Stereo Gateway, the new model brings everything up to date by adding NFC and a microUSB charging port.

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I'm a sucker for a low-cost mystery, I admit it. Whether it's a mystery tee off one of those one-shirt-a-day sites or the Woot Bag o' Crap, it's really hard for me to pass up the potential awesomeness that could be delivered right to me. It's no wonder that I got super excited when I saw this intriguing invention using NFC from the folks at Razorfish.

Utilizing an old gumball machine, an NFC shield, a simple reed switch, and 2 Arduino microcontrollers, they made this prototype over a two day session at their Frankfurt office.

This is an NFC-enabled Gum Machine we have built at Razorfish that is packed with all sorts of digital goodies: Apps, movies, songs, ebooks, as well as other exclusive and location-based content that can be pushed to a phone. Simply enter a coin and turn the lever – then follow the animation and tap your smartphone next to the release chute.

That's right! Insert a quarter, get a mystery something delivered right to your phone! This concept seems like it would be fun, and with only a $.25 investment, even if you got something you didn't like it seems to me that the excitement and anticipation alone would be worth it. I'm curious if they could integrate Google Wallet or PayPal or something as well, for those of us that may not have change in our pockets. Obviously, it's just a prototype (tested on Android devices) so no word on what platforms it could eventually support. You can see several pictures of the prototype being built and find more information at the source link below.

Would you pay $.25 for a mystery download? Let us know in the comments or discuss it in the forums. 

Source: Razorfish 

We have had Near Field Communications (NFC) available on a BlackBerry smartphone since last year when the Bold 9900 was released. Now it comes as standard on most of the devices that run BlackBerry 7 but until now there hasn't really been much call to use it.

Recently we saw a new update to BlackBerry App World and included in the update was the option to share your app list via NFC. The idea here is that two buddies get together and with a simple tap of their phones one can share his/her entire BlackBerry App World app list with the friend.

As you will see in the above video the process is fast and painless. I am pretty sure NFC will become more and more popular as time goes on as more companies implement the feature into our daily lives. The technology seems to have got off to a slow start but it is nice to see RIM realizing its potential and actually giving ‘normal people' a use for it.

With BlackBerry 10 on the horizon I am confident that NFC will be used in many new ways and Thorsten Heins hinted on this recently when he said "BlackBerry 10 will connect users not just to each other, but to the embedded systems that run constantly in the background of everyday life - from parking meters and car computers to credit card machines and ticket counters". NFC must be implemented in there somewhere.

Download BlackBerry App World for BlackBerry smartphones

This commercial showing off BlackBerry Tag made me chuckle quite a bit. BlackBerry commercials have been a bit "blah" over the years, but this one is pretty amusing -- simply showing off the BlackBerry Tag feature that is available with NFC devices. We've seen BlackBerry Tag a bunch in the past, but if you don't already know, it lets you easily exchange info, files, photos and much more.

What do you think of the latest spot from RIM? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Belfast Dispatcher

We all know that NFC is the future in mobile payments; heck your credit card or bank card may already have the technology built into it.

With NFC technology already in real world use, it isn’t too far of a stretch to believe that this tech will be making it’s way onto our next generation BlackBerrys and other mobile devices as well. In the third and final installment of the “CrackBerry goes to Waterloo” series, I’m going to take a look on just how RIM is planning to build a more connected future with BlackBerry and Near Field Communications technology.

To understand how RIM currently feels about  NFC, we need to see how they’ve implemented it into the BlackBerry 7 operating system currently, with your NFC enabled BlackBerry, you can do a few things like transferring photos and videos to another BlackBerry, adding a BBM contact, suggesting apps from App World and more all by just a touch.  If you haven’t tried it out, I suggest you do so. Also, RIM has built NFC into the all-new BlackBerry Stereo Gateway - a Bluetooth connected media hub that allows you to connect to your BlackBerry by just a tap. With the current implementation, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine just where things are headed in the connected future.

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While NFC technology has been around for nearly decade, it’s only been within the past couple of years that we’ve seen it being supported in the mobile world. In this form we see NFC having many different uses, some as simple as checking in with Foursquare, assisting with Bluetooth pairing or even to make a mobile payment. A few months back, Fonware released NFCShortcuts, which allowed users to set up shortcuts or applications to launch with a simple tap against an NFC tag. Additionally, you can pair NFCShortcuts with Fonware’s ShortcutMe to create a marco-tastic NFC experience, such as sending off SMS or emails for you, changing your sound profiles and more. Imagine tapping your BlackBerry smartphone against your desk at work to turn on and access the company WiFi or using a tag on/in your car to turn on Bluetooth – it’s quick and convenient. The next thing you know, your home or office will be littered with tags and you’ll find yourself becoming a tapaholic. Earlier in the year, Adam had a blast discovering how easy NFC was to use and how far you could potentially go with it.

Normally, NFCShortcuts would go for $2.99 in BlackBerry App World but, for today only, you can get it for a mere $0.99. Keep in mind that this covers the NFCShortcut application only, not the NFC tags that are required. Fonware suggests that you pick up Mifare Ultralight tags. With this kind of power in your hands, what would you use NFC for? Let us know! Check out an NFCShortcuts video after the jump.

More information/Download NFCShortcuts

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If having accessories working for you is your kind of thing, then you'll want to check out this how to guide. Within BlackBerry 7, RIM has built a feature called 'Smart Accessory'. The Smart Accessory feature allows various manufactures to build an option in to their accessory that will allow it to talk to your BlackBerry smartphone, thus allowing your phone to change the sound profile when it's placed in a dock for example. The options don't stop at sound profiles, you can also make driving safer and disable the network connection. Disabling the network would stop you from messaging people while you're driving down the highway. Continue reading to learn how to enable the Smart Accessory option on your BlackBerry smartphone.

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Despite the fact that NFC is still a growing technology, there has been quick adoption of it in various parts of the world and one company that has proven they'll be making use of it whenever and wherever possible is RIM. A new venture between Research In Motion, Orange and SITA in cooperation with the Toulouse-Blagnac airport in France will take 50 frequent flyers and have them partake in NFC trial testing throughout the airport. As noted in the press release:

"With NFC technology, the mobile phone simplifies the passenger’s journey through the airport, says Jean-Michel Vernhes, CEO of Toulouse-Blagnac airport. It now becomes a personalized tool displaying the right information at the right time. It also enables passengers to better manage their journey, so they can choose how they spend their time at the airport. For T-B airport, the approach is to give to flyers access to leading-edge technologies that enhance and facilitate their experience at the airport in providing new Premium services."

The trial testing of NFC in the Toulouse-Blagnac airport is just a starting point for further NFC usage within airports as a whole. The trial testing information will ultimately be put to use in an upcoming smartphone application planned for 2013-2014.

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Here in the UK we saw RIM kick off their new marketing campaign just two weeks ago with a TV advert suggesting that "There are people who don't, and people who do" -- and that same concept is staying in place with two new, shorter commercials that have cropped up on BlackBerry UK's YouTube channel.

This time the adverts are targeting specific features and devices.

The first is promoting BBM Music on the BlackBerry Curve 9320, which is perfect timing as the device is now available on all UK networks. The second commercial features the BlackBerry Bold 9790 and its NFC payment capabilities. The last video focuses on the BlackBerry 7 web browser and the Bold 9900.

Although NFC has been around for a while now on BlackBerry Samrtphones it is one of those features that we don't really see in everyday use. Does this new advert mean NFC payments are going to be more readily available soon? Let's hope so as although the public may well need educating on the technology I strongly believe it is something we will see a lot more of in the near future.

It is also great that RIM are not sitting back, happy with their one TV commercial and are targeting the consumer from various angles.

Do you think they are on the right path? See the other videos below and then sound off in the comments!

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Today Iris ID Systems announced that they are making the IrisAccess Platform interoperable with select NFC enabled BlackBerry devices that are equipped with HID Global's iClass Digital Keys. This compatability will allow for individuals to use their BlackBerry to gain physical access to buildings, track time and attendance and other physical identity applications. 

“This is an important milestone in the deployment of mobile access and identity solutions using NFC technology on smartphones,” said Dr. Tam Hulusi, Senior Vice President of Strategic Innovation with HID Global. “NFC-enabled smartphones represent a complementary new platform that we believe will expand the access control market and our card services business while improving user security and convenience.”

Additional uses for NFC on the BlackBerry devices is definitely something that many of us will enjoy, and we can hope to continue to see more of it. Keep reading for the full press release.

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ShortcutMe is a great little app that can really improve how you get things done on your BlackBerry. It allows you to create your own custom shortcuts and macros so you can speed up common tasks and increase your productivity. Create shortcuts for apps, macros to compose email or sms messages, toggle settings and much more. Features include:

• 150 fully customizable shortcuts for major BlackBerry® applications and tasks.
• Assign 3 applications to each convenience key.
• Assign 3 applications to Space key (Only for devices with full QWERTY keypads).
• Create your own shortcuts to do various tasks i.e. toggle Bluetooth or launch apps
• Use Direct Launch feature to launch apps without even creating a shortcut for it.
• Cascade your shortcuts so that they run one after the other (Leaving Home shortcut, where ShortcutMe turns off WiFi, Turns on Bluetooth, Turns on cellular radio and launches your favorite music so that you can hear it in the car stereo system. All of that by for example just double clicking the Space or side key.

ShortcutMe also fully integrates with NFCShortcuts - so if you use NFC on your BlackBerry 7 device, you'll want to have this app so you can go NFC wild! You can grab ShortcutMe for just $2.99 today only in BlackBerry App World.

More information/Download ShortcutMe

[ youtube link for mobile viewing ]

Have you made use of the NFC feature on your BlackBerry smartphone yet? I haven't yet but Adam certainly has  -- and very soon I'll probably get around to trying it out with NFC tags as well. I've seen some stores in the UK equipped with payment points that are NFC ready and would like to see these enable soon.

Recently, we saw Orange UK and EAT, the restaurant chain bring NFC features to the store giving you daily treats. Back in November 2011, it was announced that RIM and partner Telefonica Digital would bring NFC payments to BlackBerry smartphones. The solution is brought about by Telefonica's BlackBerry Wallet, where you keep all your virtual credit cards and make payments using an NFC-enabled BlackBerry device.

It certainly is a great start to making use of NFC-enabled devices and hopefully we will see more and more businesses adopt the technology to allow us to make payments faster. Check out the video above to see the Telefonica Digital Wallet in action.

Would you use the NFC feature of you BlackBerry smartphone if more stores activate NFC payments? Sound off in the comments!

If you're looking to get into NFC on your BlackBerry smartphone, there is no better place to start than with NFCShortcuts. This simple app gives you the ability to program NFC tags to do thy bidding, quickly and easily. You can find inexpensive tags online at various outlets (like these I picked up on Amazon) and are only limited by your imagination. Team up NFCShortcuts with ShortcutMe and you can program the tags to do anything from turning on your alarm at night to enabling wifi when you're at home to texting your spouse when you're in the car. Check out all the fun stuff I did with mine.

NFCShortcuts sells for $2.99 in BlackBerry App World, but today you can grab it on sale for just $0.99 - that's over 60% off! Head to the link below for more.

More information/Download NFCShortcuts