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.
Would love to be able to try this out but just like every other useful feature on my phone AT&T has it disabled, UMA, NFC, Wifi Hotspot, hell I don't even have the FM radio!
One thing you didn't mention and I was wondering why in the world i couldn't find it- the Media Server feature on my 9810 since i have 7.1 bundle 998 and BB says that it's on all phones with bundle 921 and higher. AT&T. One thing I can tell you, if you can find bundle 898 (i think) and 998 you can enable Mobile Hotspot. I don't know if you like to meddle with leaked or other carrier's software versions. I don't think the Torches were NFC enabled, it was only the the newer Bolds and Curves? Not having FM radio sucks i didn't even know that existed. I unlocked my 9810... gonna go to a different carrier soon.
All OS7 devices have NFC, I'm on bundle 1149 and I have the option to turn on wifi hotspot but AT&T has it blocked, (clicking the check box pops up screen saying contact AT&T to turn on feature, and doing that will kill my grandfathered unlimited plan) I got the FM radio on my phone thanks to rroyy! But its still a shame no NFC...
Even that several thousands people are using NFCShortcuts, I don't think there are any open tickets for it (except one that turned out to be caused by defective pins for the NFC antenna). So the app itself is working.
If you still think that your problem with the app is not solved, please send email to nfcs at fonware dot ca
Any link to guidance on which tags to buy? I saw the "Mifare Ultralight" but there seem to be a bunch - different sizes and "pre-formatted" or not? Running BB 9930. Thanks!
batrad Jul 6, 2012 at 9:41 am
sweet.. been holding out for a while for this app
hope they discount ShortcutMe as well ... great combo
Vijik Jul 6, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Glad to hear that you got it at sales price.
ShortcutMe is already on sale (%20 off).
groller Jul 6, 2012 at 9:53 am
Absolutely a cool feature, but what's that comic-y sans looking font in the setup :)
Ben1232 Jul 6, 2012 at 10:06 am
They're both cool apps. I grabbed this last time it was 99p.
Go get it :D
togardergrosse Jul 6, 2012 at 10:32 am
I bought it at normal price one month a go. Still, no regrets!
chucklebutte Jul 6, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Would love to be able to try this out but just like every other useful feature on my phone AT&T has it disabled, UMA, NFC, Wifi Hotspot, hell I don't even have the FM radio!
Torch 8910 OS 7.1 such a shame....
extisis Jul 6, 2012 at 12:42 pm
One thing you didn't mention and I was wondering why in the world i couldn't find it- the Media Server feature on my 9810 since i have 7.1 bundle 998 and BB says that it's on all phones with bundle 921 and higher. AT&T. One thing I can tell you, if you can find bundle 898 (i think) and 998 you can enable Mobile Hotspot. I don't know if you like to meddle with leaked or other carrier's software versions. I don't think the Torches were NFC enabled, it was only the the newer Bolds and Curves? Not having FM radio sucks i didn't even know that existed. I unlocked my 9810... gonna go to a different carrier soon.
chucklebutte Jul 6, 2012 at 2:01 pm
All OS7 devices have NFC, I'm on bundle 1149 and I have the option to turn on wifi hotspot but AT&T has it blocked, (clicking the check box pops up screen saying contact AT&T to turn on feature, and doing that will kill my grandfathered unlimited plan) I got the FM radio on my phone thanks to rroyy! But its still a shame no NFC...
togardergrosse Jul 6, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Nope. NFC capable devices currently are the:
- Curve 9350/60/70
- Bold 9790, 9900/30 + Porsche Design P9981
And only the Curve with 7.1 have FM Radio:
- Curve 9220, 9320, 9360.
Torch 9810, 9850/60 don't have NFC+FM Radio.
Vijik Jul 6, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Correct list with minor addition:
Curve Touch, 9380, also has NFC.
kdna Jul 6, 2012 at 2:25 pm
This app doesn't work AT ALL. I wish it did, because I payed $2.99 for it. The developer said there will be an update to the app when there was none.
SCAMMER.
Vijik Jul 6, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Even that several thousands people are using NFCShortcuts, I don't think there are any open tickets for it (except one that turned out to be caused by defective pins for the NFC antenna). So the app itself is working.
If you still think that your problem with the app is not solved, please send email to nfcs at fonware dot ca
NickinVA Jul 6, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Any link to guidance on which tags to buy? I saw the "Mifare Ultralight" but there seem to be a bunch - different sizes and "pre-formatted" or not? Running BB 9930. Thanks!
NickinVA Jul 6, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Should have kept clicking... this link is pretty good:
http://crackberry.com/how-use-nfc-tags-blackberry
ura420 Jul 6, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Where can i get that case? Looks simple.