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.
Reader comments
How to share your apps with NFC and BlackBerry App World
you placed them back to back, does NFC really need to be that close together in order for it to work ???
Yes. Except for the OS7/7.1 Touchscreen Flagship. The mighty 9850/9860. Does not need to be close together at all - - as the flagship does not contain NFC. Another great hardware choice brought to you by RIM.
Lack of NFC support is relative to your service provider/carrier.
Great fetcher if I knew another person with a BB. Also Not all BB has the NFC option.
my bb 9900 no NFC option =(
Are you with T-Mobile? I'm with T-Mobile and I don't have this option available neither. I think they turn this feature off which is very wrong in many level. Any other T-Mobile out there who can confirm this?
TMO_9000_32GB_PB
ATT
NFC is presnet in your device. You need software that utilizes the hardware. Install the later OS.
I'm with T-Mobile and I don't have the NFC option either.
I tried lookign in teh settings but I just couldn't fidn it.
Since RIM allows carriers like T-mobile to turn NFC off, and I have T-mobile, NFC is worthless.
Is it OK to post "me too"?
If so,
Me Too.
AT&T is in the same boat, No NFC for AT&T.
Download other OS's. Try the leaked OS versions. I'm with Tmobile and I have it and use it.
I shouldn't have to do that. RIM should be making it so carriers can't strip out core functionality. But RIM has to appease its carrier partners who tell customers not to buy RIM products.
Generally for NFC you need a gentle tap or a very close swipe (eg NFC purchases, museum info)
I am curious. I understand the sharing of photos , but when you share what you have like apps, is it just a list, or will the apps become usable on their device or is it just unclickable text? and what if he has his own list, will they jumble together? need to wrap my head around this kind of useful ! and , what about paid for apps? sounds like file sharing, the file sharing police will be all over you!
James: if your reading this, I'm sure your friends phone said t-mobile in the signal? I'm on tmobile uk and can't get NFC to work. I've called tmobile who have told me they don't support NFC at the moment yet the networks merged with orange (including now transmitters I hear) and orange users can use NFC and T-mobile can't. I'm furious... Have a phone with a feature that seems to be disabled for new good reason.
Is your friend using a legit OS or cracked one in order to get NFC functionality to work?
Blackberry user since 2004
There is no "cracked" OS. Just install a carrier's OS, from a carrier that doesn't block NFC, and you're good to go.
No "hacking", "cracking" needs to be done.
Rootbrian,
I'd love to believe you, but your statement does not agree with what I've read elsewhere. Are you personally able to use NFC on T-Mobile?
They are totally rely on service providers.So they it is absurd of making any sense to block NFC.
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