Nook e-readers getting NFC

afv011 · 05-01-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Barnes & Noble's CEO William Lynch is ready to talk about the future. Fortune sat down with him to discuss the deal and what's next for the Nook. The answer to the latter is, at least in part, near-field communication.

Source

Android Beam to share books?

kennyc · 05-01-2012, 04:03 PM

Isn't that what's used to purchase ... the new type of "swipe" credit cards or am I confused?

Hellmark · 05-01-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Isn't that what's used to purchase ... the new type of "swipe" credit cards or am I confused?

Yeah, the tech behind RFID. It can be used for other things, really anything that is small bits of text. Device sends a signal, which powers the chip and lets the chip respond back. B&N is going to use it by having signs with RFID chips, and when you wave the nook infront of the sign, it'll bounce back the text for a review on what the sign is about.

elemenoP · 05-01-2012, 05:30 PM

Yeah, because whenever we talk about improvements we would like to see in future ereaders, the ability to wave your reader and get reviews on a nearby book is the first thing that comes up.

eP

afv011 · 05-01-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Isn't that what's used to purchase ... the new type of "swipe" credit cards or am I confused?

Android Beam lets you share stuff with NFC, like links on the browser, contact info and such, by simply pressing a button while the 2 devices are close to one another. The API should let developers (including B&N) share whatever stuff they want, within the limits set by the standard.

wallcraft · 05-01-2012, 06:12 PM

This is a reasonable way to take advantage of B&N's physical stores, offering something that is harder for the other dedicated ebook device makers to do.

However, any smartphone with a camera and an internet connection can do something similar with Google Shopper or the Amazon shopper app.

K. Molen · 05-01-2012, 06:19 PM

Done right, this could help keep the physical stores relevant a while longer.

It's easy to see a future where shoppers browse B&N's physical stores and when they see a book they like, they simply place their Nook on the cover of that book and it's automatically bought and downloaded onto the Nook.

Or maybe an interface would pop up on the Nook, where they can click to read reviews, click to see other works by the same author, click to see "similar titles" recommendations, and of course click to buy.

SeaKing · 05-01-2012, 06:28 PM

The security of these type schemes has always been the problem.

i.e. The wave as you pass by the cash register to pay. Where did that go?

security...security... security..$#BREACH!!*$..

taustin · 05-01-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaKing

The security of these type schemes has always been the problem.

i.e. The wave as you pass by the cash register to pay. Where did that go?

security...security... security..$#BREACH!!*$..

Actually, it's still around, and part of the new credit card system (in the US - it's been in use in other parts of the world for as much as a decade) being rolled out over the next few years. Just hasn't gotten much press lately.

ProfCrash · 05-02-2012, 11:03 AM

What is NFC? I am clueless

AnemicOak · 05-02-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

What is NFC? I am clueless

near-field communication

ProfCrash · 05-02-2012, 11:19 AM

OK. And this is helpful for what reason?

Look, I already owned up to being clueless...

K. Molen · 05-02-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

OK. And this is helpful for what reason?

NFC is basically a data transfer technology that works by proximity. Put two NFC enabled items close to each other, and they automatically start talking with each other.

Examples of why that could be useful for B&N and Nook can be found in my post above.

HarryT · 05-02-2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taustin

Actually, it's still around, and part of the new credit card system (in the US - it's been in use in other parts of the world for as much as a decade) being rolled out over the next few years. Just hasn't gotten much press lately.

Yes, my Amazon UK Mastercard has it.

jasoraso · 05-02-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

What is NFC? I am clueless

NFC means Near Field Communications. Functionally, it is a wireless communication system that is VERY short range. Think of Cell phones being 3 miles, wifi being 300 ft, bluetooth is 33 ft, and NFC is 3mm.

There are Credit cards that have NFC chips built in them. When at a cash register, you tap the card (not swipe) against the debit/credit card reader, and the transaction is processed. The credit card transfers its information wirelessly to the credit card reader, rather than via swiping. Mastercard has been using the technology for a couple years (in the U.S.), under the brand "PayPass". In Utah, it seems that 90% of the Paypass capable credit card machines seem to be in 7-11 convenience stores, although some Home Depots and other stores have them now (there is an Android app that shows all locations where paypass machines are installed). The light rail trains and buses in Utah are also Paypass capable.

There are cellphones now that have the NFC chip built in the back. My Galaxy Nexus (Android) phone has it - I buy a pepsi nearly every day at 7-11 using my phone. The nice thing about my phone, is that my NFC chip that is associated with a Paypass Mastercard prepaid card requires me to enter a PIN to use it, making it a bit more secure than the regular Mastercard with NFC chip.

I have read of other people with phones like mine, who have a purchased 10 or 20 NFC tags. They program the tag, and put it by their bed, on their night stand. Then, when they go to bed, they tap their NFC capable phone to the NFC tag on their nightstand, and the phone realizes where it is, and then executes a pre-programmed script - setting the phone into night mode, setting the alarm clock, turning off alerts for emails etc.

Now, imagine a NFC tag either in a book binding (they cost about $1 retail) or on a label next to a stack of books in a B&N store. You just tap your Nook against the book, and the Nook will pull up the book on the store app of your Nook - with a BUY button very clearly labelled. No messing with cameras/QR codes/scanning software the way that cellphones do right now.

The galaxy nexus phones can communicate with each other using their NFC chips - holding one phone against the other phone, and business card information, pictures, or other information is easily transferred.

Nooks could be programmed the same way.

There is a big future in NFC, and I would be excited to have one in my Nook!

05-01-2012, 06:19 PM	#7
K. Molen Addict Posts: 284 Karma: 4478866 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, ON Device: Kindle 3, iPad 3, Nexus 10, Nexus 5	Done right, this could help keep the physical stores relevant a while longer. It's easy to see a future where shoppers browse B&N's physical stores and when they see a book they like, they simply place their Nook on the cover of that book and it's automatically bought and downloaded onto the Nook. Or maybe an interface would pop up on the Nook, where they can click to read reviews, click to see other works by the same author, click to see "similar titles" recommendations, and of course click to buy. Last edited by K. Molen; 05-02-2012 at 08:08 AM.

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05-01-2012, 04:03 PM	#2
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Isn't that what's used to purchase ... the new type of "swipe" credit cards or am I confused?

05-01-2012, 05:30 PM	#4
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Yeah, because whenever we talk about improvements we would like to see in future ereaders, the ability to wave your reader and get reviews on a nearby book is the first thing that comes up. eP

05-01-2012, 06:12 PM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	This is a reasonable way to take advantage of B&N's physical stores, offering something that is harder for the other dedicated ebook device makers to do. However, any smartphone with a camera and an internet connection can do something similar with Google Shopper or the Amazon shopper app.

05-01-2012, 06:28 PM	#8
SeaKing Frequent Flier Posts: 1,282 Karma: 2058993297 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: KB kindle aboard, Galx Tab 7.0 Plus, trying out Droid 1 as mini-tab	The security of these type schemes has always been the problem. i.e. The wave as you pass by the cash register to pay. Where did that go? security...security... security..$#BREACH!!*$..

05-02-2012, 11:03 AM	#10
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	What is NFC? I am clueless

05-02-2012, 11:19 AM	#12
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	OK. And this is helpful for what reason? Look, I already owned up to being clueless...