NFC PayPass Rick Roll
=====================

NFC_ tags are tiny wireless storage devices, with very thin antennas, attached
to poker chip sized stickers.  They're sort of like RFID tags, but they only
have a 1 inch range, come in various capacities, and can be easily rewritten.
If the next iPhone adds a NFC reader I think they'll be huge.  As it is they're
already pretty fun and only a buck each even when `bought in small quantities`_.

Marketers haven't figured it out yet, but `no one wants to scan QR barcodes`_.
The hassle with QR codes is that you have to fire up a special barcode reader
application and then carefully focus on the barcode with your phone's camera.
NFC tags have neither of those problems.   If your phone is awake it's "looking
for" NFC tags, and there's no aiming involved -- just tap your phone on the tag.

A NFC tag stores a small amount of data that's made available to your phone when
tapped.  It can't make you phone do anything your phone doesn't already do, and
your phone shouldn't be willing to do anything destructive or irreversible (send
money) without asking for your confirmation.

People are using NFC tags to turn on bluetooth when their phone is placed in
a stickered cup-holder, to turn off their email notification checking when their
phone is placed on their nightstand, and to bring up their calculator when their
phone is placed on their desk.  Most anything your phone can do can be triggered
by a NFC tag.

NFC tags are already in use for transit passes, access keys, and payment
systems.  I can go to any of a number of businesses near my home and make
a purchase by tapping my phone against the Master Card PayPass logo on the card
scanner.  My phone will then ask for a pin and ask me to confirm the purchase
price which is deducted from my Google Wallet or charged to my Citi MasterCard.

I'm still batting around ideas for a first NFC project, maybe a geocaching
/ scavenger-hunt-like trail of tags with clues, but meanwhile I made some fake
Master Card PayPass labels that are decidedly more fun:

.. youtube:: vHgyNMo_h9Y
   :align: center
   :width: 425
   :height: 344

Keep in mind that phone has absolutely no non-standard software or settings on
it.  Any NFC-reader equipped phone that touches that tag will be rick rolled.
Now to get a few of those out on local merchants' existing credit card readers.

.. _NFC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication
.. _bought in small quantities: http://www.webevolved.com/nfctags
.. _no one wants to scan QR barcodes: http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/

.. tags: ideas-built, funny