How to make NFC Tags for a Quick Check In

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How to make NFC Tags for a Quick Check In

How to make NFC Tags for a Quick Check In

NFC Tag Series: Programming an NFC Tag Part 6- Using NFC Tags for a Quick Check In on Facebook

Welcome back to RescueRoot and today, we treat you to another tutorial about programming NFC Tags. Our current world is engulfed in Social Networking. There was even a report that there are now more Social Network Consultants than babies in a certain country. The world is taking the online Social Network very seriously.

Social Networks are also a very easy and convenient way of keeping track of your own steps as well as traces of your loved ones, provided they let you see that information. People’s habit of “checking in” to places with their favorite social network gave rise to the popular Foursquare check in which has been emulated by popular Social Networks such as Facebook and Google+.

For today’s tutorial, we will step away from the NFC Task Launcher and instead use Samsung’s NFC programming app called “Samsung TecTile

There are currently two versions of this app. For those in the US and Canada, the app is bumped to version 3.0. The rest of the world seems to be stuck at version 1.1.1. I have uploaded the version 3.0 here so you can install it manually if you want the added functions of the app.

The reason I use this is because generally, if you just want to program a single check in, this program works best so far. Even if the app was meant to be used with Samsung’s branded TecTile NFC tags, the app can actually be used to program any NFC Tag.

Checking into Facebook

Checkin 1The first thing you would need is to launch the TecTile app. It has a fairly simple interface, which makes programming more user-friendly. On the other hand, many have complained that the app doesn’t have as many functions as other apps out there. Simplicity also breeds simpler commands.

To check into Facebook, you might thing right away that you need to touch the “Social” category. That’s wrong.

You need to choose “Location & Web” for this task.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkin 2You would then be shown a list of actions you can program under this category. From here, we would like to try posting a check in on Facebook to let our dear friends know where we are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkin 3If this is the first time you would be using the TecTile app to post stuff on Facebook, you would be greeted with a Facebook log in screen like the one on the left.

If you are not using the Facebook app or you are not logged in to your Facebook app, you might first see a screen where you need to enter your username and password.

If you are already logged in, you just need to confirm the log in using the button at the upper right.

As you can see on the middle left, you can change the visibility of posts that are published through your NFC tag.

 

 

 

 

Checkin 4You would then be asked permission to let the TecTile app perform some actions on your Facebook page. These permissions are necessary for the app to interact with Facebook as intended.

 

 

 

 

 

Checkin 5After you have confirmed the permissions for the app, you can now choose a place that your NFC Tag will automatically check you into.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkin 6A list should appear that will allow you to choose from nearby places. As you may have noticed, it would be best to program your quick check in NFC tag near the place where you would use the tag to make sure that you can find the place in Facebook’s nearby location database.

Once you have chosen, choose “Next” to ready the device to program the information to your NFC Tag.

 

 

 

Once here, simply tap the tag to your phone long enough for the program to finish recording the information.

Checkin 7

Testing the Tag

To test your newly created tag, simply tap the NFC Tag again to your device. The app would immediately pick up the code and launch the automatic Facebook check in to your preferred location.

A confirmation toast would greet you as soon as the process is done.

Checkin 8

Potential Use Cases

This is a perfect tag to carry along when you are frequently going to a certain place. I know it is highly unlikely for you to be able to leave the tag on a public place such as a restaurant or a shop that you frequent, but you can carry the tag on a keychain or something to that effect and use it as necessary.

You can also put it in places you work, provided that your employer allows you to stick a tag to the place. Chances are your employer might find it useful as well and thank you for it. Employers can use the tag to a certain degree since they would be able to detect when exactly you entered the premises, and if the same app exists in other phones, other employees can make use of it as well.

1 Comment

  1. don asays: December 19, 2014 at 12:23 am

    How can I setup, checkin ,to a location that I am not presently near. Like my work and I am at home now.
    or my favorite restaurant when I am home making tags.

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