What is NFC? How to use NFC on Android

NFC has become the buzzword in this modern Android Dominated world. Although NFC exists for a long time but it is becoming popular these days. It is mainly happening because of the growth of online payments services like Android Pay and Samsung Pay. You can find this NFC (Near Field Communication) options in almost all Android devices that are from mid-range to the high-end Android Devices.

Now, if you are a tech freak means you will obviously know about the NFC but If you are relatively new to this NFC means you might be struggling to know about NFC. Right? Now, don't worry in this article I am going to explain what is NFC and how to use NFC on Android.

What is NFC? 

NFC is nothing but the Near Field Communication. It is the modern technology which actually works to communicate with the near or close devices. This technology helps to communicate with nearby devices via the radio frequencies. This NFC is almost similar to the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options, here in NFC a device will transmit information from one device to another device with the help of radio waves as mentioned above.

In conventional android devices, NFC option is often marketed as the file -sharing option. With this NFC option, you can simply swap files faster than other wireless transfers. You can even do more with this helpful feature in Android such as Pay wave, Data sharing, sharing apps & mobile payments, etc.

Now, you have got some knowledge on what is NFC right?

So, let's get into the other aspects such as How to use NFC on Android device and more.

How to use NFC on Android: 

Using NFC on Android is pretty simple, and the process is almost similar to the WiFi & Bluetooth options. Now, as you want to try NFC on Android, you need to whether your device has NFC option or not.

Nowadays, almost all android phones are having this NFC options, but in older versions, you can only find this option in some high-end devices & mid-range devices. If you want to check this option on your Android device means there is one way to check it without going into the settings.

In particularly the Samsung phone, you'll see an option called “ Near Field Communication” which is printed on the battery pack. On Sony devices, you can see N-mark on the back of the battery which indicates that the device is NFC enabled. However, this is an old process of check NFC now in new models you don't have to look at that as you have other ways to check it quickly.

Just follow these simple steps to know whether you have NFC on your mobile device or not.

• Hover over to the settings section in Android.
• Click on More.
• Then scroll down and watch out for "NFC" and " Android Beam" Option.
• Some devices, you can find NFC in general setting.
• Open settings > more and type in NFC.

Now, these settings may vary depending on the device you use. But by following the above steps, you can get to know whether your device has NFC or not.

Until now we have seen how to check NFC on your device. Now, if you have that NFC option means you can soon activate it and use this device.

If you want to activate NFC on your mobile device means follow these steps.

How to Activate NFC:

• Hover over to the settings tab.
• Click on More
• Then Click on "NFC" to Activate the feature.
• Now, when you turn on "NFC" the Android Beam option will automatically turn on.
• In some cases, if it didn't turn on means click on the Android Beam and select yes to turn it on.

In general, Smartphone’s NFC wide range of features can only be used when you activate Android Beam. If the Android Beam is disabled means, you can't enjoy full functionalities of NFC in Android.

Now as you are thinking about how to use NFC on Android.

Here are the features you can use NFC on Android.

Should Keep a Note on these Data Sharing options:

NFC is always faster in sharing data with other devices than most of the other Wi-Fi sharing apps. If you activate NFC on your phone means you can successfully share your data with other nearby devices. Now while you are sharing data with other make sure you follow these:

• While sharing information both sender and receiver devices should have NFC and Android Beam Activated on their devices.
• Both devices shouldn't be asleep or locked once they are locked then data sharing will be stopped.
• You'll usually get the audio and feedback when two devices detect each other.
• It is always best practice to not to separate your devices until the beaming started.
• You'll hear audio feedback when you successfully receive content or other data.

The process of Beaming Content:

No matter which device you use to share such as a tablet to phone or phone to table the beaming process will remain the same. Even for sharing different files the beaming process is similar. Here is the step by step beaming process to start sharing data with other devices via NFC on Android.

• As said above, Always make sure both devices are turned on.
• Open the content which you want to share.
• Just place the two android devices backs against each other.
• Stay still until you heard a haptic confirmation sound on both devices.
• Now, just notice the sender's screen shrink into a small thumbnail, and it displays " touch to beam" at the top of the screen.
• Just click on the sender's screen to start beaming.
• You will generally hear some sound at the start of beaming content and at the end of transmitting content as well.

Until now we have seen the process of How to use NFC on Android. Now let's see the real features of NFC.

Sharing apps:

Sharing apps through NFC is not recommended by most of the people because it will not the App's Apk with another device. Instead, it shares the app's play store page, so it is considered as the major cons in the NFC.

Sharing Web content & Youtube Videos: 

If you want to share web content means it will not share the offline downloaded page instead it will share the webpage URL with another device. Similar to the web content your youtube videos will not be shared through NFC instead it will share the Youtube URL.

Sharing Content is comfortable with NFC:

This is one of the best options in NFC while sharing contacts info in NFC it will automatically be saved to the device' phone book. So, no need to save contacts, unlike some disturbing sharing apps.
Sharing Photos:

With NFC you can merely send photos. To send images all you have to do is the open image you want to send to the other device and pace both devices closely and tap on the sender's screen when beem promoted. It won't take much time to share files as it is faster than regular sharing apps.

Mobile Payments Features in NFC: 

The best feature of NFC is the mobile payments features. In NFC you can quickly, pay just by waving at the device. This is the main reason people use NFC for other than small features. There are lots of options available in NFC payments the best of the payment methods are Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Now, if you strive to make payment with your phone via NFC means you have to sign up for one of the popular payment methods and you can start making your payments at the supported retailers. Always remember to make a payment you have to activate NFC.

Steps to make mobile payment:

• Activate NFC on your phone.
• Hold your back of the device very close the payment terminal for a couple of seconds. Then wait until the payment is completed.
• It's that easy you can find these type of payments in all US, UK, and Australia.

This is how to use NFC on Android. After seeing the above options, you will definitely love to use NFC for payments as it is super quick and very secure process. It is worth a try if you haven't used this process yet for your payments.

Fall Detection, a Clever Feature of Apple Watch Series 4

The Apple Watch Series 4 is one of the most sought-after wearables. The sales figures have hit the roof as the orders suggest. Besides a great improvement on the internals, there is also a larger display. Along with this the Apple Watch series 4 has come out with better and improved health features and includes the ECG monitoring feature.

The Apple Watch series 4 has an added feature called Fall Detection. If the wearer has a significant fall, then it will call for help in the absence of any movement within a minute of the fall.

How does the Fall Detection feature work? 

If the wearer has had a significant fall, then the Apple Watch Series 4 will tap on the wearer’s wrist. It sounds an alarm and will display an alert. In the eventuality of an emergency, you can contact the emergency services. In case there is no cause of raising an alarm, you can dismiss the alert signal by either tapping ‘I fell, but I’m OK’ or ‘I did not fall’

If the Apple Watch detects that there is some motion after the fall, then it will wait for the wearer to respond to the alert and will not call the emergency services immediately.

On the other hand, if the wearer is immobile for at least a minute, then the Fall Detection feature will begin a 15-minute countdown. It will tap on your wrist and sound a warning. The alert keeps getting louder until the wearer or someone nearby can hear it.

At the end of the countdown, the Apple Watch will contact the emergency services. The Fall Detection feature also sends messages to your emergency contacts letting them know the location of the fall and also that the emergency services have been contacted.

In order to contact the emergency services, the wearer should make sure to turn on the Fall Detection feature. To do this, you need to open the Settings app on your smartwatch, tap General and turn on the Fall Detection feature. Along with this, the falls will be recorded in the Health app, unless the wearer replies in the negative when the Apple Watch asks about the fall.

The Apple Watch Series 4 stores all the fall history in the Health app. To check the fall history, open the Health app on your iPhone, tap the Health Data tab and tap Results.

Apple’s Jeff Williams has explained that the Fall detection feature of the Apple Watch Series 4 detects only serious falls and not the usual stumbles and trips.

In order to check out this Fall Detection feature, Joanna Stern of The Wall Street Journal employed a clever strategy. She used an actual Hollywood stunt double to test out the Fall Detection feature. The stunt double aped a significant fall as accurately as possible. After the test was conducted she noted that the Apple Watch Series 4 was quite accurate when it came to detecting a serious fall and ignoring a fake fall.

The Fall Detection feature turns on by default for the wearers who are 65 years or older.

Researchers develop 3D printed objects that can track and store how they are used

Researchers at the University of Washington have devised a way by which technology can be made from 3D printers, which can be got from the off- the shelf and what’s more is that these 3D printed objects wouldn’t have to use electronics or be made from electronic materials to work. These 3D printed objects can be in the form of a pill bottle which is “smart” in the sense that it helps a patient remember when to take their pills.

However with 3D printed objects made of plastic, they cannot be monitored by researchers to show how the pill bottle and such is being used by the patient- that is whether they find it convenient enough for a next time use or once is enough. But researchers have found a way to overcome this obstacle as well.

The Solution to 3D Printed Objects is “Backscatter”: 

 Researchers at the University of Washington have found a technique known as “backscatter” that helps these devices store data offline and then send that information when the device is back online using an antenna. The 3D printed object can also receive information in the same manner- by reflecting the signal off of an antenna.

This backscatter technique helps sort the problem of not knowing how the patient uses the 3D printed object. It also helps keep the cost low by using only plastic and non- electronic parts.

Connecting the 3D Printed Object to Wi- Fi: 

Researchers at Washington University have found a way for the 3D printed object to connect to the Wi- Fi. This will allow the 3D printed object to order a pill bottle online when the current stock is running low, say for example, when the patient requires some more.

By making 3D printed tech from plastics and without using any electronics, it keeps the cost low while also you could get the object wet without worrying about spoiling it. This opens up a whole new set of applications where the same technique can be used.

The Monitoring Problem in 3D Printed Objects: 

In the researchers previous study they could track data going in one direction and wanted to do so in two directions as well. That means that while a 3D printed object could track detergent levels which saved information in one direction, researchers also wanted data to be tracked in both directions like the opening and closing of a pill bottle.




With one directional data movement, researchers used gears that allowed a fluid to move through when the gear moved in one direction and this liquid would push a switch down to reach the antenna.
For two directional data movement, researchers have now developed two gears one on the top and the other on the bottom. This apparatus works in the same way as well with the fluid and gears. So as the pill bottle is opened the gear moves in one way, pressing the top antenna and when it is closed the gears move in the other way, pressing the bottom antenna.

Discovery of a new Printing Technology Making use of Sound Waves

Engineers from the University of Harvard have come out with a new printing technology that makes use of sound waves. This is a great revolution in printing where the sound waves control the droplet flow of highly viscous liquids. In other words, the new printing Technology involves a printer which uses sound to print with the help of tiny droplets of highly viscous liquids.

The new printing technology will help in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and bioprinting. Here they use biopolymer and cell-laden solutions which are 100 times denser than water.

According to Jennifer Lewis, a senior author and professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, the new printing technology that they have created helps printing in a drop-on-demand manner.

In the new Printing Technology, how the liquid can be manipulated with the help of sound waves: 

We see in Inkjet printing which patterns liquid droplets, the liquids are about 10 times more viscous than water. The researchers are far more interested in liquids that are more viscous. In the case of biopharmaceuticals and bioprinting, biopolymer and cell-laden solutions are about 100 times more viscous than water. There are some sugar-based biopolymers which have the same viscosity as honey which is about 25,000 times more viscous than water. Viscosity of fluids is influenced by temperature and composition changes. With the result, controlling the droplet size becomes difficult and hence it is not possible to optimize the printing parameters.

The researchers therefore wanted to develop a new printing technology independent of the viscosity of the fluid. They thus turned their attention to using sound waves. When we consider a liquid under gravitational force, the droplet size is large and the flow of the droplet is difficult to control.

The researchers have thus turned to generating sound waves in order to enhance drop formation. Pressure waves have been used to defy the earth’s gravitational force, as is seen in Acoustic Levitation. These same sound waves are being used by the researchers to assist gravity and the new technology adopted is known as acoustophoretic printing.

The researchers have built a sub-wavelength acoustic resonator that can generate a highly confined acoustic field that can pull a force that is 100 times more than the gravitational force at the tip of the printer nozzle. In this new printing technology, the controlled force then pulls each droplet from the nozzle on attaining a specific size. It is then ejected on the area for printing. If the amplitude of the sound waves is high then the droplet size is small, irrespective of the fluid’s viscosity.

The new Printing Technology can have a wider scope: 

The new printing Technology was carried out on different materials like honey, stem-cell inks, biopolymers, optical resins and liquid metals. It was seen that the sound waves do not travel through the droplet and hence the method was safe to use even in the case of sensitive living cells or proteins. They hope that the new printing technology can help in the manufacture of new biopharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food.

What We Know About Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

All there is to Know about Google Pixel 3!

As the year reaches its close, all the big smart phone manufacturers are set to launch their latest mobile offering and while many of them have already dons so, Google is still left. With the latest Galaxy and the latest iPhones from Samsung and Apple respectively, Google’s Pixel 3 is the next highly anticipated phone. But what can we expect from Google’s to- be- released- offering?

While there are facts in the world there are also rumours and the tech world is filled to the brim with them. So, without further ado let’s see what new rumours Google Pixel 3 has brought out.

Design of the new Google Pixel 3:

Continuing with the Pixel name tag, This year around, Google plans on releasing its new Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL. The main design upgrades that both phones have in store is that both the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will feature front facing cameras. This is besides the rear one, of course.

Talking about Google Pixel 3, the phone will be the same as last year’s Pixel 2’s design except now with smaller bezels and a 5.4inch display.

Google Pixel 3 XL on the other hand will be bigger at 6.7inches display rather than the 6inches last year. The Google Pixel 3 XL will also bear the same notch design that major manufacturers have adopted in this past year.

Cameras on the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL:

The bar is set at a high level this year as was last year. Google’s camera has been one of the best on the market and this year expectations are higher than ever before.

The rear camera on the Google pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be the as that of last year standing at 12.2MP. What further improvements Google has in store for its camera layout is anyone’s guess.

The only improvement heard so far through rumour mills is that Google plans on updating its Pixel Visual Core Image Chip.

The front facing cameras will each be 8.1MP.

What more can you Expect from the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL?

Both of the phones are said to come with a USB-C port instead of a headphone jack and a finger print scanner which is the same as last year’s models.

The only thing different this year around is that both phones will come with wireless charging that is a welcome addition form last year’s models.

As for the processor on both Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL- both will come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor.

Apart from this, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will both come with Android 9 Pie and also have an “active edge grip” that summons Google Assistant with a squeeze at the sides of the phone.

Colour Choice on the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: 

Black and white will be the common options for the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones with unexpected pink and mint green options also being lined up.