This little box adds NFC mobile printing to recent HP LaserJet, Officejet printers

HP wasn’t the first to embrace near-filed communications (NFC) as a way for printers to keep up with the mobile world—Brother gets that prize—but it’s catching up fast. On Tuesday, the company announced the 1200w Mobile Printing Accessory, a little box that attaches to a printer’s USB port to bring NFC capability. The 1200w works with 2008-era and later LaserJet and Officejet printers (and it assumes that the rear USB port is free, because most business printers use ethernet or another connection). When it ships in early December, the 1200w Mobile Printing Accessory will have a promotional price of $40, a nice discount from its regular price of $50.

Proof Obamacare Requires All Americans to Be Chipped

For the past few years, I have been receiving e-mails from outraged Americans who want to know why the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) requires them to be implanted with a radio frequency identification transponder. Sometimes, they want to know how to deactivate it, and sometimes, they just assail me for supporting this technology. I write back to these people and assure them that I have read the law, and that it requires no such thing. I try to be respectful and share with them the facts

QR codes to provide HCC self guided tours

Hutchinson Community College has now launched a new self guided tour program that uses QR codes and the smartphones and tablets of visitors in order to provide visitors with instant information while they work their way around the local college campus. The announcement was made during the college’s 85th anniversary celebration last weekend. The Hutchinson Community College will now have QR codes positioned at various buildings located all over the campus. This gives visitors the chance to use their mobile devices to scan the barcodes – using any free scanner app – so that they will be able to learn more about the relevant building, architectural feature, or individual.

SQRL: A new method of authentication with QR codes

Steve Gibson is a known security enthusiast and is behind many projects online such as ShieldsUP! and the Security Now! podcast. He can be a controversial figure, but in the past few weeks, he has introduced a brand new authentication system which is starting to gain traction, and approaches the login issue from a completely different way. It's called SQRL, or Secure QR Login. From the user's side, it couldn't be easier. A site that implements this system would simply present a QR code, and anyone who wants to log in would scan it with a phone app, or a desktop app, and then the site would log them in. No username, no password, nothing to type in.

QR codes may store human data for 1 million years and beyond

QR codes are often considered simple marketing tools and are quite effective in advertising around the world. The codes typically go unnoticed by consumers that are not specifically interested in using them, but they could have a major role to play in the longevity of humanity. Scientists from the Human Document Project believe that QR codes could be used to store information concerning the history of human civilization. More importantly, scientists believe that the codes can store this information for over one million years.

IBM taps into NFC with new dual-factor authentication tool for mobile

Odin Launches New RFID-Enabled Asset Tracking and Management System

ODIN Technologies, a Quake Global company, announced the introduction of a new RFID-enabled process automation system for inventory items. Branded as Check It, the new ODIN solution improves inventory accuracy and also saves time and money by automating the check-in and check-out process. The RFID system automatically captures information on each tagged asset and can associate the item to the person responsible, as it moves in and out of storage. This gives asset managers real-time visibility into the location and status of equipment. The system also provides reporting tools for analysis of asset usage. Check It reduces inventory loss, increases asset security and provides an automated audit trail for critical assets such as tools, test equipment and weapons.
The fully customizable Check It solution can be integrated seamlessly with the facility’s existing IT platforms and infrastructure. It is designed to be easy to use with very little operator training.

New Breast Implants to Include RFID Chips

Establishment Labs has started marketing breast implants with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip built in. While this may concern women about the privacy issues, the company claims the RFID chip will provide information about the "Ergonomix breast implant" to a patient and her doctor years later. Establishment Labs will not disclose its first customer, an unidentified chain of U.K. plastic-surgery clinics.

QR codes in 2013 and Beyond

As it stands, QR codes are enjoying a comeback. Touted as the next big thing, QR codes were catapulted into the limelight in Japan – courtesy of a Toyota subsidiary – and they have been introduced into multiple industries since. With everyone’s curiosity piqued, traditional QR codes appeared to have lost some of their shine over the years. The general consensus is that black and white QR codes, as standalone marketing resources, are ineffective at engaging people to scan and interact with them. The challenge therefore was finding ways and means of incorporating QR codes in such a way that they are visually appealing and results oriented.

Get a free smoothie for an NFC tap

Up to one million Jamba Juice smoothies will go to Isis mobile wallet smartphone users later this year, when Isis takes its NFC-ready technology to the national stage. The free smoothie will be available to users of Near Field Communication-enabled smartphones equipped with a special SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) from an Isis joint venture partner -- AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless. The user needs to download the Isis Mobile Wallet and use the phone to pay a bill at a Jamba Juice outlet by tapping the phone at an NFC payment terminal.

Tool coding using Industrial RFID

Tool identification using Industrial RFID increases efficiency, as it makes incorrect tool allocation or missing tools a thing of the past. All the tool-relevant data are stored without contact on a data carrier embedded in the tool holder. Tool identification using Industrial RFID increases efficiency, as it makes incorrect tool allocation or missing tools a thing of the past. All the tool-relevant data are stored without contact on a data carrier embedded in the tool holder.

Commonwealth Bank to deliver true NFC tap payments

Commonwealth Bank has announced its latest app update, with a uniform app interface rolling out across iOS, Android and, for the first time, Windows Phone 8. The updated offering enhances the general interface but also sees the arrival of true NFC integration for certain Android smartphones.
Angus Sullivan, executive general manager of Cards, Payments, Analytics and Retail Strategy, said that supported Android handsets will be announced soon and that integration will deliver true embedded NFC contactless payments for the first time.

Socket Mobile Launches Competitively Priced 2D Apple Certified Barcode Scanner in Multiple Colors

Socket Mobile, Inc. announced the upcoming availability of a new addition to their 2D barcode scanning product line - the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) 7Qi, a small and sleek wireless barcode scanner for the Apple iPad, iPad mini, iPhone and iPod touch. The scanners also support Android and Windows devices. The new 7Qi has similar performance standards and features of Socket's current ruggedized 2D barcode scanner, Model 7Xi, but uses the same colorful housing of our other CHS models. The 7Qi is attractively priced at an MSRP of $429 and Euros 329, making it highly competitive in the 2D scanning market. The 7Qi is available in red, yellow, blue and gray. These colorful barcode scanners enable businesses to enhance corporate branding in retail point-of-sale (POS), field sales and service, and other customer-facing applications needing both 2D and linear barcode scanning capabilities.
Chosen by global POS leaders and independent developers alike for their mobile POS solutions the CHS product range is quickly becoming the barcode scanner of choice. Besides enhancing retail branding, the new colors make the scanners easy to find in store aisles or other busy work environments, enable developers to bundle a cohesive hardware and software solution, and allow personalization of devices among users.

Super-precise motion tracking system uses projected "barcode" light patterns

Arkansas State Fair officials are nailing down new safety and security measures just a few days before the fairgrounds open. This year they're adding a barcode to tickets and passes to help count fair-goers and keep out potential counterfeiters. General Manager Ralph Shoptaw showed his badge and other tickets that now have bar codes. He says in years past they've had problems with counterfeiters and people trying to pass off their tickets for re-use.

Report highlights trends in NFC technology market

IDTechEx, a market research firm, has released a new report concerning the market for NFC technology. The report, titled “Near Field Communication (NFC) 2014-2024,” aims to provide some insight on the trends emerging in the technology space and how these may affect NFC and its uses in the future. The technology is mainly used in the mobile sector to facilitate mobile commerce, but it has other uses in marketing and data sharing that could help it stay relevant well into the future. According to the report, more than 200 million NFC-enabled mobile devices have been deployed in recent years.

The Always-in-Motion QR Code

I’ve seen quite a lot of different mobile technologies at the Money2020 conference in Las Vegas over the last couple of days, but one of the most intriguing was around a new type of QR code. Rather than the traditional black square, static QR code, a mobile remote payment company showed a code that is constantly in motion. The code can carry personal identify information and its targeted use is for ID and ticketing, according to Janos Koka, CEO of Cellum, the European mobile payments application developer.

Startup gets board membership at RFID Research Center at UA

Passenger Baggage Xpress was recently chosen by the RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas to receive a business-level board membership worth $25,000 after hearing the group’s pitch during the finals of the ARK Challenge held last month. The Little Rock-based startup was chosen from a field of eight ARK Challenge finalists as it can benefit from logistical and RFID technologies. PBX uses technology to helps travelers track their belongings, receive notifications of delays and expedite baggage claims.

State Fair Adopts New Barcode System .

Arkansas State Fair officials are nailing down new safety and security measures just a few days before the fairgrounds open. This year they're adding a barcode to tickets and passes to help count fair-goers and keep out potential counterfeiters. General Manager Ralph Shoptaw showed his badge and other tickets that now have bar codes. He says in years past they've had problems with counterfeiters and people trying to pass off their tickets for re-use. "They had to take the ticket and look at it and observe it to make sure it was not counterfeit. Now if it doesn't scan, it's a bad ticket," says Shoptaw.

OCCT ditches RFID card readers, explores other possibilities

Despite the expected launch of a third bus scanning system this semester, Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) scrapped the idea in favor of another version of the devices. Despite a planned launch of the third edition of the bus scanning system this semester, the OCCT has abandoned them in favor of a fourth version. The last system, which will not be used, cost OCCT $3,500. Last April, Jesse Vogl, director of OCCT, said that the transition to the third generation bus scanners would be finished by the fall 2013 semester. However, OCCT decided against finishing the system and is looking into another edition of the scanners.

Cement Manufacturer Plans RFID Rollout to All 16 Plants

As one of India's leading manufacturers of cement and ready-mixed concrete, ACC Ltd. faced a number of challenges when managing its nationwide network of factories and sales offices. The key issues included vehicle traffic congestion within its facilities; uncontrolled movement of truck drivers and other workers at the plants, which created safety issues; a rise in the volume of paperwork related to cement loading; and a lack of visibility into truck movement and availability at the plants.

Taiwanese Fruit Distributor Tracks Fresh Produce Via RFID

Taiwanese fruit producer Je-Nong Cooperative Farm is employing an RFID-based solution to document the receipt and processing of its fresh fruit at its facility in Miaoli County. By using passive EPC ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID tags integrated in plastic crates, the company can monitor every step that the fruit undergoes, as it happens, and the conditions within coolers before the fruit is transported to stores throughout Taiwan, as well as in China, Japan and Korea. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11063#sthash.GzLnV6Sk.dpuf

Argentinean Sea Terminal to Launch RFID-Based Reefer Management

Argentinean container-terminal operator TecPlata is installing an RFID-based solution to track and manage conditions within the refrigerated containers (known as reefer units) stored at Buenos Aries' La Plata Port, making it one of the early adopters of a new system provided by Identec Solutions. The terminal is scheduled to open at the end of this year. At that time, it expects to have half of the approximately 1,000 units onsite equipped with active RFID tags, as well as a number of RFID interrogators. Identec's solution, known as the Reefer Asset Management System (RAMS), has been on the market for about six months, and is already in use by freight carriers, as well as several port terminals. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11039#sthash.PgbWmQiI.dpuf

KoamTac Expands Durable, IP-rated KDC350 with the Addition of a 3-key Model

KoamTac, Inc.has introduced its newest rugged smart scanning device, the KDC350 3-Key, which has all the features and options that have made the keypad-equipped KDC350 an early success. These features include IP65 ingress protection, 1.5m drop survivability, available GPS, available NFC (Near Field Communication) reader and optional long-range bar code reading.
"The KDC350 3-Key still has everything our clients love about the KDC350-but without the alpha-numeric keypad. While the keypad is compact and convenient for combining data entry with scanning, some people just want the simplicity of having only three keys to navigate; now we're giving them that choice with the KDC350 3-Key."
The new device is receiving positive reviews from KoamTac's client base, including Emkat, a Minnesota-based reseller that serves a diverse set of customers with unique outdoor applications. One such example is an ISV partner serving the automotive salvage market.

 

Datex Presents Jamison RFID Webinar How RFID Works

As part of a new effort to help educate supply chain professionals on a wide variety of industry issues, Datex is working with industry leaders to provide webinars, videos and educational content. The fourth webinar in the “Datex Presents” series will be held Thursday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. EDT. Sponsored by Jamison RFID, the brief 30-minute webinar entitled, “How RFID Works” will focus on the basics of RFID technology. Registration for the free event will be available up until the start of the event.
“How RFID Works” is the first in a two part series of webinars facilitated by Jamison RFID experts. The webinar sponsored by Jamison RFID will discuss the basics of RFID such as what RFID is, how the systems work, and the practical uses of RFID. The presentation will provide viewers with a better overall understanding of RFID technology and how it can be applied to improve business operational efficiency.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless non-contact use of radio frequency electronic magnetic fields to transfer data. RFID tags are frequently placed on objects and help with identification and tracking and store information. Today, RFID applications are widely used in the warehousing and distribution, third party logistics (3PL) cold storage warehousing, manufacturing, apparel, pharmaceutical and life sciences, hospitality, retail, healthcare, government and many other industries. The use of RFID can provide the seamless flow of information, help track products and inventory and create tremendous savings from increased accuracy, loss prevention, operational productivity and efficiency and more.
Anthony Dublino, Director of Commercial Business for Jamison RFID, will be the speaker. Mr. Dublino has over 25 years of AUTO-ID technology industry experience working with multiple Fortune 500 companies on the strategic delivery of barcode and RFID solutions.
About Jamison RFID
Since 1906, Jamison Door Company has pioneered the industrial door industry with innovative designs, unsurpassed product quality, and outstanding customer service. The Jamison RFID Division produces the world’s largest variety of RFID portals, housing structures, mounting components, and custom designed enclosures that help track products using RFID during the manufacturing process and throughout the entire supply chain. Jamison services over 5600 warehouse, retail, and supply chain customers from three North American manufacturing plants; in Maryland, Montana, and Mexico City. Jamison RFID offers fully-staffed engineering, customer service, and shipping

Global Vision Introduces New Barcode Verification & Measurement Technologies for PDF Files

Global Vision, the industry leader in the development of innovative proofreading technologies, today announced the addition of barcode verification for PDF files as well as Bar Width Reduction (BWR) and magnification measurements to its BarProof software module. Traditionally, barcode verification required printing a PDF file at high resolution then verifying it with hardware devices. BarProof eliminates this extra step of printing the PDF file, saving time and money.
BarProof is the only barcode decoder and verification tool for PDF files that provides grading, bar width reduction and magnification measurements, guaranteeing scannable barcodes at the checkout counter.
BWR is critical during the pre-press process in order to compensate for different packaging materials and ink spread during production. By verifying BWR values in PDF files upstream in the process, brand owners can be assured that barcodes will achieve expected quality levels.

Proxama to develop NFC solution for the Isis mobile commerce platform

Proxama PLC announced that the Company will work with Isis, the mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, to develop the Isis Mobile Wallet application for NFC-enabled devices using the BlackBerry 10 operating system platform.
Miles Quitmann, Managing Director of Proxama, said: "The roll out of Isis is a significant step forward for NFC as a mainstream consumer technology. We are delighted to be working with Isis on this very exciting venture. Proxama has built up an enviable position in the mobile wallet space. The North American market is a really important one for us."
Proxama's technology platform is proven in supporting consumer engagement, loyalty and secure contactless payments through NFC. Proxama has worked with leading brands such as EAT, KFC, EE, and Barclaycard on NFC initiatives to support consumer engagement and mobile wallets.  

French Oncology Center Prevents Errors Via RFID

Riviera Hospital, a new oncology center in Switzerland, provides radiotherapy treatments to 30 to 42 patients daily. To ensure that every patient receives the proper therapy specific to his condition, the center opened for business with an RFID-based solution already in place. The solution enables the facility to treat patients at a rate of 10 to 15 minutes each—a decrease from the more typical 15 to 20 minutes per patient required without RFID technology, the center's management estimates.

But more importantly, says Marc Pachoud, Riviera Hospital's medical physicist and radiotherapy group leader, linking an ID number on a patient's ID card with the IDs of any treatment devices used on that individual provides assurance that no patient receives inappropriate therapy. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11046#sthash.r5TDEqf9.dpuf

Tesco embraces augmented reality

UK retail giant Tesco has made an update to its Tesco Discover application. The application was designed to improve the shopping experience for consumers and has been relatively popular among tech-savvy people throughout the United Kingdom. Now, the application will leverage augmented reality to further enhance the shopping experience. Using the application, shoppers will be able to access a wide range of dynamic augmented reality content that is designed to provide consumers with information and entertainment.

RFID Tracks Cheese Production at Tnuva's Factories

Global dairy products company Tnuva produces cheese and other food products sold to consumers throughout Israel, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. The manufacture of high-quality cheese is a sensitive process that requires heating, cooling and soaking at very specific lengths of time. If any mistakes are made, an entire lot must be discarded. Five years ago, the company began using LogiTag Systems' RFID technology at one plant, to track the process of manufacturing cheese on conveyor belts. A few years later, it expanded the deployment to a second factory, to monitor a more complex process in which batches of cheese pass through a series of stations before being loaded onto pallets and then being shipped.

QR codes used for express hotel check ins

Guests of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group locations will be able to scan to check in for their stays. Starting in October, guests of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group locations will be able to reduce the amount of time that it takes to check in for their stay by being able to use personalized QR codes that can be scanned.

Google Docs can automatically generate QR Codes

Tyco Retail Solutions Debuts RFID-Based Inventory Display Execution Application

As part of its Inventory Intelligence solution, Tyco Retail Solutions (www.tycoretailsolutions.com), a leading global provider of retail performance and security solutions, today unveiled a new RFID-enabled application. The TrueVUE Inventory Display Execution application allows retailers to count display items quickly and easily to ensure that all models and styles in stock are represented on the sales floor. By harnessing the power of RFID, retailers gain process efficiency, improved inventory visibility and increased display compliance. In addition, the packaged application is easy to implement, and already providing immediate benefits at leading retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue. While the new Display Execution application is ideal for department stores and specialty footwear retailers, it is also beneficial to the broader retail market, including high-end accessories and consumer electronics.

Global Vision Introduces New Barcode Verification & Measurement technologies for PDF Files

Traditionally, barcode verification required printing a PDF file at high resolution then verifying it with a hardware device. BarProof eliminates the extra step of printing the PDF file in order to check barcode quality before it goes to print, saving time and money.
BarProof is the only barcode decoder and verification tool for PDF files that provide grading, bar width reduction and magnification measurements, guaranteeing scanable barcodes at the checkout counter.
BWR is critical during the pre-press process in order to compensate for different packaging materials and ink spread during production. By verifying BWR values in PDF files upstream in the process, brand owners can be assured that barcodes will achieve expected quality levels.

Social Security Administration Awards $3.3 M RFID Contract

One year after completing an initial installation of passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID technology to track IT assets at its data center in Woodlawn, Md., the Social Security Administration (SSA) has signed a $3.3 million contract to supply RFID tags and readers to all three of its national data centers, as well as to 1,500 field offices across the United States. The technology will track the locations of data-center assets and office equipment on a central server, integrated with multiple asset-management and maintenance software systems. - See more at: http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11029#sthash.WBHssIMi.dpuf

QR codes turn button tags into mobile marketing opportunities

Button tags that can be clipped on and worn are among the latest ways that QR codes are being used in both social and retail settings in order to be able to spread the words and share URLs of brands, companies, and products. These wearable forms of mobile marketing are also growing in popularity within business meetings. The reason is that they are making it much faster and easier for individuals to be able to network. Instead of having to write contact information down or enter it into a smartphone or tablet through a touchscreen keyboard, QR codes can be scanned to provide instant access to this data, which can then be saved into the device.

Creative Orchestra opens proximity mobile marketing agency

London-based brand marketing and advertising agency Creative Orchestra has opened Comobi2, a dedicated proximity mobile marketing agency. "What every client wants is to connect the consumer with their brand on the mobile platform," says Nigel Rayner, the agency's head of client services. "Technology is now driving the marketing agenda and it's changing fast. Brands are moving across from traditional digital to mobile but the challenge remains, how do you connect consumers with brands on mobile?

RFID Global Solution and CodeSource Win Multi-Year $3.3M Social Security Administration IT Asset Tracking Contract

RFID Global Solution, Inc., the leading provider of real-time, IT asset management solutions, is pleased to announce a $3.3 million contract awarded by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to RFID Global Solution and CodeSource, the leading defense provider of innovative solutions for parts identification, traceability and inventory control. The blanket purchase agreement (BPA) contract will expand implementation of the Visi-Trac RFID solution at the National Computing Center in Woodlawn, MD, to additional U.S. data centers, as well as up to 1,500 field office locations throughout the U.S. and abroad.
The multi-year agreement requires RFID Global Solution and CodeSource to extend the scope of the existing RFID solution to include tracking a wide variety of capital assets throughout the SSA enterprise. In addition, the two companies will work together to develop automated software interfaces with existing asset, maintenance and work-order management systems.
The contract permits the SSA to conduct a thorough business case analysis of their existing processes for asset management, and implement recommendations intended to increase return on investment for the U.S. Government. Furthermore, the agreement expands the existing passive RFID solution to include audit carts and active RFID sensor products, both of which significantly reduce physical audit cycle time within data centers.