WeChat Pay HK, MTRC to promote mobile payment

Tencent's WeChat Pay HK announced its collaboration with MTR Corporation to jointly promote the use of mobile payment in MTR’s railway operations in Hong Kong. Under the collaboration, mobile payment solutions including WeChat Pay HK and Weixin Pay will be offered to the customers of MTR, providing Hongkongers and Chinese travelers an expanded payment option that is simple, secure and convenient, a statement said. WeChat Pay HK was granted a stored value facilities license by Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the city's de-facto central bank, last year

Hong Kong’s Octopus targets shoe shiners with e-payment system

Shoe-shining stalls in Hong Kong’s bustling business hub, Central, have emerged as the next industry targeted by electronic payment service providers, as a local operator seeks to fend off rising competition from mainland Chinese giants. Octopus, the smart card operator which has dominated the Hong Kong market for the past 20 years, rolled out a trial on a new QR code feature several weeks ago, including a real-time online payment via phone widely used in mainland China. At the busy Theatre Lane, three cobblers are already polishing up their act by allowing customers to settle payments through Octopus QR codes.

A startup is using blockchain technology to tackle counterfeit milk powder

Ever doubted the authenticity of a product you saw in a store either online or offline? While there are pretty stringent controls on the goods sold locally, horror stories which pop up from time to time tell us that sometimes, even some of retail’s biggest brands cannot be trusted. The situation is worse in certain countries such as China, where the spread of counterfeit and tainted products such as baby milk powder has fuelled illegal imports and the peer-to-peer ‘daigou’ culture. Counterfeit milk powder has even prompted a startup in China to develop its own specialised RFID anti-counterfeiting label aimed at helping consumers determine if the product they are buying is authentic and trustworthy.

Smart label helping beat counterfeiters

When it comes to making fake goods, China is the counterfeit capital of the world. Here counterfeit and knock-off products can range from cosmetic items to food products, medicines and even cars. China-based company WaliMai has developed RFID-based anti-counterfeit labels that are fixed to a product to let consumers know for certain that it is genuine. "We have a banking-like level of security. Every label has an RFID [radio-frequency identification] chip inside which has a certain re-writeable memory, and with every consumer scan - when the consumer uses the mobile phone to scan the label by just touching it for a second or two - the data on the chip is changing," WaliMai co-founder Alexander Busarov told Reuters.

QR-code food centre launched in Khon Kaen

The first food court where all vendors accept QR-code payment has opened in Muang district of this northeastern province, with all 50 sellers joining Krungthai Bank’s initiative. The transformation of the 24-hour Talat Tong Paed into a cashless food centre is part of the bank’s “Pao Tung” campaign to promote cashless markets using QR code as the mode of payment. Customers need to install a mobile banking application of their banks on their cell phones.

Barcode Scanner Market account for US$ 10.8 Bn by 2027-end

The global barcode scanners market will expand at a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period (2017–2027) and account for US$ 10.8 Bn by 2027-end. During the same duration, the market is also expected to reflect a CAGR of 6.4% in terms of volume, reaching 38.7 Mn units over 2027-end. Around 20.7 Mn units of barcode scanners are expected to be sold by the end of 2017.

Currently, barcode solutions are being used across various domains owing to their exponential capabilities in systematically recording information such as product count, date of manufacturing, date on which the product was supplied to the retailer and selling price. Moreover, the emergence of e-commerce and intra-regional markets that offer specialised services to a wide range of sectors has further expanded its application base.

Isn't just one 'standard' QR code system enough?

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced a new QR code standard for Singapore, SGQR. Why are there two "standards"?  Nets' QR code already satisfies MAS and IMDA's aim to allow merchants to display just one QR code for scanning by any e-wallet for fuss-free fund transfers. It can even integrate with overseas payment services and international QR code payment schemes. Did the industry task force assigned to look into the unified payment system feel that they had to show something more substantial for their efforts?

RFID-based App Helps Consumers Find a Cold Drink

Cool&Go is an app-based extension of Blulog's automated data-logging system to point consumers in the direction of beverages or ice cream in their neighborhood, while also sharing their temperatures. RFID company Blulog already sells a solution enabling companies to track the temperatures of the perishable foods stored at brick-and-mortar stores or throughout supply chains, but now it offers a new system that is consumer-facing. This month, Blulog has released Cool&Go, an app that enables consumers to access RFID-based data regarding products in their area, so they can see not only what cold items are nearby, but also the temperatures at which they are being stored.

Weir introduces mobile iron RFID asset management solution

Weir Oil & Gas, has introduced SPM radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and RFID mobile app at ADIPEC.  RFIDWeir aims to ensure efficiency and accuracy to improved safety in the field. Combining Weir’s extensive RFID knowledge and backend database, this solution aims to bring greater visibility and functionality to the way service companies manage iron assets from the field. Maintaining iron assets in the field was an error-prone archaic process that relied on manual data collection. Weir’s RFID technology acts by registering each asset by serial number.

Auburn RFID Lab Expands to Avionics With Delta Gift

Auburn University's RFID Lab is building a bay dedicated to aviation-based RFID technology with a gift provided by Delta Air Lines, the Delta Air Lines Foundation and the Jacobson Family Foundation, for that purpose. The airline this week announced its $2 million gift to Auburn for the Delta Air Lines Aviation Sensor ID Bay. The new research bay dedicated to aviation is one step in what the lab expects to be a broadening of its scope beyond retail-based RFID. Altogether, Delta provided $6 million to the school, with $4 million dedicated to Auburn's Aviation program, in addition to the $2 million dedicated to the RFID Lab.

Pinterest rolls out its own version of QR codes

Pinterest is rolling out its own variation of QR codes for retailers and brands. They behave like you’d expect for a QR code, where users can open the Pinterest app and use the code to quickly jump to a board without having to search or tap several times to get there. It’s another way of reducing friction to getting to the content from those brands or retailers on Pinterest, as a huge amount of the content on the service comes from brands or marketers. Pinterest users just open the camera app, which the company seems to be increasingly using to close the distance between the real world and Pinterest as it looks to get the right content in front of its users.

Banks in Singapore to use NETS QR code for cashless payments

By the middle of next year, seven banks in Singapore will offer consumers the option of paying using NETS QR code. In a joint press briefing on Monday. DBS Bank, OCBC and UOB said they have come onboard NETS' QR code platform. They will be joined by HSBC, Maybank and Standard Chartered Bank to enable this payment offering. Citibank is also on board, offering the payment option for small, cash-based merchants, they said.

Keep your data safe with a F-Secure router

Those jumping into the smart home trend -- or even just concerned about intruders on your home network -- may want to consider upgrading the least sexy gadget of them all: the router. F-Secure Sense is one of a handful of routers that are specifically designed to protect your home against hackers who have gotten adept at hacking into smart toasters, fridges and other smart appliances as part of broader attacks. Even if your home isn't being targeted with an attack, hackers can still use your devices to attack others -- which can slow down your network and, of course, runs the risk of compromising your privacy.

The Latest Debate in Micro-Chipping: Olympic Athletes

To combat the doping problem that commonly surrounds the Olympic Games, Mike Miller is considering the benefits of micro-chipping athletes. The Chief Executive for the World Olympic Association is investigating the benefits of this surging technological advancement. "I’m just throwing the idea out there,” he said. “I’m gauging reaction from people but we do need to think of new ways to protect clean sport." Radio-frequency identification, commonly referred to as RFID, has been introduced to track animals in case they get lost, and a variety of other beneficial uses have been proposed as well.

Passive Sensor Tags to Surpass 5 Million Units This Year

Sensor-based passive RFID tags have been on the market for just a few years, but according to U.K.-based market-research firm IDTechEx, they have accomplished sufficient growth in niche markets that their sales are expected to far surpass those of their battery-powered alternative. IDTechEx has found a rise in passive RFID temperature and humidity sensors that has overtaken the battery-assisted passive (BAP) RFID sensors on the market, based on the low cost of the sensors for niche markets. According to its 2017 study, released last month, there will be approximately 5.2 million passive RFID sensors sold in 2017, dwarfing the number of BAP RFID tags, of which 330,000 units are expected to be sold.

Microsoft Pay is finally here to help you pay securely on the internet

Microsoft has a new app in the store designed to make it easier to spend and spend over the holiday season. Microsoft Pay appears to be a replacement for Microsoft Wallet and brings support for the Payment Request API to Edge. This means a website can request a payment for an item, and the app will be launched with your details already filled in, ready to approve the spend.

Working faster and smarter with RFID tech

Thousands of man-hours and working round the clock just for stock-taking will soon be a thing of the past for electronics retailer Elush Retail Group. The firm is adopting what is called a Smart Management and Tracking System that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. It was created by Tunity Technologies using core technologies from the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech).When it comes to tagging or tracking items, RFID works better than barcodes and QR codes as multiple RFID tags can be read from a distance at an instant, so data is captured quickly, says managing director Lim Peck Hui of Tunity Technologies.

Chipless RFID Market has the Capability to Create Demand for Trillions of Tags Yearly Read more: ht

Chipless RFIDs, the systems that use radiofrequency energy to communicate data but do not store serial numbers in the transponder like RFID systems with silicon microchips do, are considered the next big opportunity for the global RFID market as the a highly digitized world demands means of tagging all things possible. Chipless RFIDs suit well to this requirement as they are very cheap and convenient as compared to conventional RFID tags. While not many leading RFID companies are focusing on development in the field of chipless RFID, many companies in the fields of packaging, printing, and electronics are actively leading development of the technology through R&D efforts.

The market for chipless RFIDs is increasingly witnessing the introduction of innovative chipless

RFID systems. Certain chipless RFID tags in the market use materials some form of conductive polymers instead of the conventional silicon microchips. Some varieties use materials capable of reflecting back a portion of the radio waves radiated at them. A computer gathers the waves reflected back as a snapshot and uses it like biometric data to identify the tagged object. Some companies operating in the field of chipless RFID are also experimenting with implanting radio frequency reflecting fibers in documents to prevent their unauthorized photocopying.

There are also some varieties of inks in the global market capable of reflecting radio waves at specific frequencies. The most common use of these inks has been seen in the field of agriculture wherein farmers can tattoo chipless RFID transponders with the help of these inks on animals for the purpose of identification.

The U.S. is currently leading the RFID business and market share. The manufacturers of chipless RFID have understood the requirement for low priced and efficient solutions, for tracking and tracing of goods for several applications. These applications include smart card, retail, supply chain, and others. Chipless RFID offers solution such as anti-counterfeiting and asset tracking to stop the shrinkage in retail. Shrink in retail generally occurs by any kind of theft or misplacement of good without notification. Moreover, it helps improve the efficiency and productivity of the system. In addition, it is also helping smart card penetrate further in the market by offering more security to smart cards. The government of countries such as Nigeria, China, Singapore and United Kingdom have already made use of RFID compulsory in various projects such as counterfeiting, citizen identification and others, thereby giving a boost to the growth of chipless RFID.

Bengaluru is home to 51 percent of IoT startups in India

It is well known that Bengaluru leads the charge in India when it comes to being a startup hub. Now, there is data to endorse that fact. Of the 971 Internet of Things (IoT) startups in India, 536 are registered in Bengaluru, according to the IoT Startup Directory 2017. In 2014, there were 123 IoT startups in the country, and their number grew to 275 in 2015. In 2016, the number grew 60 percent to reach 470 startups, and recent data reveals a growth of over 100 percent as 971 startups are accounted for.

World’s First Electronic Anti Theft Travel Backpack and Messenger Bag

Big Bang Markets Limited, a Hong Kong hardware Startup Company announced that CabinR, the world's first anti theft travel backpack and messenger bag that they invented to secure unattended belongings during flights, will be launched on the popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter in the first quarter of 2018.

In recent years, there have been many reported incidents of in-flight thefts, where valuable items were stolen from the passenger’s unattended carry-on luggage during flights. CabinR solves the problem by embedding electronic sensors into the two travel bags that continuously monitor movement. If the CabinR bags are opened without first disarming the alarm with an RFID key card, a loud alarm will sound to notify the passenger and flight cabin crew.

The security system can also be physically detached from the CabinR bags to form a security blanket that can be used separately to secure any type of bag. No installation or modification to the bag required. To use the blanket, the user simply places it inside any bag on top of personal items, then activate it with an RFID key card. Using patented technology, the security system is able to distinguish between normal movement of the bag and real theft activity. Therefore, movements due to user or flight turbulence will not trigger false alarms. When used inside a bag, the security blanket will appear as a normal piece of clothing to an unaware thief. In order to steal items, a thief will inevitably disrupt the placement of the blanket and trigger the alarm.

Expansion of RFID Portals for Doorways & Corridors Market to Remain Consistent During 2017 – 2025

The key driver of the growth to the RFID portals for doorways & corridors is the tracking management provided by the technology of RFID tags. From manufacturing to hospital industry, tracking of tools & asset has been a major concern. Miss management by the user can lead to the loss of important equipment and incur a monetary loss for the organization. The potential for the growth of the RFID portals for doorways & corridor is the asset tracking which has improved with the adoption in the industries. Moreover, in the IT industries, the RFID portals for doorways & corridors has tracked impetus growth due to its ability to keep the data center and tangible files secure. Scan over RFID tags implanted on asset helps to prevent theft and ensures its moving detail such as time and person id. Use of RFID portals for doorways & corridors at the entry of event or exhibition enables automated logging of invitee’s attendance through RFID tagged cards without requiring the person to display the entry pass to security. Moreover, instant SMS to the host on invitee’s entry enables personal attention to the VIPs. These factors are considered to be the driving factor for RFID portals for doorways & corridors market.

RFID antenna with 200mm range and diagnostic LED

Just released from ifm efector, the ANT600 RFID antenna operates in the 13.56 MHz range with extended 200mm sensing range. Diagnostic and display LED’s along with adjustable transmitting power ensure easy set up and optimisation. Connectivity to Ethernet IP, Profinet, EtherCAT, Profibus or Ethernet TCP/IP is facilitated using the DTE10x compact evaluation unit.

iVEDiX Partners with Omni-ID Combining Industrial Internet of Things Hardware and Software Platforms

iVEDiX announced a strategic partnership with Omni-ID, a provider of Industrial RFID Tags and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The combination of the iVEDiX Digital Platform with Omni-ID’s  RFID products will provide global enterprises a connected environment with a real-time view to their assets, allowing them to control workflows and create process efficiencies.

The iVEDiX Digital Platform is currently being used by companies to power digital transformation strategies across a range of vertical markets, including healthcare, manufacturing, oil & gas, and government. As the company looked to expand its offering, it became clear that customers across these markets have a need to consolidate systems and IoT devices into a single platform. The combined solution drives process efficiencies, monitors asset utilization, creates safe working environments and better manages big data.

The iVEDiX-Omni-ID solution leverages the iVEDiX core strength of an immersive data discovery experience, along with Omni-ID’s expertise in industrial asset tracking and auto-identification solutions. Together, iVEDiX and Omni-ID are now helping companies deliver innovative, end-to-end, enterprise asset management solutions that realize the promise of the Industrial Internet of Things.

Scandit Launches Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web

Scandit has launched Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web, a product that seamlessly extends the reach and versatility of mobile and desktop browsers via built-in barcode scanning. Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web lets enterprises integrate barcode scanning via smartphone or desktop camera directly into any web page, turning mobile e-commerce websites into customer engagement vehicles and employee productivity tools by adding capabilities previously only available in mobile apps.

For example, by accessing a company website, retail customers can scan product barcodes to perform mobile shopping, instantly add items to their gift registries or scan loyalty cards to apply targeted discounts, without downloading an app. In addition, business customers can place replenishment orders, check inventory and confirm the status of their deliveries, while company employees can perform shipping and receiving tasks and certify proof of delivery. Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web easily works with popular e-commerce platforms like SAP Hybris and Salesforce Commerce Cloud (formerly Demandware).

“Our customers have been looking for ways to perform scan-based tasks without a need to download an app. Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web helps them achieve exactly that,” said Samuel Mueller, CEO of Scandit. “With minimal integration effort enterprises can bring the power of Scandit’s barcode scanning technology to their websites and e-commerce touchpoints, and enable their customers, business partners and employees to seamlessly interact and engage with them.”

Barcode Scanner SDK for the Web is the latest in the series of Scandit innovations that bridge physical and digital environments through a powerful mobile data capture technology and offer businesses a transformative, software-based solution for real-time enterprise insight and connectivity.

New York City Transit to start accepting NFC payments over the next few years

The MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) Committee has announced a new contract for the New York City Transit system to receive a technological update. This $573 million deal would hire the same company who developed the London Underground and London Commute payment system to adopt a similar payment system in 500 subway turnstiles and 600 city busses starting late-2018. The new payment system would allow riders to pay the flat-rate fare with a contactless card, or NFC mobile payment service like Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay. The full rollout of the new payment system is slated to be completed in 2020.

Pallets With RFID Technology

One of the more promising approaches is the use of RFID tags in multi-trip pallets. The robust load carriers are frequently part of the supply chain over many runs and years and can thus offer valuable insights. In addition to that, these pallets usually handle many different storage and transportation tasks, which means they can be utilized in various ways to gain information, such as when receiving or dispatching goods, during picking, or in production. Moreover, these units are generally used in large numbers, i.e., a statistically representative quantity, which makes the collected data even more meaningful.

European businesses lack IoT strategies

The world’s get more connected and we’re all itching to roll out IoT devices – right? Well sort of. New research from Zebra has revealed that  European companies recognize the importance of IoT connectivity, but have been a bit slow to appreciate the implications of the change. Businesses certainly recognize the opportunity that the technology will bring and are pushing ahead with IoT rollout, 25% of European companies that Zebra surveyed are investing at least £3.4m in IoT and two-thirds of companies are looking to increase the investment. However, businesses are focusing on opportunity, but not implementation, as more than a third of European companies (34%) have no plan to address the cultural changes associated with deploying IoT.

Pakistan advances 2D barcode plans for drug products

Pakistan is moving forward with plans to introduce 2D barcodes to all pharmaceutical products in a bid to eradicate falsified medicines. All registered drugs manufactured after 15 December 2017 will be required to emboss a 2D barcode data matrix on the packaging, the Daily Times reported. “A step-wise approach has been adopted while taking stakeholders on board,” the Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) said. “In the second phase, barcoding will also be mandatory for primary and tertiary packaging of drugs. In the third phase, each pack will contain a unique serialisation code along with the 2D data matrix. All these steps will be very helpful to eradicate the menace of spurious, substandard, falsified and counterfeit drugs from the market of Pakistan.”

Metalcraft, SATO Provide Seamless On-Metal Tag Printing, RFID Encoding

SATO America, a leading global provider of Auto-ID solutions that empower workforces and streamline operations, and Metalcraft, a world class leader of durable nameplate, label and RFID products, announced that Metalcraft’s Universal Mini Onsite Printable RFID tags can be encoded and printed seamlessly on SATO America’s CL4NX industrial thermal printers.

The Universal Mini Onsite Printable RFID tags are designed for quick, easy printing on the CL4NX. Unlike other printers, the SATO CL4NX encodes the on-metal RFID tags from the top, greatly reducing the number of voided tags and increasing productivity. Other types of industrial printers encode from the bottom, which results in a high number of encoding errors because on-metal tags include a metal backplane that makes encoding difficult.

The Universal Mini Onsite Printable tags also include a new thermal transfer-receptive topcoat to provide high quality printing in harsh environments. The tag’s construction is engineered to ensure smooth, even printing and tag feeding, even in humid and damp environments.

IoT market keeps growing, with no end in sight

With all the hype it’s getting, you might think the Internet of Things (IoT) simply couldn’t gain any more momentum. Well, think again, because new market research and a wave of global IoT investments from sovereign nations and top-name companies keeps on accelerating the IoT momentum. According to the ebook, titled “The Internet of Things: a movement, not a market,” that growth “is impacting virtually all stages of industry and nearly all market areas — from raw materials to production to distribution and even the consumption of final goods.” One critical impact of that: “Global data transmissions are expected to increase from 20 to 25 percent annually to 50 percent per year, on average, in the next 15 years.”

Bancontact adds NFC payments to mobile app

Bancontact has now added contactless payments to its mobile app. To pay for a purchase, all you have to do is hold your smartphone alongside the payment terminal. And for small amounts, a PIN code is not required. This makes contactless payments a reality for almost all Belgian Bancontact cardholders, regardless of who they bank with.

Mobile payments are becoming an increasing part of our habits with each passing day. Belgians already make more than one million payments each month using the Bancontact app. And Bancontact has now also activated its app for contactless payments. This technology works using Near Field Communication, or NFC.

How the Railroad Industry Invented, Then Immediately Discarded, the Barcode

Trying to codify and organize things is really hard. Case in point: When Amazon tried to launch a cashier-free grocery store concept late last year, the company saw a lot of problems crop up when too many customers used the store at the same time. On a macro level, the railroad industry once faced similar problems with automatically tracking things—a problem it started working on 60 years ago, without the benefits of modern innovation. In fact, the industry actually  created a lot of that innovation. To put it another way: Before the barcode hit the grocery store, it hit rail cars, and not in a way you might expect.

China Telecom to provide enterprise IoT across Bridge Alliance

China Telecom has announced signing an Internet of Things (IoT) deal with Bridge Alliance to provide machine-to-machine (M2M) services to enterprise customers across the latter's footprint.

Bridge Alliance, an alliance of mobile telecommunications providers, covers 34 countries and regions in APAC, the Middle East, and Africa. "The agreement leverages Bridge Alliance's technical and commercial capabilities to provide homogenous solutions across its footprint. This enables China Telecom's customers to apply a 'glocalised' approach tapping on the simplicity of one single integration with China Telecom and the full support and service quality of local networks in Bridge Alliance," China Telecom said.

Avery-Dennison claims tire barcode label advance

Avery Dennison has developed a tire label that can bond with tires during the tire-making process and maintain “life-long” adhesion and readability, the company announced. The label, claimed Avery Dennison, “goes beyond what’s been available currently” in terms of resistance to vulcanisation temperatures and pressures and adhesion to different types of green rubber, including BR, SBR, and natural rubber. The labels are said to be made of materials that withstand curing temperatures of up to 200°C, and exhibit long-term resistance to aggressive…

New RFID access controller from Southco simplifies electronic access control

Southco, Inc. has expanded its line of electronic access solutions with an access controller that simplifies the integration of keyless access into equipment level applications. Southco’s EA-P3 High Frequency RFID Access Controller facilitates electronic credential management without having to connect to a network, or install additional hardware or software.

Southco’s EA-P3 High Frequency RFID Access Controller enables electronic access control using contactless smart cards and is simple to install, set up and operate. Convenient and secure, the EA-P3 accepts MIFARE contactless smart cards, incorporates an integrated LED that provides visual feedback of card acceptance and includes an adjustable door release timer. Additionally, the EA-P3 High Frequency RFID Access Controller  is compatible with existing credentials for use with building access control.

All major ports to get LDB services: official sources

The Logistics Data Bank’s (LDB) services will soon be extended to all major ports in India. The LDB project’s objective is to ensure greater efficiency in the country’s logistics sector through the use of information technology. As part of the LDB project, each container is attached to a Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID) tag and tracked through RFID readers. This, in turn, helps importers and exporters to track their goods in transit.

iOS 11 NFC Switching Activates Apple Pay for Older iPhones in Japan

iOS 11 introduces NFC switching, allowing switching from various NFC modes, such as NFC-A, NFC-B and NFC-F. This new addition in iOS 11 means Apple quietly launched Apple Pay for older iPhone models in Japan. Surprised users with Japan issue cards that support JCB J/Speedy and Mastercard Contactless can add them to Apple Pay and use them at stores with EMV NFC-Pay ready readers.

Scanbuy And Kezzler Bringing Internet of Packaging to CPG Companies and Retailers

Scanbuy, Inc., a provider of advanced QR Code mobile technology services that includes SmartLabel capabilities, and Kezzler announced a strategic partnership that will bring Internet of Packaging (IoP) to SmartLabel. As a supplier of thousands of SmartLabel QR Codes for some of the largest global brands, Scanbuy joined forces with Kezzler to provide the new technology, which uses SmartLabel QR Codes to provide product traceability, supply chain optimization, and marketing insights for the CPG industry.

Impinj stock tumbles in RFID tag-maker’s first earnings miss as a public company

Impinj stock is down more than 21 percent after the Seattle maker of radio frequency identification technology whiffed on earnings expectations for the first time as a public company. Impinj reported non-GAAP net losses of $1.6 million, or 8 cents per share on $32.6 million in revenue. Analysts expected losses of 3 cents per share on $32.58 million in revenue. "We remain confident in our market opportunity and will continue investing in and delivering solutions and enterprise partnerships that leverage our platform, accelerate adoption and drive scale in this gigantic market opportunity," Diorio said in a statement.

Positek RFID's RFID Technology Awarded Patent

Positek RFID, the complete RFID systems, solutions and integration company serving the textile maintenance industry, today announced that it has been awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its portal RFID technology. Positek RFID’s Cyclone and Tornado RFID Portals enable companies to process large volumes of textiles efficiently, quickly and accurately.

Positek RFID provides reading solutions that specialize in volume tracking for the textile maintenance industry. Their innovative RFID technology tracks thousands of pieces with lightning speed and guaranteed accuracy. Any textile that has an RFID tag embedded can be loaded onto conveyor belts or into carts, containers, slings or other bulk moving solutions and can be scanned through one of their portals or tunnels.

Positek RFID’s Cyclone RFID Portal and its Tornado RFID Portal are designed to scan thousands of RFID tagged items in seconds. The unique design of the reader limits reading outside of the portal and concentrates the signal where it is needed most.

Anti-fraud wallet stops thieves scanning your cards

A wallet with “anti-fraud” linings promises to defend owners from contactless card fraud. The wallets, part of Debenhams’ autumn range, feature radio-frequency identification (RFID) protection, which stops criminals scanning card details to use them. John Lewis and House of Fraser already stock specially lined wallets from makers including Fossil and Dents, the 240-year-old leather goods manufacturer.

Passive RFID Sensors Overtake Battery Assisted RFID Sensors

IDTechEx Research assesses that the entire RFID market will be worth $11.76 Billion in 2018, up a steady 5% from 2017. A small sub sector of that entire market, but one which will grow at a faster rate of 12% from 2017 to 2018, is the market for RFID sensors. These are sensors with wireless communication based on one of the RFID protocols.

The benefit of using a RFID transceiver over other wireless protocols such as Bluetooth or Wifi is that RFID transceivers are inexpensive - RFID ICs are the cheapest integrated circuits in the world; they are low power, with only a small battery needed and no battery is also an option; and they can leverage the increasing RFID infrastructure being deployed, from near field communication (NFC) phones to RAIN RFID reader infrastructure in businesses around the world.

As explained in the new IDTechEx Research report RFID Sensors 2018-2028 there are several RFID sensor options which can each work at different RFID frequencies. The most established technology has been battery assisted RFID sensors, which use a power source to take sensor measurements. More recently there have been battery-less (passive) RFID sensors which only take sensor readings while close to the RFID reader which energizes it, limiting their application as a result. Passive RFID sensors are, however, simpler and cheaper since no power source needs to be integrated.

IDTechEx has found that the average sales price of battery assisted RFID sensors in 2017 is $16 versus $1 for passive RFID sensors. While businesses in battery assisted RFID sensors tend to peak at about 25,000 units sold annually, with the total 2017 sales of 330,000 units for that type of technology, passive RFID sensors have found many high volume niches resulting in an estimated 5.2 million passive RFID sensors sold in 2017.

In total, the market value for all four types of RFID sensors identified in the report is $10.5 million in 2017, rising to almost $400 million in 2027.

Ernakulam library books to get RFID tags soon

Ernakulam Public Library, one of the oldest public libraries in the state, is set to introduce radio frequency identification tags (RFID) by mid-November. Once installed, taking books from the library will become a lot easier for readers in the district. RFID tags will be put in nearly 1.5 lakh books in Malayalam, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil and Konkani.