Tag Archives: felica

26Jan / 2011

Google Places Sticker and NFC Technology

This is the Google Places window sticker of LABI Shibuya/Yamada Denki which has a QR-code printed on it. I was a bit excited to see that the first time, confusing that with the new NFC-enabled “Recommended on Google Places” tag. Well, it turns out that such touch tag from Google is currently being experimented only at Portland, US, so I was just over-reacting.

“Touch to Download” — Near Field Communication

Similar to Japan’s own Osaifu-Keitai technology featuring Sony’s Felica system, the Google Places Sticker and Nexus S are also using Near Field Communication technology, which means that data can be exchanged when waving the sensing device near the tag, without any contact. I have previously blogged about a touch-download map in train station in Tokyo. However, with serious marketing push by big telecom like AU and Docomo to Android-powered mobile phones, it might not be such a wild dream to hope that more Google backed NFC applications will be coming to Japan any time soon. There will even be more motivations for Japanese business to use compatible NFC systems if the newly rumored Apple’s iPhone/iPad NFC support becomes reality.

Intro video about “Recommended on Google Places” NFC touch tag and its usage with Nexus S.

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17Aug / 2010

Touch-download City Guide Map

Navigating in Tokyo is very different from North America. In Japanese addressing system, an address is based on block (CHO,町) rather than street. For example, the address of the Sony Building at Ginza is 5-3-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Sony Building. Here the 5-3-1 means the District #5, Block #3, Building #1. Since the allocation of block number does not often follow any rules, it is essential to consult a map before getting out of a train station.

e-NAVITA (http://www.navita.co.jp) is a private company that provides map service and local business directory for mobile devices. Now with growing usage of サイフ携帯 (SAIFU KEITAI, mobile phone wallet), user can easily download a district map with just a touch to the sensor. A secondary access way is to use the QR-code if you do not own a compatible phone.

SAIFU KAITAI is using Sony’s FeliCa technology. You can see my other blog posts about the FeliCa technology here.

For more information about Japanese Addressing System please visit this Wikipedia page.

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04Aug / 2010

Local Map in Train Station with Mobile Phone “Touch Download”

I am seeing a lot of local map in train stations that has a “touch download” feature, which allows mobile phone users to download local business information simply by taping their FeliCa-powered mobile phone to the sensor.

FeliCa is a RFID technology offered by Sony that allows touchless money and data transaction. The technology is currently being widely used by Japanese public transit and electronic payment systems.

Unlike QR-code, this touchless RFID is supposed to be much quicker in response time. Theoretically the user can conveniently and instantly get the information on their phone without touching any button on the keypad.

On the other hand, using of this technology is only limited to Sony’s business partner and those who can afford to install a FeliCa transceiver. Also, such transceiver would consume electricity, so it might not work when there is a power outage. In that case, QR-code is still a better offline (zero electricity required) alternative. Also, since QR-code is a loyalty free technology, you can freely incorporate the code into posters and marketing materials.

Unfortunately I don’t own a FeliCa compatible mobile phone so I couldn’t record a video clip of it in use.

Wikipedia on Sony FeliCa technology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FeliCa

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About Calvin

Hello there, I’m Calvin Chun-yu Chan. Grew up in Hong Kong, studied and worked in Canada as web engineer+designer, now designing mobile apps in Tokyo. On my blog I would like to share my opinions on design, usability, culture and creativity.

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