Hello
This week the topic of choice is RFID.
So what exactly is it?
RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification which in layman’s terms refers to a small electronic device that consists of a small chip and an antenna. It essentially works the same as a bar code or a magnetic strip on the back of a credit card, providing a unique identifier for that object which has to be scanned in order to retrieve the information.
Oyster Card
The first example of RFID I have to show you involves something that most of us carry around in our pocket everyday – the ever handy Oyster card! The Chromaroma app allows users to enter a game whenever they check in on the London transport system – tracking the number of swipes, places, modes of transport and even the number of passengers passed.
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/chromaroma-gamifying-london-transport/
Coca Cola
RFID can also be used to generate social media buzz around an event. Young teenagers attending the Coca Cola Village in Israel last summer were given RFID brackets enabling them to digitally like the facilities they were using. Perhaps even more impressive, if they were snapped by a photographer during the day, the photo would automatically tag them and post the photo on their wall.
http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2010/coca-cola-village-like-facebook/
Renault
Renault has also tried to engage consumers by allowing them to share their offline experience with their online friends at an automotive exhibition in the Netherlands.
http://jazarah.net/blog/renaults-rfid-facebook-connection/
Information display
Now for a slightly more ingenious use of RFID. By simply placing the RFID enabled object into a small ring of light, the object automatically displays information relating to that object. One of the examples shows a set of household keys which magically displays an overview of the home from the amount of water used, to the weather and everyday tasks that need to be completed that day.
http://journal.benbashford.com/post/4530562245
Apple
Apple has also secured their piece of the RFID action by obtaining a patent for a RFID tag reader for their screens.
Hotels
And finally, probably one of the most unlikely places you’d expect to find an RFID tag…
Happy Thursday and enjoy the Royal Wedding!
