WEEKLY WHEATIES #2530
NFC Tags, Apple, Tech Headlines, Hotels
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: NFC Technology Explained: Everyday Uses You Didn’t Know
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Apple Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Tech Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: Hotel Picks
📦 Featured Product: iJoy Power Strip and Snug Plugs
📝 NFC Technology Explained: Everyday Uses You Didn’t Know
For a technology that’s been around for a while, NFC is still limited in use for many consumers. NFC (known as Near-Field Communication) is a technology that allows phones, tablets, and smart wearables to communicate with each other, or with other items in your everyday life. Before being embedded in any type of personal communication devices, many businesses used (or still use) NFC as a form of access control into a building. Perhaps you have a small tag on your keyring, or a credit card-style key for your place of work, the gym, or your apartment complex?
While those use cases are still going strong, the same technology is included in just about every smartphone or wearable available for purchase today. And what’s even more important is that the use cases are essentially unlimited. I alluded to this in a few of my more recent posts. You can use NFCs to help with Home Automation and routines you’ve created. You can also use NFC with Phone Automations in tandem with the Shortcuts app (or Android equivalent).
NFC tags or devices are typically only a one-way communication and are generally regarded as safe. Since they require close contact (typically a few centimeters away), you must be physically next to one in order to scan it. This close proximity also allows another cool feature - wireless charging. Now, typical wireless charging for your phones isn’t done with NFC, because it uses another standard, but it can allow your phones to charge small wearable devices (watches, headphones, etc). A downside here is that the charging rate is pretty slow, around 1 watt — not typically recommended.
Other common types of NFC use for mobile devices that are becoming more popular are virtual event ticketing, store customer rewards cards, and payment. You may have even connected a debit or credit card to your mobile device for Apple Pay or Google Pay. It’s a much more convenient and secure way of paying, too. Believe it or not, if you’ve ever used Tap to Pay with your card’s chip feature, you were using NFC. And you were essentially using the same type of payment method Apple Pay and Google Pay use. So why even take your card out when your phone’s already in your hand?
I mentioned the tags and cards you may already have for work or other entry-type access. But you can purchase NFC Stickers, Keychains, and Business Cards, and create your own NFC tags. These tags can be ‘written’ to with simple commands to complete any task you’d like - including running a shortcut from your mobile device, or any other type of home automation as previously discussed.
There are tons of apps available to write NFC commands, but just to show the power of NFC tags, the iOS app NFC Tools and the Android App NFC TagWriter allow writing the following commands: open a website, connect to a WiFi network (password included), downloading of a file, send an email or text, add a contact, make a phone call, get directions to an address, open an app, and much, much more.
Some unique use cases you could implement could be:
Place an NFC tag by your nightstand charger, and when scanned, run your nighttime shortcut or workflow.
Have an NFC tag on your keyring, and when scanned, open your Maps app to give you directions home (or to work), start your favorite podcast or playlist, and turn on Do Not Disturb.
Place an NFC tag right inside your main door of your home to open your thermostat app (or automatically set the air temperature you prefer) for when you arrive/leave your home.
Put an NFC sticker somewhere in/around your refrigerator to scan and open your shopping list
Put an NFC sticker on your washer and/or dryer to start a timer when scanned (and when the clothes have been put in to wash…)
The sky’s the limit, but there’s also power in simplicity. The dot. company made an entire business out of sharing contact information through NFC connections via business cards and wearable bands. They simply work great and are easy to configure and share.
What are you using NFC for?
🗞️ ICYMI: Apple Updates
In a move to potentially gain back more goodwill after the latest App Store changes in the EU, Apple now allows app developers to show retention offers when users try to cancel a subscription. Use this as a reminder to check your subscriptions: Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions.
Their next update to your devices, iOS 26, is scheduled for the fall, but the public beta of the Liquid Glass-ified next-gen software is available now. I don’t suggest installing this unless you know what you’re doing, are okay with any potential issues (including having some apps not work), and are okay with potentially losing everything on your device and having to reset it as ‘new’ should your phone have issues.
On the hardware side of things, Apple introduces AppleCare One, streamlining coverage into a single plan with incredible value. If you have multiple devices on AppleCare, this could save you a bit of money. The downside, however, is that this only works for an individual Apple account, and not a family account.
🗞️ ICYMI: Tech Headlines
Google sent out media invites to their Made by Google event for August 20 where they will launch the Pixel 10. Before others could leak any info, they revealed the Pixel 10 early. Perhaps they don’t want to sit next to Apple in court, where they sued leaker Jon Prosser for stealing iOS secrets.
With tariffs starting on August 1st for some major tech companies (countries), a CNET survey reports 64% of Shoppers Are Rushing to Buy Tech to Dodge Price Spikes and Shortages.
After being approved by the House and Senate, Trump signs the Stablecoin GENIUS Act, allowing banks and other fiscal entities to sell cryptocurrencies that are backed 1-to-1 by the US dollar.
Now that it’s open for business, Elon Musk gives a key update on plans for Tesla Diner outside of LA. Spoiler - he wants to build more of them in major cities across the US. All we’re missing is Guy Fieri!
😎 POTW: Hotel Picks
When most people travel, they look to visit a certain city, attraction, sports team, or the like. Most people aren’t traveling to a specific place solely for the place they are staying. Well, except Ryan Trahan, as I reported on in Weekly Wheaties #2528. By the way, his fundraiser has doubled to over $10 million in less than two weeks! Now, if you DO want to visit certain places just for the stay, check out these Hotel picks!
📦 Featured Product
I’m assuming over the years you’ve been through many a charging cables, power strips, and extension cords. Most are typically rectangular in shape with no personaility. The iJoy Flexible Power Strip ‘turns’ that around with fun colors and flexible positions to fit your space. If on this or your wall outlets may ever become loose, consider the Snug Plug Loose Outlet Fix to keep your devices connected safely. These are small and light enough to travel with to help with those pesky hotel outlets that never seem to hold a charger.
