Create and scan tags with Nfc Interactor for Windows Phone

By Rich Edmonds
published

Nfc Interactor is a new app available for Windows Phone that enables users to create and scan NFC tags. The Near Field Communication tag reader / writer app provides the tools for a variety of content to be added to a tag, which can then be scanned by a compatible device that sports NFC capabilities.

NFC tags can be written using a dynamic message editor - including Smart Posters, geographic tags, social networks and LaunchApp tags. Additionally, you can also send your messages to other NFC devices simply by tapping. Neat, eh?

Supported formats include:

  • Smart Poster
  • URI
  • Text
  • Social Networks (Twitter, Facebook, Skype, etc.)
  • SMS
  • Telephone call
  • Geo Tags (Longitude & Latitude, for opening Maps)
  • LaunchApp (for Windows 8 & WP 8)
  • Android Application Record
  • Nokia Accessories
  • Custom records

The core NDEF library of Nfc Interactor has been made available at ndef.codeplex.com (open source), while additional tag types (eg.: business cards) are planned for future updates.

NFC Interactor

You can download Nfc Interactor from the Windows Phone Store for $1.99 (£1.49). The trial version is limited to reading 10 tags and writing 20 tags.

QR: NFC Interactor

Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.

21 Comments
  • where do you buy nfc tags to place around the house...or maybe car dashboard etc? I remember samsung had something like these advertised for their galaxy but ive never seen anyone using these...
  • i know that ebay/amazon have them, not sure about other places
  • Www.tagstand.com Really cheap stickers
  • Cool. I could place these on my desk and in my car to launch certain app depending on where I am.
  • I think nokia is going to be sesling a nfc charging stand right...do you need this sort of an app to program  that also or is nokia going to have another app in hte nokia collection htat will help with that....also any talk of wireless chargers with nfc capabilities for a car?
  • I was waiting for this.  I loved creating a dock out of a book and having a tag directly under the cover to launch apps.  It was one of the only things I enjoyed from Android and now WP8 will have these "neat" features.  Cudos to the app developer.
  • I'm still really confused by what NFC tags are.  In order to write a tag, what do you need?  A printer? A physical tag? What?
  • I think you need something like these : http://www.amazon.com/NFC-Tag-Bundle-keychain-Stickers/dp/B006TGTEV0/ref... and the app to program them
  • Think of it as a QR code on steroids. The tag is an electronic chip that can store different types of information. The chip itself is passive, it doesn't send a signal on it's own, a reader is required, which when close enough, sends enough power to the tag for it to allow the reader to then read the details stored.
  • Thank you.
     
    Question, can an NFC tag be re-used? Or is it a one-time use item?  I guess I mean, is it re-writable?
  • Yes they can be reused.
  • Can you set a single nfc tag to say, turn on Bluetooth and start playing music? Or is it only limited to one task?
  • I think it will be managed by a script app or something of the likes.
  • This is what I'd want too. Jump in my car, tap my phone on the tag and start playing music. 
  • Can't wait for this. Gonna put one on windshield holder to launch Nokia Drive whenever I attach my phone.
  • That will be cool...
  • Any stickers in the Lumia packaging? Samsung does it
  • Yes, Nokia is providing one for you but it just sends you to a website. Of course, you can re-program it. I am cutting around the tage itself because it is attatched to a card. It is not a sticker. 
  • The should have a tag on every theater, classroom, auditorium, meeting room entrance... So people turn the ringers of upon entrance...
  • ...and get a link to the presentation file.
  • This is such a great idea. One day this will happen. One day.