[NFBCS] Accessible app like way around, but cheaper
Aaron Cannon
cannona at fireantproductions.com
Sun Jun 13 21:29:48 UTC 2021
Thank you for the correction! I'm glad to know that you can write as well as read them.
I'll just add one more interesting thing you can do with an NFC tag on ios, is you can use it to trigger a task via the shortcuts app. I haven't thought of a reason to do this yet, but it sounds cool. :)
Thanks.
Aaron
--
This message was sent from a mobile device
> On Jun 13, 2021, at 10:31, charles.vanek at gmail.com wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I use an app on iPhone called NFC Tools. There's a couple other good ones for iOS as well. Reading & writing text is free on NFC Tools. Don't quote me but some features like writing a NFC tag that can automatically setup and connect to a wi-fi network you do need to pay, which isn't a NFC Tag standard thing, it's just how the app developers pays for their work. I think for the most of us it's the text that is important.
>
> So yes. An iPhone can write text to a NFC Tag for free. And you can have unlimited tags and allow anyone's Smartphone or NFC tag reader read them.
>
> There are "password" options for NFC Tags. This may also be a paid feature needed on the App. But I have never used them.
>
> I'll also note that NFC stands for Near Field Communication. And when they say near they aren't kidding. The first set of NFC tags I bought I thought were bad or the app wasn't working. The problem was actually that I was positioning the tag in the middle of the back of the iPhone when in fact the NFC reader on iPhone is at the top. So you just kind of press the top of the phone on to the NFC tag.
>
> One of the great things about NFC tags though is it can be read through relatively thin material. So if labeling a music collection the tag can be inside the case but likely can still be read without opening the case.
>
> So all you really need to buy is the NFC tags if you already have an iPhone or Android from say the last several years. I do think Aaron is correct that some phones may only be able to read and not write, but I think iPhone 8 or beyond can do both read and write. Google for your phone specifications to be sure.
>
> Enjoy!
> Charles
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Aaron Cannon via NFBCS
> Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2021 8:03 AM
> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Aaron Cannon <cannona at fireantproductions.com>; Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Accessible app like way around, but cheaper
>
> Other than the amount of data that a tag can hold, there should be no limit. There may be a write limit, but I believe it's far beyond anything you might hit when just labeling things. Otherwise, you can use as many as you can buy. They are often used by the tens-of-thousands or more in industrial settings, so you should be fine.
>
> The tags can be read by any modern IPhone, and many Android devices. No other hardware is required for reading. For writing however, you will need a separate device.
>
> All that said, I have not personally tried any of this, so YMMV.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Aaron
>
>
>
> --
> This message was sent from a mobile device
>
>
>> On Jun 13, 2021, at 07:31, Tracy Carcione via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Do NFC tags have any limits, other than the number of characters? My husband has a huge music collection. He labels things with the Pen Friend, but eventually he runs out of labels, way before he's run out of things to label. Could he label thousands of things with NFC tags? And what app reads the tags?
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NFBCS [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> nancy.l.coffman--- via NFBCS
>> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2021 6:45 PM
>> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
>> Cc: nancy.l.coffman at gmail.com
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Accessible app like way around, but cheaper
>>
>> Although Pen Friend is an alternative, keep in mind that Way Around tags can also be reused. Pen Friend tags can only be used with the Pen Friend device they were recorded with. WayAround backs up tag information to your account in the cloud so if you upgrade your device your tags can still be used.
>>
>> Nancy Coffman
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sabra Ewing via
>> NFBCS
>> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2021 5:13 PM
>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Sabra Ewing <sabra1023 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Accessible app like way around, but cheaper
>>
>> Yes those tags are just what I need. They do not need to be encrypted. I don't care if someone else is able to access the data. If they need the data on those tags then they should have it. It won't have anything private on it. I know how to use these items already, but if my anxiety gets big and I forget, then I needed to tell me. If the tags would be big enough to put the instructions then I would want to do that but I don't want to find that the tags are only big enough to put one word. Even if I can't put all of the instructions that came with, I would like to be able to put between 15 and 30 words. For example, I would like to be able to put, anti-diarrheal: Two tabs with first loose stool. One Tab with every loose stool after. No more after two days. Exp date. Or I would like to put, rehydration salts: mix packet with 1 L of water. Use within 24 hours. I have put Braille on them in case I don't have my phone but I can't really fit that much. Or with Band-Aids I know what they are but I don't know what size they are and I don't want to put a lot of braille on them and make it harder to get them out of the package. Somethings I don't have to label like with my bottle of liquid skin I know what it is just by feeling it but I'm not sure if I should label it in case my anxiety goes haywire in an emergency. I don't know if I would forget everything or not. But it is only for blisters and things like that so if I forgot what it was when my anxiety was huge that might not be as big of a deal. I have already been in an earthquake so I need to be ready. Plus I live alone so I need to be able to access the items in my larger first aid kit quickly if I ever need one. Plus I can't get my first eight items confused with Vivian's first aid items because if I ever gave her anything like aspirin or Tylenol thinking it was Pepcid or Benadryl that would be very dangerous and she could die.
>>
>> Sabra Ewing
>>
>>>> On Jun 12, 2021, at 9:50 AM, charles.vanek--- via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Agree & thanks Aaron for putting a point on the size of most tags. The usable space on tags can vary. Aaron’s message for example is about 270 characters with spaces & punctuation. So a tag that is roughly 540 bytes would support his statement and maybe a little more. The tags I have are 540 bytes and support according to the NFC Tools app I’m using is 491 bytes of that 540 total. This message I’ve written including this sentence is 491 bytes all the way up to the period here.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If that above paragraph is enough to describe what you need then the NFC tags may be your solution. You could obviously use two tags for one description I suppose. But you know your use case the best. I did try looking up on Amazon for the tags I bought a year or more ago and can’t find them in my orders, so maybe I didn’t buy on Amazon. I am seeing some around 50 cents, even some with backing so that you can use on metal surfaces which is another important point. You can also research tags beyond 540 bytes.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best of luck!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Aaron Cannon <cannona at fireantproductions.com>
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2021 7:55 AM
>>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: charles.vanek at gmail.com
>>> Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Accessible app like way around, but cheaper
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sadly, this is an overestimation of the storage capacity of most NFC tags. You would, however, have enough room for a filename. So you could put the info inside files, and then store the name of the file in the tag. Not exactly a very fast solution though.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Good luck.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.nfcinteractor.com/question/how-much-data-can-i-store-on-a
>>> -
>>> tag/
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> This message was sent from a mobile device
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Jun 12, 2021, at 07:40, charles.vanek--- via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> > wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Sabra,
>>> I'm not a big fan of way around and way tags. I do think you are in
>>> the right mindset though.
>>> Way tags are simply a proprietary NFC tag which uses durable &
>>> encrypted tags that only work with the Way Around app signed into the owners account.
>>> This makes their system both more expensive & less versatile to be
>>> used with multiple phones or if disconnected from the internet.
>>>
>>> For first aide information the encryption of way tags is certainly
>>> not a concern. So what I would suggest is you research NFC tags.
>>> Since these are an open standard, Apple and Android phones made in
>>> the last
>>> 3 or so years can all easily read them. There are also various apps
>>> which can easily read & write data to them.
>>>
>>> NFC tags can also be purchased fairly cheap on Amazon. There are
>>> flexible adhesive tags about the size of a quarter but thin as
>>> braille paper. They probably range in price from 20 to 30 cents each
>>> if bought in packs of say
>>> 10 - 20. With these you can write out your instructions then stick
>>> right on to the bottles, boxes, tubes, etc. I would also think there
>>> are options like way tags where it not adhesive backed but is
>>> something you could tie with a string onto items where the adhesive
>>> won't work; or you can I'm sure imagine a way to stick it to card
>>> stock and poke a hole for a string if needed to tie on.
>>>
>>> Off the top of my head I can't remember how much data an NFC tag can
>>> hold, but I'm pretty sure first aide instructions will be able to fit.
>>>
>>> Best of luck,
>>> Charles
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Sabra Ewing via
>>> NFBCS
>>> Sent: Friday, June 11, 2021 10:45 PM
>>> To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Sabra Ewing <sabra1023 at gmail.com <mailto:sabra1023 at gmail.com> >
>>> Subject: [NFBCS] Accessible app like way around, but cheaper
>>>
>>> I need some way to label first aid items with lots of information and
>>> instructions where braille will not fit. I want to put all of the
>>> instructions that are on the product in an accessible format.
>>>
>>> The way around app seemed like it would be a great option for what I
>>> needed, but the tags for it are so expensive. Is there something that
>>> uses a similar concept, but cheaper? I do not have a printer and even
>>> if I did, I wouldn't be able to tell what print it out so I would
>>> prefer to be able to get premade labels or tags, but for cheap. I was
>>> looking at some barcode labels that are cheap, but they seem to be
>>> for things like stores. I wish I knew of an option that would work
>>> without electricity during an emergency but this is the only thing I
>>> can think of. Attaching a page or two of braille to each item is not
>>> going to work because then I can't have a portable first aid kit. You
>>> might think you shouldn't need so many instructions because you
>>> should be able to use the item, but I want all of the instructions
>>> that are on the item just in case, and sometimes were talking about a
>>> small space like 2" x 2" where I can't write any type of instruction at all and can barely fit the name.
>>>
>>> Sabra Ewing
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