News - NFC ring can unlock your phone, share and transfer information

[Saracen]

I have seen people stood next to the door of their car, pushing the unlock button repeatedly because the battery was near as dead complaining they cannot unlock their car..... Hello there is a keyhole right in front of you.......

Do not underestimate the laziness/stupidity of some people.

Yeah, but using the key like that is good for two effects .... opening the door, and setting off the alarm while not disabling the immobiliser.

[Chadders87]

I see NFC technology being a big part of future tech... Some cars already have this on keys, imagine being able to just use the ring instead. Unlock and lock the computer / laptop automatically when your in range. Automatically close all pornographic sites when the wife's ring is detected in the house etc.

Many practical uses.

[Dooms]

Automatically close all pornographic sites when the wife's ring is detected in the house etc.

Many practical uses.

Oooo now there is a better use for this Tech. Have the chip put into the wifes/gf's ring and then you just need NFC points around the house so you can track her movements without her knowing!!

[Lucio]

I think they're missing a trick with the device, instead of billing this as a replacement for a pin code/gesture to unlock something, it should be pitched as an additional level of security, so you need both the ring and the right information to be able to access the device(s) secured.

[Saracen]

I think they're missing a trick with the device, instead of billing this as a replacement for a pin code/gesture to unlock something, it should be pitched as an additional level of security, so you need both the ring and the right information to be able to access the device(s) secured.

Providing it was optional, maybe, but if it was required, then they'd have to supply the ring with the laptop, driving the price up, and have the additionalcomp, ication of telling people buying your laptop that they have to wear, or at least carry, this rather plain, boring and unattractive ring. And even that doesn't get around the fact that people have different-sized fingers. Oh, and the wife and I share the one laptop, so now we both need a £25 ring to use it?

Personally, I'm not a jewellery fan, and I wear one ring, a wedding ring. If I did want another ring permanently in use, it woukdn't be a cheap-looking piece of tat like that, and the wife likes a very specific style, that being light in appearance, subtle, elegant things (except me), and the chances of getting her tovwear a cheap, clunky thing like that?? Zero, I'd say.

And there's one problem with this notion. Anything people wear as jewellery is a very personal taste, and at least for rings, needs to be exactly the right size.

No doubt some people will go for this idea, but I can't see it appealing to a lot of others at all. Me included.

The only real disadvantages of a password are that you can forget it, and it takes a coupke of seconds to type in, but the disadvantage of this is that you have to carry it, and what if you lose it, or it dies?

[Funkstar]

If Google eventually add multiple user profiles to Android this could be a cool way to switch between them. If you and your partner both had NFC rings, then when either of you pick up the tablet on the sofa, the profile changes to suit.

As for unlocking your phone, I can see the uses. For example if you could have it so the screen won't come out of standby without the ring close by it would prevent my two year old from picking it up and activating it then messing about with icons.

It's not something I would really use, but I can see there are uses.

[Evans1234]

this looks quite cool!!!

[Dooms]

If Google eventually add multiple user profiles to Android this could be a cool way to switch between them. If you and your partner both had NFC rings, then when either of you pick up the tablet on the sofa, the profile changes to suit.

As for unlocking your phone, I can see the uses. For example if you could have it so the screen won't come out of standby without the ring close by it would prevent my two year old from picking it up and activating it then messing about with icons.

It's not something I would really use, but I can see there are uses.

Profiles are in 4.3 which is rolling out on the new Nexus 7.

[robkewley]

Steel ring! I have an induction hob at home and prefer not to have my finger melt off whilst cooking the dinner.

[kalniel]

Steel ring! I have an induction hob at home and prefer not to have my finger melt off whilst cooking the dinner.

Then don't stick your finger on the hob.. would you if it was a gas or normal electric hob?

[crossy]

I think they're missing a trick with the device, instead of billing this as a replacement for a pin code/gesture to unlock something, it should be pitched as an additional level of security, so you need both the ring and the right information to be able to access the device(s) secured.

Great minds think alike - I said more or less the same thing at post #13.

Providing it was optional, maybe, but if it was required, then they'd have to supply the ring with the laptop, driving the price up, and have the additional complication of telling people buying your laptop that they have to wear, or at least carry, this rather plain, boring and unattractive ring. And even that doesn't get around the fact that people have different-sized fingers. Oh, and the wife and I share the one laptop, so now we both need a £25 ring to use it?

Getting manufacturers to provide this product would - I heartily agree - be dumb. On the other hand if your company already issues those USB-based two factor authentication devices (like https://www.hidglobal.com/products/c...vid/usb-tokens) then it's conceivable (I guess) that a "NFC Ring Mk 2" that included the crypto part of the token would be attractive (less wear on the USB ports, perhaps less chance of losing it, easier to use). So all that manufacturers have to do is put NFC circuitry in their laptops and desktops - which might be useful for other reasons anyway - like wireless file transfer with smartphones (especially if Apple put NFC in iPhone5S/6)

Personally, I'm not a jewellery fan, and I wear one ring, a wedding ring. If I did want another ring permanently in use, it woukdn't be a cheap-looking piece of tat like that, and the wife likes a very specific style, that being light in appearance, subtle, elegant things (except me), and the chances of getting her tovwear a cheap, clunky thing like that?? Zero, I'd say.

I'm going to sort-of agree with you - e.g. at the moment I'm not even wearing my wedding ring. But who's to say that - assuming the project is a success - that "better" versions won't be forthcoming. If they plan to tap the "yoof" market then more varied designs are a must. No idea how small NFC circuits could be made, but figure that if it's anything like RFID then "very small" is probably the answer.

And there's one problem with this notion. Anything people wear as jewellery is a very personal taste, and at least for rings, needs to be exactly the right size.

The only real disadvantages of a password are that you can forget it, and it takes a coupke of seconds to type in, but the disadvantage of this is that you have to carry it, and what if you lose it, or it dies?

The size issue is a pretty obvious one, and if the Kickstarters haven't addressed it then they need slapped around the head with a Corel Draw boxed set (got one in my loft).

I'd be content to have this ring as a way of unlocking my phone, but would be much happier if it was a component of a two-factor authentication scheme. Funnily enough I was thinking about this at the weekend and it's use as a micropayment method (e.g. for magazines, burgers, etc) could be a plus point - especially with very restricted range, just touch the inside of this ring to a sensor to pay. Note that I'm assuming that would use the part of the ring that's facing your palm to prevent evil rat bags from "skimming" your epayment ring by brushing past you.

Maybe I'm being unduly generous but IF they can continue to develop the idea AND they can get the 3rd party support then I can forsee this idea being more practical than quite a few others that have sought Kickstarter funding.

Then don't stick your finger on the hob.. would you if it was a gas or normal electric hob?

Or you could take the ring off - works for me when I'm bread making etc.

[MercutioUK]

These on their own probably don't add SO much of use. If you had (eg) a door handle that needed to be gripped by the ring to be opened on top of any lock etc that may be installed you could have useful tech.

As a low-security addition to existing measure it might be quite decent.