Near Field Communication (NFC)

From Wikipedia: Near field communication (NFC) is a set of standards for Smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few centimeters. Present and anticipated applications include contactless transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex communications such as Wi-Fi.  Communication is also possible between an NFC device and an unpowered NFC chip, called a "tag".

Since my S3 got NFC function built in, why not using it.  First is to buy some NFC tags.  Second, install the NFC Task Launcher app.

Got my NFC tags from taptap.my.  The seller provides many useful tips to amateur like me.   You can conveniently stick the tag to any location (thanks to the self adhesive tape).  Be warned, there are few types of NFC tag (e.g. MiFare, NTAG203) in the market.  Need to make sure your Smartphone supports it.

Once you got the NFC tag.  You need to download the NFC Task Launcher (it's FREE) from Google Play.  This app will allow you to program the assigned tasks on the tag.  Don't worry, you can re-write the program on the tag as long as you don't create a read-only tag.  You can even create a switch tag with dual actions, e.g. office and meeting profiles.  Simply tap your Smartphone on the tag, you can switch the phone profile vice versa.

NFC Tag

NFC Tag vs 50 cents coin

NFC Task Launcher

Autoguard for Android

I had installed Autoguard Blackbox on my S3 for almost 2 weeks and indeed is a useful and easy to use app.  Autoguard will turn your Smartphone into in car video recorder, with vehicle speed info, GPS coordinates, driving path on the Google Map and etc.  It works just like a standalone in car video recorder where you can manage the video recording resolutions (can support max Full HD format: 1920x1080 pixels at 30fps), video recording clip length, max storage size (i.e. once exceeded the size limit, it will automatically over-ride the older file.  This is a very useful feature if your phone storage size is limited) and many more.

At day time, the video recording quality is superb.  However at night time, the recording quality is just average (very difficult to see the car number in front of my vehicle).  I believe this is where the good dedicated in car video recorder like Blackvue 400G-HD stands out due to better lens quality.  Overall, I can't complain much as I got the app for free.  The Pro version (with some unlocked features) will cost US$2.47.

If you have an Android Smartphone, why not give it a try.  Is available on Google Play.

Playback mode:  Video & map.

Playback mode: Full video