I thought I would have an investigation with NFC Tags and the iPhone. Firstly I bought 10 x NFC Tags NTAG213 Clear Stickers from Amazon and invested in purchasing the ‘NFC Tools’ App from the Apple AppStore.
I have to say I’m just scratching the surface but it’s a great experience
As you can see from above, I have tried out an easy item… a custom URL, that being this website. Next was the ability to run an Apple shortcut 👍🏻
After tweeting a while back to Apple Support they suggested I submitted a feature request. Here are those that I have submitted so far…
✓ iPhone/iPad/MacBook Auto/proximity lock with watch: When away from a paired/known device the device locks, such as walking away and leaving it unattended. By-product, if it is stolen/taken away without permission.
✓ Accelerate to lock iPhone: dropping iPhone or having it snatched away from user, detects a large enough acceleration, then the device locks.
✓ FaceTime in tv paired with iPhone: Having a FaceTime app on iPadOS that detects an iPhone also near it (in front of tv) and uses the tv app to display the conversation and the iPhone camera to record it.
✓ Contacts Social graphing in iMessage/Mail with Siri: Connecting contacts within the Contacts App will allow such Siri commands as… ”send a message/email to my cousins”, “send an email to the Thain family”.
✓ Call identification on iPhone (spam etc): Create a way to crowd source spam numbers and display the possibility of that on the incoming call screen. Having a little more granularity that block unknown callers.
✓ Translation in Notes, Pages etc: Use the Translate app facility to have selected typed text translated to a selected language.
✓ Battery widget enhancement: Ability to see iPad levels from iPhone and vice versa, also watch levels from iPad. Also push notification on iPad/iPhone when connected devices get near to a specific low’ish level, suggesting time to recharge.
✓ iPhone/iPad: Ability to select synchronisation of App groups and organisation of Apps on the home screen of iPhones and iPads for the same user.
✓ AirTag Lost mode: Ability to suggest an Apple Store that the user would like the lost item dropped off at. Then get a notification that the AirTag is at that location or another Apple Store, for collection.
✓ tv Find My: Ability to have the App on tv, for the unlikely users that do not have an iPhone, iPad or MacBook, other than the one that are trying to locate, but do have an tv.
✓ iPhone/iPad Aircraft mode replies: Ability to have the Messages App/iCloud to know when the device enters/leaves flight mode and reply… “I’m in flight mode and will get your message when I land” to favourites. Similar to when driving.
As I think of more, I will add to subsequent blog posts 👍🏻
Ian Thain 