LevelUp unveils payment docks that take both NFC and QR codes, leave out the guesswork

LevelUp unveils payment docks that take both NFC and QR codes, leave out the guesswork

Most stores accepting mobile payments usually have to take just one format, whether it’s Google Wallet, Square or another flavor that you probably can’t use. LevelUp is convinced you shouldn’t have to choose platforms: it just revealed a new payment dock that will recognize both the company’s existing QR code system as well as NFC. It’s much easier sight on the eyes than typical NFC terminals, to boot. Just don’t expect a one-for-one recreation of systems like Google Wallet or Isis. Rather than expose your banking details by holding them in a chip, LevelUp’s NFC is just used to move the transaction along — if it’s used to get things started, shoppers can either switch to a QR code or complete the transaction with a second tap. The company is mostly planning to replace its existing payment points across the US with the NFC-aware models. Bluetooth 4.0 is an option for the future, however, which could make LevelUp even more of a Swiss Army Knife for the world of mobile commerce.

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LevelUp unveils payment docks that take both NFC and QR codes, leave out the guesswork originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Goggles update brings support for devices without autofocus

Google Goggles update brings support for smartphones without autofocus If you thought Google’s perspicacious searching application was clever before, prepare for a shock. Google Goggles version 1.9 adds support for devices without autofocusing optics, giving those on budget gear a chance to use the real world as a search box. Point it at a QR code containing a URL, and it’ll show you a thumbnail of the page and check its credentials against its blacklist of malicious sites. If it comes up short when searching for a product, it’ll even search for similar-looking items to help you find what you’re looking for, and it’s available from the Play store for free — so you don’t really have any excuse.

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Google Goggles update brings support for devices without autofocus originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Austrian city builds public library with nothing but QR codes, NFC and stickers

Austrian city builds public library with nothing but QR Codes, NFC and stickers

Strangely, the Austrian city of Klagenfurt doesn’t have a public library, even though it hosts the Festival of German-Language Literature. However, an initiative dubbed Project Ingeborg is turning the municipality into a book repository of sorts with 70 QR code and NFC chip-equipped stickers. Plastered throughout town, they direct users to web pages where they can download public domain works, largely from Project Gutenberg. Oftentimes, e-books will be located in relevant locations — so you’ll be sure to find Arthur Schnitzler’s The Killer near the police station, for example. Come August, the team behind the effort will partner with local talent to distribute books, music and other digital content too. In an effort to build a stronger bond to the location, the organizers have prevented search engines from indexing the links, so you’ll have to visit Klagenfurt to access the curated goods. If you’d like to turn your city into a library, the group hopes to release instructions for replicating their system soon.

[Thanks, Michael]

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Austrian city builds public library with nothing but QR codes, NFC and stickers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon’s Flow augmented reality app comes to Android, makes shopping more entertaining

Amazon's Flow augmented reality app comes to Android, makes shopping more entertaining

The iOS crowd’s been able to enjoy Flow’s AR features since late last year, but fortunately for those on the Android side who’ve been missing out, this powered-by-Amazon app is now (finally) also available on Google’s OS. It’s simple, using augmented reality and A9’s “continuous scan technology,” the application allows users to buy, as well as get extra information on products such as video games, books, toys, DVDs and CDs through simply using one’s smartphone camera — much like Google Goggles does. Additionally, Flow will keep your scanning history on file, making it easier to find items by date, name, category or scan type. What’s more, Amazon’s Flow won’t cost you a nickel, and it’s up for download now via the company’s own app shop and the Google Play link below.

Amazon’s Flow augmented reality app comes to Android, makes shopping more entertaining originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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