Hasta La Gadget!

NFC (near-field communication) is gradually making its way into everything from smartphones, to credit cards, to cargo containers, to product packaging, as a method of carrying a small amount of data or authentication information along with virtually everything.

Now, some smarty pants over in the UK has come up with the latest use for the technology – wearable NFC, in the form of jewelry.

Created by John McLear, the NFC Ring is a bold and minimal metal ring which has two NFC chips embedded into it. This allows you to use the data stored within with NFC readers. This data can be used to do everything from unlocking doors or mobile phones to sending your contact information to smartphones with NFC capability. I suppose it could even be used to enable mobile payments at some point.

It’s actually a pretty ingenious idea, since it places the NFC data in a much more personal place than a credit card or your wallet, plus you never have to take anything out of your wallet to make it work. The ring has two sides – a larger one which stores public data, and a shorter one which stores private information.

The ring also works with a companion Android app (a Windows Phone version is coming too) which lets you create actions for accessing specific websites when you place the ring at the back of your smartphone.

The NFC ring is available via a Kickstarter campaign until the morning of 8/19/13 – and it’s already blown through its fundraising goal. To get your own NFC ring, you’ll have to pledge between £22 and £25 (~$34 to $39 USD), depending on your ring size.

Ok, this Optimus Prime ring isn’t officially a wedding ring, but come on, what else would you use it for? It’s the perfect ring for Transformers-loving couples, who want to make the ultimate transformation into marriage.

This .925 sterling silver ring is in the likeness of the Autobot leader’s head. It will cost you $91.15(USD) from Etsy seller Princeofdiamonds. That’s not nearly as expensive as a traditional wedding ring, but it’ll certainly make more of an impression than one of those.

Give this ring to your significant other and she will be yours for life. Then settle down and makes lots of little Autobots.

[via Neatorama]

Near-field communication or NFC is a wonderful standard for mobile devices. It’s more secure than RFID and a lot easier to use compared to Bluetooth. I’m not sure why it hasn’t taken off yet, but that may soon change if devices such as John McLear’s invention take off.

McLear’s NFC Ring has two NFC inlays. The idea is to use one for public purposes while the other one is for private applications. So what can you do with it? For starters, you can install NFC-enabled door locks like Lockitron at home and forget about carrying keys. Just tap the ring to lock or unlock your door.

You can also do the same if you have an NFC-enabled mobile device.

Each inlay can store up to 144 bytes of data, enough to share links to websites or personal data.

Pledge at least £22 (~$34 USD) on Kickstarter to get an NFC Ring as a reward. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can print your own ring then pledge just £8 (~$12) for the NFC inlays alone. Or forget the ring, pledge for the inlays then embed them in your skin.

[via Gizmag]

It’s not often that you see a ring made from a bullet that you could see women wearing. These Bullet Blossom rings are just that. Bang and bloom in one. It’s the softer side of firearm ammunition.

The rings are made from Colt .45 ACP bullet casings that are cut and curled into a beautiful and unique rosette. They’re then soldered to an 18-gauge brass backplate. To top it all off, a Swarovski crystal in the color of your choice is inserted in place of the primer, trading its bang for some bling.

It’s what you get the gun-toting gal who has everything. Plus, if a woman is wearing a bullet on her finger that you gave her, I’m pretty sure she will be yours forever.

The Bullet Blossom ring is available from Gun Goddess, and sells for $45(USD), and is also available in nickel.

…or you can use it to keep metal shards at bay, as your last resort to keep your finger alive. You will claim that endearing vulnerability for four movies. Then for some unfathomable reason you will retcon the arc reactor’s reason for existence, and you will do so in the most hurried way possible. Just… what?! Clearly, this ring is far more beautiful than the highly polished piece of crap that is Iron Man 3.

The arc reactor ring was made by Gino Arizmendi aka Pathetic Peripatetic. Gino was commissioned to make the ring by a fellow geek who had seen his unofficial TARDIS ring. To make the ring pop, Gino set blue topaz and diamond baguettes (Ho ho ho! Un baguette!) in white gold.

If you want to own a unique and geeky ring, Gino’s your man. You can also browse his other jewelry on his business website.

[via BuzzFeed]