Xperia smart tags allow for environmental NFC profiles with NFC tags

Xperia smart tags allow for environmental NFC profiles with NFC tags

Sony released the Sony Xperia ION and the Sony Xperia S at CES, and Xperia smart tags came along for the ride. We attended the main Sony press conference at CES where there was no word on NFC in any way. Everything was about TVs, video cameras, and the Xperia smartphones got brief mention. NFC wasn’t on the topic of conversation, which is amazing because Sony unveiled more NFC products than any other large consumer electronics giant at the show. One such product was the Xperia smart tag, which comes along as a set with both the Sony Xperia ION and the Sony Xperia S.

Sony has developed an Android app that allows consumers to encode tags with its NFC Xperia smartphones that allows for what Sony sees as environmental controls. For example, when you get in your car you can touch an NFC tag and set up Bluetooth and other preferences. At home, you can immediately connect to WiFi and Bluetooth for NFC speakers. Whereas this concept is not revolutionary and there are other apps within the Android Market that do the exact same set of tasks, it is great to see Sony getting on board and supporting non-NFC payment solutions.

The Xperia smart tags are simply NFC tags wrapped in plastic with a hook or eye at the top. The people on the Sony booth were pretty uneducated about the products and so we found ourselves working out what they actually did. No one on the Sony booth at CES knew which type of tags were used, whether there was any security, or how much information the NFC tags held. What was known, however, was that you get a couple of Xperia smart tags with your purchase of either the Sony Xperia S or the Sony Xperia ION and that you could buy another four Xperia smart tags for $37. A little steep to say the least for NFC tags wrapped in plastic.

Sony Xperia smart tags could add value to NFC tags on a daily basis for consumers

What this Xperia smart tag concept does is get consumers used to using NFC tags for different jobs within their lives. NFC tags are often seen as throw away consumables because when you see just plain NFC tags, they hardly communicate consumer function. In creating a Xperia smart tags Sony has given those NFC tags a purpose and a value that consumers will likely use on a daily basis, which is great for NFC on the whole.

What we don’t understand is why Sony decided not to feature its new NFC products in its press conference. Sony co-invented NFC and has the opportunity to really maximize its exposure for supporting NFC throughout its ecosystem. Perhaps someone over at Sony just dropped the ball when it came to planning the press conference. Nonetheless, both the Sony Xperia ION and Sony Xperia S are beautiful NFC smartphones and the Xperia smart tags are a welcome addition.

We expect to see the Xperia smart tags make their debut in late March or early April along with the Sony Xperia ION and Sony Xperia S NFC smartphones.