ByteLight Unveils NFC Alternative Called Light Field Communication

IndoorGPSguy writes "Gigaom is reporting Boston-based startup ByteLight has launched a new product called LFC (Light Field Communication). This technology is a new alternative to NFC. It works by transmitting data through an LFC terminal, which is then picked up by the camera on any smartphone. Customers can tap their phones for mobile loyalty programs and mobile payments. It works on any smartphone with a camera, unlike NFC, which doesn't work on iPhones. Gigaom writes: "According to ByteLight, the advantage in using LFC over NFC isn't just accessibility (nearly all smartphones have cameras while NFC chips are harder to come by), but also expense and flexibility.""

Comments

Re:Bluetooth 4 BLE

[Pi1grim]

It is taking off now in bank cards, phones and tags. Most of the phones make after GNex have NFC onboard. So I wouldn't burry the standart yet. Especially in favor of some obscure standard, that could as well be an animated GIF with QR codes.
NFC rocks with it's simplicity - you touch something - it starts working (an URL is opened, phones are paired and file transfer is initiated and so on).

Re:LevelUp

[TheSkepticalOptimist]

Let me describe for you most people's experience with QR codes:

1) Launch a special app because QR doesn't seem to be a built in feature of any phone.
2) Hold the phone in the right way ensuring there is enough light on the QR code, or to ensure the LED doesn't wash the QR code completely white. Wait for the image to stabilize and focus because phone cameras suck at close range.
3) Hit a button to scan, watch a green or red line move across the QR code.
4) Watch the phone fail to register the QR code
5) Move the phone in or out to make the QR code more centered in the view box.
6) Push the button again to scan, watch it fail again
7) Move the Phone
8) Push the button
9) Watch it fail
10) Move the Phone
11) Push the button
12) Watch it fail
13) Move the Phone
14) Push the button
15) Watch it fail ...

1001) Move the phone
1002) Push the button
1003) Fuck it and walk away.