Hmmm... Apple introduces new iPhone and a new port. Old chargers are now incompatible.
Samsung releases new Galaxy phone. Old NFC tags are now incompatible.
Just wanted to draw that disappointing parallel, though I reckon it's fairly obvious to all. This is disappointing. Even though we're not talking a lot of money here, ($11 or more for 5 tiles) I would still be a little upset had I invested in Samsung's TecTiles only to find them non-functional as I continue to support Samsung by upgrading to their latest flagship S4 phone.
Maybe this is just me, but I think that's a ridiculous parallel to make. This is Samsung moving from a proprietary nfc tag version (from MIFARE) to a standard version. With Apple, you moved from a proprietary connector to another proprietary connector. Not only that, but you're also comparing something millions of people use every day (the charger) and that a huge battery of accessories relied on (some costing several hundreds of dollars) to some NFC tags which costs like 10 bucks for a packet of multiple stickers, and that next to no one (compared to the number of people using the Lightning connector) uses.
That's true. But there's also another point of view. Apple had one standard for years (like 10 or something) and how long lasted TecTiles standard? During last 10 years Samsung had more than 40 different types of connectors. It's all about consequence. Just saying...
So why didn't they just use the more compatible ones in the first place then? And it only seems ridiculous if you read too much into it, which I can see most have. To clarify, I own an S3. And basically, if I had already placed a bunch of tiles around my house/car/etc. and then decided to upgrade to the S4, I would have the annoying task of replacing them. It's not a big deal, just annoying, and unnecessary, like Apple's proprietary adapters are in the first place!
If you're spending $600 on a luxury item such as a GS4 (maybe hundreds more depending on the model, region and taxes) less than a year after buying your GS3+NFC tags, I don't think spending $15 on new set of NFC tags is going to be much of a bother. It would be like ordering a $100 Kobe Filet and taking issue with the $10 salad that comes with it.
That is a ridiculous comparison. First these two things have nothing to do with each other. Second Apple used the same connector for 10 years before upgrading it to a far better and more modern solution. Third the lightning connector does many things micro usb does not do. Fourth Samsungs new charge is proprietary if you want fast charging..
I like how everyone else is saying this is silly because of the scale being discussed, and you're saying it's silly because it was mean to Apple. Very cute.
"Far better and more modern"? You obviously have not read up on this POS. It has no audio line out. Its video output is heavily compressed, artifact-riddled garbage of LOWER resolution than the old dock connector's. And I wouldn't be surprised if the audio stream (which of course you need yet another bulky dongle to decode) were compressed also.
There's little doubt that Apple DID need a more modern and flexible port. But they spectacularly failed to deliver one.
I may only speculate, but I would guess that S3 will read new TecTile 2 tags without problem. So the only party which will suffer (a bit) are those who bought original TecTile tags and meanwhile moved to new S4.
Using MIFARE tags for this was just an oversight on Samsung part (or good lobbying on NXP part).
MiFare (classic) is the more standard style, it's one of the most widely used RFID tags.
It is in fact really strange that the broadcom chip does not read the MiFare chips, as MiFare is based on ISO/IEC 14443 (NXP was actually one of the leading companies in defining this specification as well as NFC). NFC is much newer but it is largely based on ISO/IEC 14443 and all NFC readers should be fully compatible with all ISO/IEC 14443 tags (ISO/IEC 14443 readers are not necessarily compatible with NFC devices/tags).
MIFARE Classic is as long standard as you have NXP chips, preferebly on both sides, but definitely on reader side. While MIFARE actually uses (some parts and extends the others of) ISO 14443 for lower layer spec, on protocol and application level it is NXP proprietary and requires NXP blessing, which usually comes as NXP chip.
TecTile is neither a standard, nor *necessary* for the usage of the device. If you want to use your iStuff dock with your new iPhone, you *need* an adapter (which probably will mess up your dock) or a new dock.
Drawing a comparison between the two is utterly absurd.
NoScript != no Javascript. The difference is that *I* get to pick what Javascript gets executed, so I can block trackers, facebook, Twitter and whatever else I don't want.
Exactly. It's good that he is aware about scripts but you should do some filtering. not just enable or disable because most pages use javascript and the trend is upwards. Any dynamic web page uses js atm
I was very clear about the parallel I was trying to draw. Don't read to much into it. Just like I would be frustrated that some of my old chargers no longer work, I would also be frustrated that all those TecTiles I bought and placed around my house/car/etc. don't work. Also note I said "would be". I own an S3 and love it, but thankfully haven't invested any effort into TecTiles. I was planning on it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Since they came out with a new version, I suppose that's a blessing.
Just remember, the only parallel I was drawing was that in a short time the standard has changed for at least some who have invested in a now "old" standard that really isn't even old at all yet!!
I think this shows the lack of transparency and information at Samsung side. And I have a feeling it is done deliberately. Apple customers were all informed since Day 1 about the new Lightning connectors and their incompatibility with older devices. Samsung chooses not to mention anything about TecTile 2 unless a columnist like Brian digs deeper and finds out. Also the wording "announced" in the title is a little misleading because I fail to see a public "announcement" done. There is only a "statement" made to Brian. Dishonest Samsung is dishonest, as always...
While I agree it's disappointing Samsung didn't make an attempt at backwards compatibility, the fact remains that it was the initial release of new technology. Early adopters always risk their investment becoming obsolete when the next generation rolls out, especially if it's something implemented before the tech becomes standardized. The Japanese spent billions of dollars developing and testing an analog HDTV standard during the 1970s and 1980s. All of it became obsolete almost overnight in the 1990s when processors got fast enough to compress/decompress digital HDTV signals in real-time.
While Apple's case was a long-established (if proprietary) standard, I'm willing to cut them some slack. Their connector had been around for nearly a decade, so it wasn't surprising to see it updated to take advantage of technological progress over that decade. While it's possible to breathe new life into an old standard to extend its life (e.g. IDE -> EIDE -> ATA/33 -> ATA/66 -> ATA/100 -> ATA/133), at some point it just becomes obsolete enough that you're better off completely replacing it with a better, incompatible standard (PATA -> SATA). The only criticism I have of Apple's connector update is that they're still refusing to adopt the universal micro-USB charging standard.
I agree. Not sure where the lightning connector came in. Lets be thankful they didn't bring up the narrow gauge rail system, that old chestnut is best left buried.
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Davidjan - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
It is perfect to use GS4 with this to add extenal storage!!!http://goo.gl/lfEXI
SirKronan - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
Hmmm... Apple introduces new iPhone and a new port. Old chargers are now incompatible.Samsung releases new Galaxy phone. Old NFC tags are now incompatible.
Just wanted to draw that disappointing parallel, though I reckon it's fairly obvious to all. This is disappointing. Even though we're not talking a lot of money here, ($11 or more for 5 tiles) I would still be a little upset had I invested in Samsung's TecTiles only to find them non-functional as I continue to support Samsung by upgrading to their latest flagship S4 phone.
thexile - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
How many invested in TecTile compare to number of iApple users?Martuv93 - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
Maybe this is just me, but I think that's a ridiculous parallel to make. This is Samsung moving from a proprietary nfc tag version (from MIFARE) to a standard version. With Apple, you moved from a proprietary connector to another proprietary connector.Not only that, but you're also comparing something millions of people use every day (the charger) and that a huge battery of accessories relied on (some costing several hundreds of dollars) to some NFC tags which costs like 10 bucks for a packet of multiple stickers, and that next to no one (compared to the number of people using the Lightning connector) uses.
jarekt - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
That's true. But there's also another point of view. Apple had one standard for years (like 10 or something) and how long lasted TecTiles standard? During last 10 years Samsung had more than 40 different types of connectors. It's all about consequence. Just saying...SirKronan - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
So why didn't they just use the more compatible ones in the first place then? And it only seems ridiculous if you read too much into it, which I can see most have. To clarify, I own an S3. And basically, if I had already placed a bunch of tiles around my house/car/etc. and then decided to upgrade to the S4, I would have the annoying task of replacing them. It's not a big deal, just annoying, and unnecessary, like Apple's proprietary adapters are in the first place!Roffles12 - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
If you're spending $600 on a luxury item such as a GS4 (maybe hundreds more depending on the model, region and taxes) less than a year after buying your GS3+NFC tags, I don't think spending $15 on new set of NFC tags is going to be much of a bother. It would be like ordering a $100 Kobe Filet and taking issue with the $10 salad that comes with it.darwinosx - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
That is a ridiculous comparison. First these two things have nothing to do with each other. Second Apple used the same connector for 10 years before upgrading it to a far better and more modern solution. Third the lightning connector does many things micro usb does not do. Fourth Samsungs new charge is proprietary if you want fast charging..Spunjji - Thursday, May 2, 2013 - link
I like how everyone else is saying this is silly because of the scale being discussed, and you're saying it's silly because it was mean to Apple. Very cute.MobiusStrip - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
"Far better and more modern"? You obviously have not read up on this POS. It has no audio line out. Its video output is heavily compressed, artifact-riddled garbage of LOWER resolution than the old dock connector's. And I wouldn't be surprised if the audio stream (which of course you need yet another bulky dongle to decode) were compressed also.There's little doubt that Apple DID need a more modern and flexible port. But they spectacularly failed to deliver one.
MobiusStrip - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
Except Apple's new dock connector is a degraded, ill-conceived fiasco that is technically worse than its predecessor.risa2000 - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
I may only speculate, but I would guess that S3 will read new TecTile 2 tags without problem. So the only party which will suffer (a bit) are those who bought original TecTile tags and meanwhile moved to new S4.Using MIFARE tags for this was just an oversight on Samsung part (or good lobbying on NXP part).
SirKronan - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
Good point. Why didn't they just go with the standard, more compatible style in the FIRST place?knirfie - Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - link
MiFare (classic) is the more standard style, it's one of the most widely used RFID tags.It is in fact really strange that the broadcom chip does not read the MiFare chips, as MiFare is based on ISO/IEC 14443 (NXP was actually one of the leading companies in defining this specification as well as NFC).
NFC is much newer but it is largely based on ISO/IEC 14443 and all NFC readers should be fully compatible with all ISO/IEC 14443 tags (ISO/IEC 14443 readers are not necessarily compatible with NFC devices/tags).
AbRASiON - Thursday, May 2, 2013 - link
The whole thing is a stupid bloody mess. I need to replace 25$ worth of tags now due to this.risa2000 - Saturday, May 4, 2013 - link
MIFARE Classic is as long standard as you have NXP chips, preferebly on both sides, but definitely on reader side. While MIFARE actually uses (some parts and extends the others of) ISO 14443 for lower layer spec, on protocol and application level it is NXP proprietary and requires NXP blessing, which usually comes as NXP chip.Friendly0Fire - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
TecTile is neither a standard, nor *necessary* for the usage of the device. If you want to use your iStuff dock with your new iPhone, you *need* an adapter (which probably will mess up your dock) or a new dock.Drawing a comparison between the two is utterly absurd.
Friendly0Fire - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
And that's what I get for using NoScript. This was supposed to be a reply to jarekt.Tegeril - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
Browsing the Internet without JavaScript these days blows my mind.Friendly0Fire - Saturday, April 27, 2013 - link
NoScript != no Javascript. The difference is that *I* get to pick what Javascript gets executed, so I can block trackers, facebook, Twitter and whatever else I don't want.wifiwolf - Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - link
Exactly. It's good that he is aware about scripts but you should do some filtering. not just enable or disable because most pages use javascript and the trend is upwards. Any dynamic web page uses js atmSirKronan - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
I was very clear about the parallel I was trying to draw. Don't read to much into it. Just like I would be frustrated that some of my old chargers no longer work, I would also be frustrated that all those TecTiles I bought and placed around my house/car/etc. don't work. Also note I said "would be". I own an S3 and love it, but thankfully haven't invested any effort into TecTiles. I was planning on it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.Since they came out with a new version, I suppose that's a blessing.
Just remember, the only parallel I was drawing was that in a short time the standard has changed for at least some who have invested in a now "old" standard that really isn't even old at all yet!!
nerdstalker - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
I think this shows the lack of transparency and information at Samsung side. And I have a feeling it is done deliberately. Apple customers were all informed since Day 1 about the new Lightning connectors and their incompatibility with older devices. Samsung chooses not to mention anything about TecTile 2 unless a columnist like Brian digs deeper and finds out. Also the wording "announced" in the title is a little misleading because I fail to see a public "announcement" done. There is only a "statement" made to Brian. Dishonest Samsung is dishonest, as always...Solandri - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
While I agree it's disappointing Samsung didn't make an attempt at backwards compatibility, the fact remains that it was the initial release of new technology. Early adopters always risk their investment becoming obsolete when the next generation rolls out, especially if it's something implemented before the tech becomes standardized. The Japanese spent billions of dollars developing and testing an analog HDTV standard during the 1970s and 1980s. All of it became obsolete almost overnight in the 1990s when processors got fast enough to compress/decompress digital HDTV signals in real-time.While Apple's case was a long-established (if proprietary) standard, I'm willing to cut them some slack. Their connector had been around for nearly a decade, so it wasn't surprising to see it updated to take advantage of technological progress over that decade. While it's possible to breathe new life into an old standard to extend its life (e.g. IDE -> EIDE -> ATA/33 -> ATA/66 -> ATA/100 -> ATA/133), at some point it just becomes obsolete enough that you're better off completely replacing it with a better, incompatible standard (PATA -> SATA). The only criticism I have of Apple's connector update is that they're still refusing to adopt the universal micro-USB charging standard.
Sunsmasher - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
Much ado about nothing....SirKronan - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
Basically true. They're only $15 a set after all.BoRadley - Sunday, April 28, 2013 - link
I agree. Not sure where the lightning connector came in. Lets be thankful they didn't bring up the narrow gauge rail system, that old chestnut is best left buried.Alvar - Monday, April 29, 2013 - link
6 Reasons to get the Samsung Galaxy S4... http://tinyurl.com/cunrjq6