Facebook - A Social Networking Giant's yet another major big leap in the world of social networking is here.
Facebook Presence via RFID.
Facebook Presence or sharing via RFID will make Facebook a real time, real life companion of yours. Facebook will accompany you wherever you are. You will no more need a Computer or a tablet or mobile phone to access some of the features of Facebook. And this is not very far, indeed this has been implemented in some part of the world.
Facebook in it's F8 developer meet had already used RFID chips.
First what is RFID?
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the use of an object (typically referred to as an RFID tag) applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves.
Facebook has utilized RFID features to make Facebook on the go with you.
Ushuaia Beach Hotel has become world's fist hotel to integrate Facebook RFID's. Facebook RFID's (Facebook Presence) makes real time sharing without the use of a smart phone or a computer or similar devices.
At Ushuaia Hotel they give you a RFID (integrated in a Wristband) while you enter the Hotel (This is optional service). After associating these RFID Bracelets with your Facebook account you can upload your pics on Facebook and even tag yourself or do a status update or check in to Facebook places via various Facebook pillars attached at various points inside hotel. Ex. To upload a pic on Facebook you need to just scan your RFID (bracelet / wristband ) and then the device will click your pic and auto upload it on your Facebook profile.
Also recently Coco-cola used Facebook RFID's to promote itself at Coco-cola amusement park in Israel. This event has also been recognized as "World's first real life RFID event tied to Facebook". Visitors at park were given RFID Bracelet's. People wore these RFID's while enjoying the park, it gave them an option of "Liking" various water rides and video games. At various points in park devices were kept by showing your RFID to these devices it clicked your pics and shared them on Facebook with a photo tag. Hence updating your activity on Facebook in real time.
In a three day event there were 35000 Updates done inside this amusement park and visitors were found frequently uploading their pics, status updates and "liking" different rides and video games. This brought a lot of free promotion for amusement park, free promotion for video game companies and the rides. In total a Good Business Idea and fun for the visitors. Visitors also enjoyed the same as they made their friends jealous in real time on Facebook by sharing their activity.
In a major Auto Exhibition event (AutoRAI), Renault used Facebook RFID's to promote it's cars. Visitors to the event where give these Facebook RFID's which was used to bring more like's to the Renault car. Visitor shared their experiences with Renault in real time being in the event.
Check the video below
Facebook itself used Facebook Connect Card (Facebook RFID's) to connect all developers attending the F8 event. Each attendee at F8 conference was given a token inside which was a RFID chip. This token had got a 10 digit unique number. Everyone at F8 was instructed to use this token number to associate it with their Facebook accounts by visiting Facebook Presence. After associating their token all visitors were automatically checked in to the F8 event on Facebook.
These Facebook connect card were use in the event to share photo's on Facebook instantly. Also while playing game on any game lounge by scanning the chip you can like the Gaming company's page and stay updated to them on Facebook.
This is too early on this part but you can expect Facebook to take it much further, there can be good integration with Facebook presence, Facebook check-in etc. This can be a significant boost to the Hotel Industry and Entertainment Industry and in Event Managements. Facebook may go with some major tie ups in the future for the same.