We're on the verge of a worldwide NFC explosion. ABI predicts that NFC-enabled handsets available in market will soar fivefold in the next five years to reach 3.5 billion globally by 2019. The business world is beginning to take a real interest. But aside from revolutionising the worlds of retail payments and transport access what other ways can NFC be used creatively to engage with consumers and drive new models of business?
The power of NFC deployment lies in the fast, seamless, secure way – via as simple tap – people connect their smartphone with physical media and objects to initiate all kinds of interactions. By uniquely connecting the physical to the digital worlds, NFC can enable entirely new brand-consumer experiences and find its way into new business applications such as interactive advertising, shopper activation and engagement, loyalty schemes, as well as on-package and on-product information sharing. What's more, any content in the field can be changed dynamically in the back-end, so it stays fresh and relevant. Because NFC lets you gather data about each interaction, it's also a valuable source of insights into consumer behaviour.
Here are just a few examples of real world NFC projects deployed by the world's most innovative companies using state-of-the-art NFC technology from NXP.
BMW Car Hotspot LTE device is an NFC accessory consumers can use to access fast internet on the road. The device allows up to eight users to automatically connect to the vehicle's WiFi hub by tapping their NFC phone onto the LTE logo of the hotspot.
MINI rolled out its own NFC solution for the Mini F56. The 'key cap' incorporates NFC and allows users to immediately activate and pair Bluetooth with an NFC-enabled smartphone.
Guinness has been rolling out a mobile brand engagement program using Near Field Communication technology. NXP's NFC tags are incorporated into thousands of Guinness' beer founts in the UK and Ireland. A further 60,000 NFC-enabled founts are being planned for 2015.
Customers can download the Guinness mobile app onto their smartphone to access Guinness specific content or enter competitions to win a complimentary pint just by tapping their phone against the famous harp symbol.
NFC in the pub doesn't stop at the bar. Brewer Carlsberg has developed a unique 'NFC beermat' that enables Danish patrons to access the Crowdit venue discovery app and receive promotions. The NFC tap helps to subscribe to a BLE broadcast, as the campaign is supported by Bluetooth beacons which are used to push special offers to nearby devices running the Crowdit app. Not only does the campaign enable Carlsberg to uniquely connect with patrons, it also encourages footfall and boost sales for operators.
Four Levent's dress shirts for men all come with an NFC tag in each cuff. The NFC tags come preloaded with a link back to fourlevent.com, but can be changed to anything the customer wants via a mobile app e.g. storing one's contact information on the tag, putting the URL to the own website, etc. Upon delivery, the NFC tags are pre-loaded with Four Levent's bonus system: whenever someone taps their smartphone on a shirt owner's NFC tag and then buys from the shop, both get a 20% instant reward.
One of the ways NFC deployment is most powerful is when it's used to connect the physical to the digital worlds – transforming any physical medium and object into users' dynamic brand and content experiences. An example of this is BMW and Spiegel who teamed up to create the first mass-produced NFC print ad in Germany.
NFC smartphone users can launch the new BMW iApp by simply placing their phone on the tagged print ad. They can then explore a range of interactive information and services that demonstrate BMW's sustainable mobility capabilities.
Lexus US were also able to merge the worlds of old and new with its advertisement in Wired magazine. When tapping the ad with and NFC enabled phone, readers were directed to a mobile website to "test-drive" Lexus Enform, the car maker's in-car navigation and information service, and explore a range of interactive demonstration videos.
VivaLnk created a Digital Tattoo, an electronic skin (eSkin) product with an embedded NFC tag. Developed with Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group, the Digital Tattoo is a paper-thin adhesive worn on the wrist and used to wirelessly communicate with a user's smartphone. It enables an electronic authentication to unlock the phone for use and makes logging into the device fast, easy and secure. Digital Tattoos are disposable and can be worn for about five days before replacement is required.
The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, located in New York City developed an NFC-based solution for its exhibits that allows visitors to create their own digital designs.
Upon arrival, each visitor receives an NFC-enabled stylus, containing an electronic drawing implement on one side and an NFC reader on the other. Visitors can use the device to tap NFC labels which are affixed to, or near, objects — such as wallpapers, lighting fixtures, furniture or vases —throughout the museum. When tapping the NFC label with the reader, it stores information and patterns from exhibits in the stylus' memory. Visitors can afterwards send the patterns to an interactive screen, enabling them to use the stylus to add things to the design. The guests can then share their creations with friends via e-mail or social media.
When shoppers arrive at the online retailer's Made.com furniture showroom, they are invited to use their NFC- powered smartphone, or borrow one of 10 Google Nexus 7 tablets which have built-in NFC readers. An NFC tag has been attached to each item within the showroom, as well as on the showroom's walls – with products being available exclusively online. If consumers tap their smartphone or tablet against a tag they can see additional information about the item/product. Furthermore, the solution enables them to create a wish list of products they like which they can forward to their e-mail address. The service aims to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping, for those who wish to touch and feel products before purchase.
The shop floor is the perfect environment for NFC, enabling brands to engage with consumers to allow for instant information and gratification. News America Marketing (NAM) offers an in-store service called "Smartsource with NFC" which is available for the company's Shelftalk signs (currently deployed in 58,000 stores).
Kraft Food used this NFC-powered in-store signage in US supermarkets. Shoppers could retrieve helpful content every time they tap a shelf talker, including special offers, instructional videos or recipes, and share socially. They were also invited to download the Kraft's iFood Assistant app to browse more recipes at home, create shopping lists, and locate the nearest store.
Aki Choklat's designer bags are equipped with NFC tags, working with an app and a cloud-based authentication service. By way of tapping, consumers can authenticate their bags, displaying when and where the bags were made. The app also provides the possibility to create a travel diary and track down a bag if it is ever stolen.
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In strip 634, named "The wrong reasons" just to drive the point home.
V has finally said the right 4 words -- "I ... I must succeed." to the right individual (zirself) for all the wrong reasons (unwilling to admit weakness).
Xykon tells us that real evil is about how far you're willing to go before admitting error.
A constant theme in the comic, I think.
At last, speculation is over and now we all know. So .. who came closest?
I'll admit to not being anywhere close with my guess. However, I am overjoyed that I won't have to read anyone (seriously) saying that "Disintegrate. Gust of Wind." were the four words. Can I get an allejuliah? ALLEJULIAH!
However, I am overjoyed that I won't have to read anyone (seriously) saying that "Disintegrate. Gust of Wind." were the four words.
You have much more faith in the posters of this board than I do.
Last edited by Porthos; 2009-03-01 at 11:27 PM.
I had not thought about the connection to SOD - good call, I like it.
Xykon's line is ironic considering that is exactly what Redcloak is doing, as Right-Eye points out - by his own reasoning, Redcloak is more evil than he will ever be.
I also thought it was interesting that the right being was in fact himself. I am not sure what I was expecting, but not that (Though using stuttering to make four words is a little mean ).
I do not think the speculating will die down just yet though - I have seen a few people contest whether they are the four words for certain reasons, and some who still stand by "Disintegrate. Gust of Wind." It does seem fairly certain though, especially given the name of the comic.
One thing is for sure, this has been an interesting arc. I eagerly wait where the comic will take us next.
...Is it too much to ask for the splice to show V's gender?
I am of death. Subtle and glaring. Bane and champion.
The trouble as far as I see it is, "I...I must succeed," contains three words, one of which is repeated. It is not clear-cut and unambiguous, and I'm sure Rich is aware of that being a fantastic word-smith and all.
dish is a cool crazy cat lady.
The comic name, however, is. And all of the elements click into place like clockwork.
Right four words "I... I must succeed."
Right time: One second before the Time Stop ends (this is the real clincher).
Wrong Reasons: for self-satisfaction, not for saving her family after all.
Well, there is always the chance that V will say the four words in the beginning of the next comic, you know? If these 4 don't count. If these 4 do count, then.... well, point is void.
Try that logic with a sending spell and see how far you get.
The Oracle said "four words to the right being". Nothing in that about different words, not even by implication.
Really, I can't see how it can't be more cut and dried than it already is.
Mind you, I can see how people can be dissatisfied with these being the four words, and therefore looking for other alternatives. But when you have a strip that says, "The Wrong Reasons" one better come up with a darn good reason why the four words weren't actually in this strip.
Except that this isn't real ultimate arcane power. It's fake ultimate arcane power. It's not even permanent, it's temporary fake ultimate arcane power.
I do like the "no divine spells" clause: it's not ultimate divine power for a reason, and it also means V can't pop over to Haley and summon up a new Roy. Although I'm sure he could summon up some extra Roys in a pinch and keep them around just in case. In fact, clones of all the OotS members would be awesome. And the Nale finds them all and builds himself the perfect Linear Guild....but I digress.
The thing that makes me doubt here is that the Oracle's prophecy made it sound like the four words would be the cause of V gaining ultimate arcane power, and that's not the case here. V isn't gaining power by means of saying "I... I must succeed", but merely while saying it.
The strip title is certainly intended to make us think this is the moment, but it wouldn't be the first time that Rich has played games with forumite expectations.
Last edited by baf; 2009-03-02 at 02:05 AM.
Well, the oracle was only asked when V will get ultimate arcane power and she will get it, even if it's just for a couple of hours. We know the oracle like to twist his prophecies when he can.
@ Baf: I consider the words as the cause of gaining ultimate power, because if these words weren't pronounced, V wouldn't have touched the orb and gained ultimate power.
If anybody theorizes that the four words from V's prophecy are 'I... I must succeed' I will arrange for a hitman to publicly execute him.
...and may the grand !MooXooM! above enlighten your path.
You may just need an army. The entire forum has theorized such.
Could it be that "I... I must succeed." are the four words the oracle spoke about?
Anyone who doesn't think those are the 4 words and make threads stating as much I will strangle with my own two hands.
These are Schrödinger's four words. It's them, and at the same time it's not them. They are in a superposition.
There, now you can both strangle me. And Mr Scruffy is Schrödinger's cat.
And V has Schrödinger's Chromosome, while we're on the subject.
Anyway, those HAD to be the 4 words.
Every element of the prophecy is there, unlike every other "4 words" combination we've seen before this.
Besides, the strip title itself tells us that it's all The Wrong Reasons.
An effective caster level of what... 40? 50? is as "ultimate" as it gets within this world.
And Vaarsuvius never said he wanted "lasting ultimate arcane power"! Mark that!
You mean as soon as you find out whether it's X or Y, [s]he dies?
a: thats a bit hard to deside when we dont have a definition on ultimative arcane power, a lot of people would say that epic spells covers it.
Half the boards would, that's for certain.
A: Piloting three epic spellcasters that just so happen to fill in each of your own deficiencies sounds pretty "ultimate" to me.
B: He did say four words. The fact that one of them was repeated doesn't matter. If you repeat yourself during a Sending spell, it still counts towards the limit.
This is precisely what I thought and would have posted if the forums were not playing games with me!
EXCEPT!!!! V asked HOW he would achieve complete and total arcane power. Saying the 4 words did not make him achieve anything. Choose to accept the deal (technically, touching the colored ball) is what gave him the power. He would have still gotten the power without saying those 4 words.
These are not the words you are looking for!
"How will I achieve" can be interpreted to mean "in what manner will I achieve" instead of "what is the cause of me achieving." I.E. a description of the circumstances, not of the cause.
Alternately, you could make the case that V would not have touched the orb if he/she had not talked him/herself into doing so with those words. Thus, the words led to the touching which led to the power.
Congratulations, you can link to TV Tropes. This does not mean you have special insight into the storytelling process, much less the author's mind. Stories don't need to fit into neat boxes, you know.
You not reading the comic isn't going to make this comic any less awesome for all the rest of us.
The fulfilment of the prophecy is not clear-cut.
1) It's just that the phrasing "four words" implies that every single one of those words is important on its own and can not be snipped off at will. This is not the case here. V's stuttering of the word "I" is completely irrelevant. It's the actual three words, "I must succeed", that have any meaning here.
Therefore, if this were what the prophecy was referring to, it likely would have been phrased as "three words" rather than "four words".
Likewise, V is supposed to achieve power by saying the four words, not while doing so. That is, the four words are the direct cause of the power boost. This is far too ambiguous here to be considered applicable, as the words themselves didn't really change anything.
2) The same problem arises with "to the right being". If the "being" was supposed to be V, why does it need to be mentioned at all? Why not just "by saying the right four words at the right time for all the wrong reasons?" The "being" part implies that an interlocutor is present, that Vaarsuvius is saying these words to a being other than himself.
3) Vaarsuvius asks how he will achieve CaTUAP.
/əˈtʃiv/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-cheev] Show IPA verb, a⋅chieved, a⋅chiev⋅ing.
Accomplish, attain by effort. In this case, the effort of... reaching out and touching the orb?
4) As already mentioned, this power is limited. I'm not talking about the duration, because technically that wouldn't contradict the prophecy. But the various clauses limit the effect of the arcane spells. I mean, Wish is an arcane spell, regardless of what effects it can achieve. It should be a part of UAP.
UAP, to my mind, sounds like it should be pure and simple, with no ifs and buts.
5) Rich has gone out of his way to lampshade the idea of V's prophecy getting fulfilled soon. "I need more power!" "Magical power beyond your wildest imaginings!" "The Wrong Reasons". This is, of course, purely a matter of opinion, but I doubt Rich would give us a neon-sign warning like that if this were the real thing.
So yes, sign me in for the "this is fake power" camp.
Last edited by Kaytara; 2009-03-02 at 06:14 AM.
Implication is irrelevant to prophecies. V said 4 words. Count 'em: "I... I must succeed." 1... 2 3 4.
Again, implications are irrelevant - I don't see how you could get that implication out of it in any case. V is the right being simply because NOBODY can convince him to sell his soul but himself.
He would not have touched it without first convincing himself. Note the first time he almost touched it (before Lee's theory), he spoke to himself reassuringly then as well. The actual act, whether touching an orb, pricking his finger, signing his name in blood etc., is secondary to that justification.
4) As already mentioned, this power is limited. I'm not talking about the duration, because technically contradict the prophecy. But the various clauses limit the effect of the arcane spells. I mean, Wish is an arcane spell, regardless of what effects it can achieve. It should be a part of UAP.
He CAN cast both Wishes. He just can't duplicate divine effects with them. The purely arcane applications are still present in their entirety.
Did you miss the lightshow at the end of the comic? This is IT.
Last edited by Optimystik; 2009-03-02 at 06:20 AM.


text:
Photos of the Expo Line through history
by goodwindo , April 23, 2012
Santa Monica Railway Station, Los Angeles & Independence Railroad, 1880. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection.
Today's Expo Line has its origins in a railroad between Los Angeles and Santa Monica that went into service in 1875. The Los Angeles & Independence Railroad later became the Air Line, the direct ancestor of the Expo Line.
The Los Angeles & Independence was sold in 1877 to the Southern Pacific, which built a half-mile wharf north of Santa Monica Canyon to provide ships with a place to unload their freight. At this point the Los Angeles & Independence Railroad became an important freight and passenger rail line.
The following photos show the rail line in its many incarnations over the decades.
Los Angeles & Independence Railroad Terminal at Fifth Street and San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, 1895. Photo courtesy of University of Southern California, on behalf of the USC Special Collections.
Santa Monica Long Wharf, Los Angeles & Independence Railroad, late 19th Century. Once a breakwater was built in San Pedro, freight ports in Redondo Beach and the Long Wharf were pretty much doomed. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection.
Map from 1912 of the Pacific Electric Railway. The Air Line, the forerunner to Expo, is highlighted in blue. In 1908, Southern Pacific leased the railroad line and the wharf to Los Angeles Pacific, which electrified the portion between Sentous -- east of Culver City -- and the Long Wharf. The remainder of the line was electrified three years later. Photo: Special Collections, UCLA's Young Research Library.
Santa Monica Air Line, 1940. Photo via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
Jim Stubchaer took this photo looking over the motorman's shoulder while riding the Air Line in the late 1940s. Photo courtesy Jim Stubchaer; click on the photo to visit his website.
This was a fan trip taken along the Santa Monica Air Line in 1950. Photo by Alan Weeks, via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
A Pacific Electric car in Culver City in 1950. Photo via Metro Library and Transportation Archive.
Air Line Excursion Car 5028 heading east on Exposition Boulevard in front of USC in 1953. Photo by Alan Weeks, via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
Westbound Santa Monica Air Line at Jefferson & Main Street in 1953. The above photo was taken on a part of the alignment no longer being used by trains -- it's east of the 110 freeway and the old right-of-way can clearly be seen on Google Maps. Photo by Alan Weeks via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
The Santa Monica Air Line, near Crenshaw Boulevard in 1953. Photo by Alan Weeks, via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
The Pacific Electric on part of the alignment that will be used in the second phase of the Expo Line between Culver City and Santa Monica. Photo courtesy of Friends 4 Expo Transit.
A freight train at Venice and Robertson in the 1980s; the line was abandoned shortly thereafter. Photo by Darrell Clarke, via Expo Line's Facebook page.
In 1991, transit officials proposed an electrified busway for the then unused Exposition rail right-of-way. Second from right is Art Leahy, now Metro's CEO. The busway never happened and activists continued to push for light rail along the right-of-way. Photo by Alan Weeks via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
Alternatives considered in a 2000 study on transit options in the Expo Line area. Light rail along the old rail right-of-way eventually prevailed.
The old tracks at 2nd Avenue -- obviously before construction began. Photo by Darrell Clarke, via Expo Line's Facebook page.
This is what the alignment looked like in 2007 near La Cienega -- at this point it had been 20 years since freight trains used the tracks. Photo by Alan Weeks via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
Work on the La Cienega station in August, 2010. Photo by Steve Hymon/Metro.
Night-time work on the junction at Washington and Flower where the Blue Line and Expo Line tracks converge. Photo by Expo Line Construction Authority.
Another view of work on the junction in 2010. Photo by Expo Line Construction Authority.
A great view of the new rail bridge over Ballona Creek, just west of the La Cienega/Jefferson station. Photo by Darrell Clarke, via Expo Line's Facebook page.
Clearance testing along Flower Street in 2011. Photo by Alan Weeks, via Metro Transportation Library and Archive.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announces the opening of the Expo Line on the La Cienega/Jefferson platform last month. Photo by Metro.
An Expo train at La Cienega/Jefferson station with the downtown L.A. skyline in the distance. On clear days, the platform at La Cienega and La Brea offer views of Mt. Baldy and the San Gabriel Mountains. Photo by Steve Hymon/Metro.
Elevated portion of the Expo Line, Culver City. Photo by Joel Epstein/Metro.
A rendering of the Expo Phase 2 tracks in the trench just east of Overland Avenue. Phase 2 is now under construction and has a completion date of late 2015. Rendering: Expo Line Construction Authority.
Categories: History, Inside Metro, Projects
Tagged as: Air Line, Culver City, Expo Line, Long Wharf, Los Angeles & Independence Railroad, Pacific Electric Red Car, San Pedro, Santa Monica, Santa Monica Air Line, Southern Pacific
Expo opening day celebrations
Metro issues response to FTA letter on civil rights compliance
I grew up here so I can't wait to share this ride with my friends. Be so nice if you guys bring back the old cars like those that now run on the "F Market" in San Francisco
Curt Harper says:
i can't wait til it opens up!
Morris I. Warren says:
The black-and-white photographs show that the predecessor rail lines had only a SINGLE track for running trains in both directions! Interestingly, this original right-of-way easily accommodates TWO tracks for the Expo Line!
Waldemar Centeno says:
What is the exact time the ExpoLine will be open to the public on the 28th?
Steve Hymon says:
5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Bruce Rowe says:
Does the Expo Line leave Union station? When you get to the last stop, what connection would someone make to get to Sepulveda and Wilshire to get to the Federal Building?
Larr says:
Nobody has answered your questions from the 25th so here are some answers. From Union Station you will have to take the subway to 7th St /Metro Center where you can change to Expo. At the last stop of Expo, for now, the best way to the Federal Building would be to take the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Line 12 heading for UCLA / Westwood and get off at Westwood and Wilshire and walk a few blocks west. Hope this helps.
Larr
OOPS. Got ahead of myself and realized maybe you meant the last station which for now is at La Cienega. The directions I just posted wont work until Culver City opens. For now you would exit Expo at La Cienega and take the 105 or 705 north on La Cienega to Wilshire and then change to the 20 or 720. Exit at Westwood and walk a few blocks west.
Nick and Aitite says:
Very nice article. My grampa and me love it. Cannot wait for tomorrow. Nick N.
Expo Line grand opening at noon hour on Friday | LA News Talk Radio says:
[…] blog The Source has nice features on photos from the train line that became Expo through history, and on a man who has been advocating for the train line for 22 […]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl