Samsung TecTiles usher in internet of things

Samsung announced a new product known as "TecTiles" -- sticker-like tags that help your smartphone interact with the real world. Near field communication (NFC) is close-range wireless technology responsible for key tags used to unlock doors in apartment buildings and mobile payment cards that don't need to be swiped. Using NFC, programmable TecTiles allow users to configure smartphone actions to be executed when near one of these stickers -- for only $3 apiece. The possibilities are endless: have your phone switch to bluetooth when you get in the car, check in on Foursquare when you pick up Chinese food, and update a Facebook status when you get home from work.