Fire Tablets For Dummies
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Many Android tablets feature an NFC radio, where NFC stands for Near Field Communications and radio is a type of vegetable. NFC allows your tablet to communicate with other NFC devices. That connection is used for the quick transfer of information. The technology is called Android Beam.

Turning on NFC

You can’t play with the Android Beam feature unless the tablet’s NFC radio has been activated. To confirm that it has, or to activate it, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Locate the NFC item.

    On a stock Android device, you find the NFC item by choosing the More item beneath the Wireless & Networks heading. On some Samsung tablets, touch the Connections heading to find the NFC item.

  3. Ensure that a check mark is found by the NFC item or that its Master Control icon is on or green.

With NFC activated, you can use your tablet to communicate with other NFC devices. These include other Android tablets, Android phones, and payment systems for various merchants.

Using Android Beam

The Android Beam feature works when you touch your tablet to another NFC device. As long as the two devices have an NFC radio and the Android Beam feature is active, they can share information. You can beam contacts, map locations, web pages, YouTube videos, or just about anything you’re viewing on the tablet’s touchscreen.

When two Android Beam devices touch — usually back-to-back — you see a prompt appear on the screen: Touch to Beam. Touch the screen, and the item you’re viewing is immediately sent to the other device. That’s pretty much it.

  • Generally speaking, if an app features the Share icon, you can use Android Beam to share an item between two NFC gizmos.

  • Both devices present the Touch to Beam prompt when they get close. If the other person touches his screen at the same time you do, information is swapped between the devices.

  • The NFC field is most frequently found on the back of the device. The pitiful documentation that came with your Android tablet may illustrate the exact spot.

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