Tikitag, a service that enables the launching of online applications by touching a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or (NFC) device like a cellphone to an item tagged with an RFID Chip, has launched in India. The Belgian company is backed by Alcatel-Lucent Ventures, and is fairly unique in what they're trying to do: How it works What's interesting about Tikitag is that it is a do-it-yourself RFID kit: you don't need a massive infrastructure deployment. The startup kit costs around $49.95 (we're not sure if there will be a markup/import duty in case of India), and includes a reader which may be attached to a computer and 10 RFID tags to stick to devices. So you just need to swipe the tag over the reader (or the other way around) to launch one of the many applications like a GMail login, System Shut Down, Business Card (possibly competing with QR Codes at some level). The Tikitag service is fairly new - the open beta was launched as recently as October 2008, and they probably are eying India because, well, of the mobile phone market that it is made out to be. Tikitag's advantage lies if the fact that it is interoperable, and can be used (apparently) with any NFC or RFID reader. But that is where the problem lies: The Market, The Timing There just aren't enough NFC/RFID readers in India, so the possiblities for Tikitag are limited until a handset manufacturer installs it, and a retail infrastructure is deployed.…
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