Trying to buy the disk shaped FloJack

[FrancoisParticipant]

Hello,

I am trying to buy the disk shaped FloJack that I saw in the news with the audio jack, but in the picture while checking out it looks like I am buying the ACR35?? Also, I want to make sure whatever I buy, that it works. Does the disk shaped one work?

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey Francois, yes the FloJack v2 that we currently sell is our OEMed version of the ACR35. We can sell you a FloJack v1 but we don’t provide an SDK that works with iOS7+ so it will be up to your to develop that functionality if you need it (some people have done so). On the other hand, the FloJack v2 works out-of-the-box with the latest iOS and Android OSs. We preload our private keys on the FloJack v2 such that it runs our suite of apps (more to be released). These apps, in contrast, will not run on the ACR35.

[FrancoisParticipant]

thanks for the quick reply. I cant imagine the code would be drastically different?? (reading and writing sound files.. is it a different protocol or something? pulse-coded vs space coded vs manchester?)..

As long as it is reliable, then I am probably ok with v1. It is just smaller and more compact which fits my needs more. Is the power harvested from the phone jack? Or does it need external power.

[RichardKeymaster]

The FloJack v1 and the FloJack v2 (ACR35) were spawned off of the same open source project, HiJack, however there are a couple different ways to communicate over the audio jack. We rigged a hardware UART to the mic (TX) and right-channel (RX) so have to do Manchester decoding/encoding on the iOS side. The folks from ACS went with an FSK method but the explicit details of their implementation are closed source.

The v1 and v2 hardware is definitely reliable, the issue is with getting the software to work well with it. We got v1 working really well with iOS6 but iOS7 made thing perform inconsistently. It was a big effort to get iOS6 to work so that’s why we opt to move to BLE for a more predictable user experience going forward. Both FloJacks (v1 and v2) rely on a battery to work. It’s a common mistake to expect that audio jack peripherals are able to harvest sufficient energy to do drive NFC functionality. The reality is that NFC transceivers can draw as much as 100mA peak current. We designed a low power sniffer circuit that allowed for us to bring that down to only 30uA stead state which would be inline with energy harvesting over audio jack but as soon as you interrogate tags back to back, there’s no super-cap that we could practically put in the design that would cover the depletion.

So in the end, the best option was a coin cell battery. In contrast, the ACR35 uses a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery.

[MattParticipant]

Hi Richard,
It seems all the issues are relating to IOS 7+, can the SDK and the disk be used on Android 4.4?

I am very keen to order some of the disk Flojacks, how could I go about that?

Thanks,

[MattParticipant]

Bump
Pretty keen to get these ordered ASAP. Looking for approx 150 units.

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Matt, sorry for the delay. I’m hesitant to support the FloJack v1 because we don’t have the staff to divert to that development right now. Everyone the team is working on more revenue generating initiatives. 150 units is a sizable order though so if you’re willing to make a deposit towards this order, then we can reprioritize the work.

[MattParticipant]

Thanks Richard, I would need a couple ASAP to verify the test case – this should take no longer than 1 day to implement. Once I can verify all is well. I am more than happy to secure a deposit.

I do have a deadline of mid Jan. Can this be met for the lot of 150?
How soon could I get one/two shipped out?

Thanks

[RichardKeymaster]

That’s an aggressive time frame given the holidays. What’s the use case? Why is the FloJack v2 not suitable?

[MattParticipant]

Yes very, I might be able to stretch to late Jan.
Enabling NFC on 150 Android Tablets for reading Mifare ultralight tags.
Disk is much more suited as of its size, looking about building a custom “case” that would also support the Flojack, giving a overall look of a self contained unit.

Flojack 2 is much larger and there is no need for a mag stripe reader.
But, that being said, could you support that quantity mid – late Jan of the Flojack2?

[MattParticipant]

The case would be very much like your original idea of containing the NFC Bandaid into a clip on case for the nexus 7.

[RichardKeymaster]

Ok, I understand now. So here are some details that may help your decision along:

• The FloBLE uses the same design as the FloJack v1, so can be made to fit into the smaller form factor at the expense of battery size and read performance (smaller the scan surface, the smaller the tags that can be read).
• The FloJack v2 is also available without the MagStripe reader but because of economies of scale it’s more expensive and so we don’t advertise it. It would cost $69.99/each and look like this:
  
• The FloJack v2 (with and without MagStripe) has been through volume production, have been battle tested in the field, and are rechargeable (via microUSB cable). It’s possible to fit it inside another case but not recommended as it’s performance can be undermined. The physics of the NFC interface can be affected based on the over molding material.

I’m certain we can get you FloJack v2s before late January if we complete your order by Friday, December 19th, 2015. Our discount schedule for these products follows:

• Buy 25 save 7%
• Buy 50 save 10%
• Buy 100 save 19%
• Buy 500 save 25%
• Buy 1000 save 31%

So for 150 FloJack v2s with MagStripe would total $7,288.79 (you save $1,709.72) and FloJack v2s without MagStripe would total $8,503.79 (you save $1,994.72). Shipping and handling would be $120 via DHL next day service.

[MattParticipant]

Thanks for the detailed response.
Friday (tomorrow) is not achievable, as I need to get a test unit before committing.

If I get you an order before 28th December, how soon could you deliver?
Could I get some ordered for testing as a priority?

Can you tell me about the battery life. Rechargeable is not ideal, we would love to just swap the battery out, but can defiantly live with it. How long does it take to change and how many reads could you get out of it?

Another avenue, would you consider remaking the plastic mould its in for this order quantity? The goal is to make it a more consistent look and feel with the tablet, so its not an attached accessory, its more of a contained feature, just like the tablet, all housed in a thin clip on case.

(Shipping is to Sydney Australia FYI)

[MattParticipant]

Bump.
Could we take this private?
Want to ensure this investment would be of your interest, whilst securing some commitment for delivery.

Very keen to make a deal before Christmas.

• This reply was modified 10 years ago by  Matt.

[MattParticipant]

Bump

[MattParticipant]

Bump. Please?

[Author]

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