Tikitag RFID system (or CueCat 2008)

Have you heard of Tikitag? I first saw it at ShowStoppers in NYC and it officially launched on the 1st of October. No, it has nothing to do with tikis.

It’s a RFID system. You get RFID stickers, you put them on stuff, and then you place the tag near or on a reader connected to your computer. Your computer will do some pre-programmed action like open a website, play music or whatever.

It’s almost a good idea. The problem is they are marketing it directly to consumers. They want you to tag a picture, send the picture to your grandma and then your grandma will swipe the picture to the reader and the computer will open a Flickr slideshow or something else.

I just don’t see it taking it off with average consumers. I understand the tag on business cards sending the recipient of the card to some official page like your LinkedIn profile or your company’s website. That also assumes that the business person you are speaking to is somewhat tech savvy.

I understand if Amazon builds the technology into books or DVDs or whatever. But getting the consumer to connect a peripheral to get more data? This sounds like that Radio Shack CueCat barcode scanner. Here is a quote about the CueCat:

“You have to wonder about a business plan based on the notion that people want to interact with a soda can,” while Debbie Barham of the Evening Standard quipped that the CueCat “fails to solve a problem which never existed.”

The CueCat was a barcode scanner given away for free at Radio Shack. You would take the CueCat and scan barcodes that appeared in ads and other things. It never took off.

I have a feeling we will see the same kind of statement from people about Tikitag. Tikitag’s own website says “Tikitag is an Alcatel-Lucent venture that will build the internet of things.” What does that even mean?

As a geek, I totally get the concept. I swipe my wristwatch over the scanner and then all of my favorite applications launch. My colleague, JG Mason, wants something smarter.

Is swiping a tag any better than pushing a button? He wants a sensor that can do commands based on proximity. Either way, neither one of us think this will be a hit with the general public.

Company site: [Tikitag.com]
Those Who Forget History Are Doomed to Repeat It: [CueCat]