Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
Reality television often serves as an unexpected source of inspiration, even for gadget reviews. While indulging in holiday cookies and watching a reunion episode of Netflix’s The Ultimatum, what seemed like another hour of predictable reality TV drama took a turn towards the technologically intriguing. During the episode, cast member Zaina Sesay unveiled a 21st-century twist to a dispute, showcasing a smart nail chip as proof. This sparked an unexpected exploration into the world of NFC nail chips and wearable technology.
Unveiling the Smart Nail Chip: Proof in Polish
“I possess text message verification,” Sesay declared, a smirk playing on her lips as she gestured host Nick Lachey closer. “Contained within my nail is a microchip.”
The camera then zoomed in on the minuscule chip embedded in her nail. Upon scanning with a smartphone, a folder labeled “receipts” materialized on screen. This revelation shifted the mood entirely, turning mundane viewing into captivated attention as the studio audience and online viewers reacted with astonishment.
Thus, the inspiration for a gadget review emerged from the unlikeliest of places: reality television.
$20
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The Good
- Affordable
- Inconspicuous
- Compatible with Apple Shortcuts
The Bad
- Not suitable for submersion in hot tubs
- Feels gimmicky in everyday scenarios
- Data storage feature proved non-functional
Hands-on with the Jakcom N3 Smart Nail Chip
Locating the smart nail chip for review proved straightforward, primarily because Sesay publicly shared a video detailing the specific chip she purchased and its setup process. The Jakcom N3 Smart Nail Chip is available in sets of five, ten, and twenty, priced around $20, $36, and $60 respectively. While the listed retail price may be higher, during a three-month testing period, these chips consistently appeared to be discounted. Functionally, the chip utilizes near-field communication (NFC) technology, the same system enabling contactless payment methods, to transmit data to a smartphone.
The reality of a tech journalist’s life differs significantly from that of a reality TV personality. While both might involve collecting evidence, there’s little chance a tech reviewer would dramatically declare, “THE PROOF IS IN THE POLISH!” while brandishing a chip-implanted fingernail.
This naturally leads to the question: what practical applications does a smart nail chip offer for the average person?
Exploring Functionality and Everyday Uses
To understand its utility, it’s important to define an NFC nail chip. Essentially, it’s a small square that adheres to the nail, enabling actions via smartphone taps. In testing, it was used to subtly send text messages during meetings. Commuting on public transport became slightly more convenient, enabling pre-ordering coffee. Less practically, it could also be used for whimsical purposes, like playing theme music during lighthearted arguments. However, effective use hinges on quick and dependable scanning, without the chip detaching from the nail.
Jakcom’s standard settings allow users to program links to social media profiles, contact details, e-commerce platforms, and digital payment services. Additionally, it includes rudimentary “functions” such as a basic notepad, generic daily horoscopes, and a cycle tracker. Data storage up to 128GB was advertised, functioning akin to a wireless drive, though this feature remained unreliable during testing.
Attachment Challenges and Practicality Concerns
Before fully exploring the chip’s capabilities, an initial challenge surfaced: secure attachment. Given the known fragility of nail polish and artificial nails, ensuring the chip’s adherence became a primary concern.
Scanning Challenges and User Experience
Scanning the NFC nail chip isn’t as intuitive as standard contactless interactions. A common issue encountered was user unfamiliarity with smartphone NFC antenna locations. For instance, many iPhone users incorrectly assumed the antenna was near the camera, while it’s actually along the top edge. Android placement varies. This often led to awkward attempts to scan, followed by questions about the chip’s utility compared to simply sharing information directly.
After three months of consistent testing, successful scans reached approximately 95 percent. Achieving this level of reliability involved considerable expense, adhesive, and a somewhat excessive dedication to the experiment, occasionally prompting self-doubt. Similar to nail care in general, proper preparation and careful application are crucial for optimal performance.
Each chip measures a flexible 5mm square with a thickness of 0.12mm, including its adhesive. Despite its small size, application can still be cumbersome.
Jakcom’s provided guidelines suggest two application methods:
- Adhere the chip to a natural nail and cover with standard nail polish.
- Apply using artificial nails, taking care to avoid adhesive contact with the chip itself.
Initial attempts using natural nails proved challenging due to nail curvature, preventing a flat application. This necessitated thick polish layers, resulting in an aesthetically displeasing, bulky nail. Brush-on adhesive with a clear top coat offered improvement, but lacked subtlety.
Subsequently, focus shifted to using artificial nails. Early results, as depicted in accompanying images, were positive. Scanning was successful, triggering NFC notifications to open links or initiate programmed shortcuts.