Abstract: A wireless communications system may include a first electronic device comprising a first media content playback device, a first wireless transceiver, and a first controller coupled with the first media content playback device and the first wireless transceiver. The system may further include a second electronic device comprising a second media content playback device, a second wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless transceiver, and a second controller coupled with the second media content playback device and the second wireless transceiver. The first controller may be configured to generate a playback pointer associated with playback of given media content, and wirelessly communicate the playback pointer to the second controller. The second controller may be configured to play back the given media content based upon the playback pointer, and without receiving the given media content from the first electronic device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a near-field communication (NFC) circuit carried by the portable housing and being switchable between first NFC mode and a second NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC circuit and configured to switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a first frequency based upon a first triggering event, and switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a second frequency lower than the first frequency based upon a second triggering event different than the first triggering event.

Abstract: NFC-capable systems and devices, and related methods, for controlling operation of an NFC-capable mobile device are disclosed. Through NFC communication, the NFC-capable mobile device detects a load associated with a surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined sustained intensity of the load, the NFC-capable mobile device triggers operation of a camera of the NFC-capable mobile device to capture an image of the surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined correspondence of the captured image with stored image data, the NFC-capable mobile device executes a device control command, such as to control some aspect of the NFC-capable mobile device based on the detected surface, which may be part of a holster for holstering the NFC-capable mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a near field communication (NFC) transceiver and a controller coupled with the NFC transceiver. The controller may be configured to receive tag data from at least one NFC tag when in close proximity thereto via the NFC transceiver, verify the tag data, and when the tag data is successfully verified, perform at least one device unlock operation. The controller may be further configured to determine whether the tag data should be changed based on a predetermined schedule, and if it is determined that the tag data should be changed, communicate with the at least one NFC tag to change the tag data.

Abstract: A communication system may include a server configured to provide data access based upon an authenticated logon, and a computer configured to access the server to receive a temporary authenticated logon identification (ID) for the server. The communication system may further include a mobile wireless communications device including a housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, a sensor carried by the housing, and a controller carried by the housing, the controller being coupled to the wireless transceiver and the sensor. The controller may be configured to cause the sensor to wirelessly retrieve the temporary authenticated logon ID from the computer, and cause the wireless transceiver to wirelessly communicate logon data to the server for providing data access via the computer based upon the temporary authenticated logon ID.

Abstract: A handheld electronic communication device includes a plurality of text entry keys arranged in a keyfield. A user navigates among alphabetic selections shown on a display by moving his fingers across keys lying within a navigation travel region and other wise generally used to effect text entry into the device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a near field communication (NFC) device operable in a first NFC mode or a second NFC mode, wherein the second NFC mode has a lower power consumption level associated therewith than the first NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a processor coupled with the NFC device and capable of detecting a field change via the NFC device when the NFC device is in the second NFC mode, determining a condition of the mobile communications device, and switching the NFC device from the second NFC mode to the first NFC mode based upon the field change and the condition.

Abstract: A communications system may include a holder, a first near-field communication (NFC) device carried by the holder, and a mobile device. The mobile device may include a housing configured to be removably positioned within the holder, a second NFC device carried by the housing and configured to communicate with the first NFC device via NFC communications, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled to the second NFC device. The controller may be configured to operate the second NFC device to scan for the first NFC device in a first mode when the housing is removed from the holder, and operate the second NFC device in a second mode based upon communication with the first NFC device when the housing is positioned within the holder, where the second mode has a lower power consumption level associated therewith than the first mode.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch associated with an edge of a display of an electronic device, identifying a navigation device function associated with the touch, and performing the navigation device function.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID.

Abstract: A mobile communications device may include a near field communication (NFC) transceiver capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode, where the NFC transceiver has a load threshold level associated therewith. The mobile communications device may further include a controller coupled with the NFC transceiver. The controller may be capable of switching the NFC transceiver to the first mode when a load detected by the NFC transceiver is below the load threshold level, and switching the NFC transceiver to the second mode when the load detected by the NFC transceiver reaches the load threshold level.

Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of NFC devices each including a housing, a power source carried by the housing, at least one input device carried by the housing and assigned to a designated device function, an NFC circuit configured to wirelessly communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and a processor. The processor may be configured to initiate the designated device function based upon a first input pattern of the at least one input device, switch the NFC circuit between a higher power state and a lower power state at a first frequency, the NFC circuit in the higher power state being configured to generate an RF field to initiate NFC communications, and switch the NFC circuit between the higher and lower power states at a second frequency based upon a second input pattern of the input device(s) different from the first input pattern.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products for making and writing data to NFC-enabled “smart” posters, and posters made in accordance therewith.

Abstract: Systems (100), methods (400), devices (110, 120, 1006, 952), and computer programming products for improved navigation inside buildings and in other locations, using both passive and active NFC-capable devices, in conjunction with inertial and/or magnetic devices (8242, 8134, 8135).

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products for NFC-enabled sharing of data files stored by networked computing resources, according to a variety of selectable criteria.

Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of NFC devices each including an NFC circuit configured to wirelessly communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and a processor coupled to the NFC circuit. The processor may be configured to synchronize an internal timing signal to an external timing signal, cycle power to the NFC circuit to periodically switch the NFC circuit between a peer-to-peer recognition state and a low power state based upon the synchronized internal timing signal, and initiate peer-to-peer NFC communications with another one of the plurality of NFC devices when in range thereof and upon being switched to the peer-to-peer recognition state therewith.

Abstract: A meeting room reservation system may include at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor to be positioned adjacent a meeting room, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices, each configured for RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor. The system may further include a reservation server configured to schedule reserved starting and ending times for the meeting room, track checked-in mobile wireless communications devices based upon RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor, and send at least one reservation expiration notification based upon a reserved ending time and a subsequent check-in of another mobile wireless communications device.

Abstract: A mobile computing device may include an interface device, a near field communication (NFC) device, and a processor coupled with the interface device and the NFC device. The processor may be capable of detecting proximity of an encasement based upon the NFC device, and changing an operational mode of the interface device based upon detecting the proximity of the encasement.

Abstract: A public address system is set forth, comprising at least one wireless mobile communication device; a sound system; and a back-end system for selectively receiving a wireless signal from the wireless mobile communication device and transmitting the signal to the sound system for broadcast.