Need help? You might find the answer to your question below or you can contact us .
What is Poken?
Poken is the name of the compnay but also an NFC (Near Field Communication) device that allows you to collect and exchange digital information in the real world.
You can use poken to:
- Collect and share digital business cards with others
- Collect digital information from smart tags about the things you like
- Check into meetings and sessions
What is NFC?
NFC (near field communication) is a short-range wireless technology that enable two devices to securely exchange small amounts of data when they are placed a few centimeters apart.
NFC has many different uses. It can be used, for example, to transfer files between devices with a touch, to collect multimedia information from kiosks, for electronic money integration with prepaid cards, and for electronic public transport ticketing.
I have an upcoming event. Can I use Poken?
That is great. We would love to help you drive engagement, boost networking and share digital content at your event. Simply contact us and one of our dedicated team members will get back to you shortly.
How much does Poken cost?
All events and conferences have different needs. We work closely with our clients to create a custom package to achieve the results they desire. This means no Poken package is ever the same. For a quote based upon your event, contact us.
Where can I find a local distributor in my country?
Poken currently has offices in Europe, United Kingdom, North America, South and Central America, Africa and the Middle East. Feel free to get in contact with us and someone from your local region will get in touch with you.
Is there an A.P.I.?
We have a strong application programming interface (a.p.i.) which is currently available by request. If you're interested in it please send us an email at api@poken.com providing us your name, details about your company and of course your needs regarding the use of our A.P.I.
How to use poken?
Before using poken, you need to check if the device is active or not. If you see a tiny piece of plastic sticking out of the USB end of the poken hand, pull out this plastic, and you will see a light flashing at the wrist of the hand – your poken has been activated and is now ready to be used. You can poken, meaning connect to other pokens right away after activating your poken.
How do I poken with someone?
Pokening with someone, meaning exchanging your social business card data with another person, is very easy. Both of you should hold onto the body of the poken so that the other half of the poken, its hand, is free. Both pokens need to ‘look' at each other. Put the two poken hands together for about 2 seconds without moving. this should already be enough to exchange contacts. You can check whether you have pokened successfully by taking the pokens apart again after the 2 second ‘touch'. If there is a green light glowing in both poken hands, you have pokened! The green light continues to glow for about 5 seconds, so you shouldn't miss it.
How do two pokens exchange data?
The poken devices use a proprietary RF (radio frequency) communication interface. This interface was designed to use very low energy both in standby as well as whilst transmitting data.
What information is stored on the poken device?
There is no personal information stored on your poken. The only thing contained in your poken is a random number we call a "poken ID" and some encrypted codes that relate to other poken you've pokened.
How many contacts can be stored on a poken?
Your poken can store 400+ contacts. Each time you successfully poken the little palm will glow green.
Is there additional storage space on the poken USB stick I can use?
No, poken does not have additional storage – it is read-only. A 1GB key is simulated, but in reality the key contains 16KB of memory, and these KB are used to store your pokened contacts and the firmware.
Does the poken run on battery?
Yes, the poken runs on a Lithium CR1632 battery. Due to the low cost of a poken, it is not possible to use rechargeable batteries.
How long does the battery last?
In regular use, your poken's battery should last approximately 12 to 24 months depending on how much the device is being used.
How do I upload my contacts from the poken onto my computer?
The USB connector of your poken lets you easily upload your new contacts to your poken account. It is recognized by all computers as a standard USB memory stick with a few files on it. You do not need to install any software on your computer. You only need to plug your poken into a computer that is connected to the web. Depending on the OS (operating system) that you use (Mac OS, Windows, Linux) the "POKEN.HTM" may or may not launch automatically. If not, simply double-click the "POKEN.HTM" file that appears on the poken drive.
What are the minimum required specs for a Mac or PC to use poken?
Operating system:
Windows 7
Mac OS X 10.4 or newer
Linux
Browser:
Internet Explorer 9+
Firefox 30+
Safari 3+
Chrome
Javascript enabled
Cookies enabled
How can I lock a poken if it is lost/stolen?
If you have lost your poken or if it has been stolen, you have the possibility to ‘lock' it in your account and it will no longer be accessible. Go to ‘devices'. Press the blue ‘mark lost' button, and it will be locked. you may also write a message to the person who finds it. Don't forget to add your email or phone number as a way to contact you. You can activate and de-activate the device as many times as you want.
How do I customize my poken business card?
Differentiate yourself from the masses, give your poken card a totally personalized look! A minimum should be that you upload a picture, so that your new contacts will be able to identify you easily. Go to 'cards' and you will find the blue 'edit card' button there. Click on 'change' beneath the foto icon, and you will be able to upload a photo directly from the web or from your computer.
If you'd like to personalize the background of the card or the font colour, go to 'cards' once again, click on the blue 'edit card' button, and you will find the blue 'edit design' button here.
How can I find a specific contact?
Finding a specific contact is very easy. In the 'dashboard' section of your poken account, go to the 'contact list' box and start typing the name into the white 'filter' box.
How do I associate my poken with my already existing account?
It is very easy to add your poken to your account. Just enter the poken device into your USB port. Depending on your computer settings, either a web browser window opens automatically and you can log into your poken account directly. Or the web browser does not automatically appear – then you have to double-click the "POKEN.html" file that appears on the poken drive. Once you logged into your poken account as you usually do, the new poken device is automatically linked to it.
How can I connect multiple pokens to one account?
It is very easy to add another poken to your account. Just enter the poken device into your USB port. Depending on your computer settings, either a web browser window opens automatically and you can log into your poken account directly. Or the web browser does not automatically appear – then you have to double-click the "POKEN.htm" file that appears on the poken drive. Once you logged into your poken account as you usually do, the new poken device is automatically linked to it. You can check the different poken that are linked to your account under ‘devices'. The number of poken you can link to your account is not limited, you can add as many as you like!
My poken doesn't connect to my poken account
In order to make sure that your poken connects to your poken account and uploads all the new contacts you have collected while pokening, you have to insert your poken into the USB drive on your computer. Either a web browser window opens automatically and you can log into your poken account directly. Or if a web browser does not automatically appear, make sure you double-click the "POKEN.htm" file that appears on the poken drive.
I have lost my poken? What happens to my data?
By default you will be prompted to provide your password each time you insert your poken into your computer. If someone else plugs your poken into their USB port, without your password they cannot do anything with it. Even the contacts you've accumulated in your poken are safe: they are encrypted using a very advanced encryption method and are only accessible in your account. Furthermore, since you've already uploaded your previous contacts, your data is safe and sound. Additionally, under 'devices' in your poken account, you can mark your poken as lost and write a message to whomever finds it and plugs it into their computer.
The people I pokened with don't appear in my 'contacts' list
There can be two reasons for this to happen: either you have not properly pokenend/connected with the other poken and have thus not exchanged or your poken is not connected to your account in order to update your ‘contacts' list.
Can I download my virtual business cards to my computer?
Yes, you can download all your contacts you have on your poken account to vCard. Once you log in to your pokenHUB, you'll find the link to download all contacts in the 'contact list' box. Right below 'poken friends' is the blue 'download vCard' button.