Want to feel like a spy? Stick a smart chip in your manicure

The Verge - Mar 27th, 2025

Reality TV took an unexpected turn when Zaina Sesay showcased an NFC smart nail chip during a reunion episode, capturing the attention of viewers and igniting a tech trend. This innovative use of near-field communication (NFC) technology allows data transmission through a tiny chip embedded in a fingernail. The chip, easily purchasable online, can store and send information discreetly to a smartphone, functioning as a contactless tool for personal and professional use. Cast member Zaina demonstrated its potential by presenting digital 'receipts' stored on her nail, an act that resonated widely on social media platforms like TikTok.

The implications of this development are significant, as it introduces a new realm of possibilities for discreet, portable technology applications in everyday life. While the NFC nail chip can be programmed for various tasks, such as sending messages or making online purchases, its successful application requires patience and technical skill. Despite challenges in its practical use, such as securing the chip to the nail and ensuring reliable scanning, its potential for personalized, stealthy interactions makes it an attractive novelty. However, the labor-intensive setup and niche utility suggest it may remain a gimmick for tech enthusiasts and influencers rather than a mainstream adoption.

Tech Innovation Nfc Technology Zaina Sesay Netflix Reality Tv Smart Nail Chip

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging and largely accurate account of the NFC nail chip's capabilities and challenges, with a focus on personal experience. While it excels in clarity and engagement, it lacks balance and source quality due to its reliance on a single perspective without external validation. The narrative is timely and relevant to tech enthusiasts but may not have broad public interest or impact. Greater inclusion of diverse viewpoints and technical details could enhance its credibility and depth. Overall, the story is informative and entertaining, but it would benefit from more thorough research and analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of the product's potential and limitations.

Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate depiction of the NFC nail chip's functionalities, such as its use of NFC technology to transmit data and its compatibility with both Android and iOS platforms. The description of its size and application challenges is also consistent with available information. However, the article could benefit from more precise details about the chip's adherence issues and compatibility across different phone models. The mention of the chip's potential use for storing up to 128GB of data appears exaggerated, as this capability is not commonly supported by such small NFC devices.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the author's personal experience with the NFC nail chip, offering a subjective viewpoint. While it provides insights into potential uses and challenges, it lacks perspectives from other users or experts in the field. This narrow focus may lead to a skewed representation of the product's practicality and effectiveness. Including diverse opinions or testimonials could have provided a more balanced view of the chip's real-world applications.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a conversational tone that makes it accessible to a broad audience. The use of personal anecdotes and humor enhances engagement, though it occasionally detracts from the technical explanations. The narrative flows logically, but some technical details could be more explicitly defined for readers unfamiliar with NFC technology.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly reference any external sources or expert opinions, relying heavily on the author's personal testing. This limits the credibility of the information presented, as it lacks corroboration from authoritative sources. Incorporating insights from product manufacturers, tech experts, or user reviews would enhance the reliability and depth of the article's content.

Transparency

The article is transparent about the author's personal testing and experiences with the NFC nail chip, which adds authenticity to the narrative. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the testing methodology or any potential biases that may have influenced the author's perspective. Greater transparency regarding these factors would improve the article's trustworthiness.