The iPhone 5 is likely to have NFC (Near Field Communication) technology built-in, letting its users use the smartphone as a digital wallet for paying for goods. NFC already exists in smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Nokia 808 PureView, but with backing from Apple the technology could really take off.
Apple news site 9to5Mac claims to have pulled some information via an iPhone 5 prototype of sorts that suggests NFC will feature in the next iPhone.
The site has previously posted photos said to reveal the design of the next iPhone, with a taller screen, and a mini dock connector. The site also believes those models will use NFC, to possibly tie-in with Apple’s new PassBook app.
PassBook was recently revealed at Apple’s WWDC event. PassBook stores all iPhone owners tickets, passes, vouchers, loyalty cards and more in one place. PassBook will also display vouchers, that you can scan at various venues offering services and products to take advantage of the latest offers.
Apple developed PassBook with the ability to work without NFC. The app will be available as part of iOS 6, but it is thought that NFC will play a major role in the app going forward.
Jim Peters, CTO of communications specialist SITA claims it will have huge repercussions. on the way we all use our smartphones.
“Opinion is that Apple is going to incorporate NFC into Passbook,” he said. “There aren’t any transactions in it yet, but I think that’s how Apple is going to sneak up on the industry. They are going to get people used to using it and then all of a sudden they will allow credit cards to be used in there, on the next iPhone, which will include NFC.”
By the end of the year the majority of smartphones that you go and buy will have NFC on them. If in October the next iPhone comes out and it has NFC on it, it’s game over.”
In fact NFC can be available on any device. Barclaycard recently launched its PayTag scheme that sends NFC-enabled stickers to users to stick onto their smartphone, letting them pay for goods up the the value of £20.
Would you use Wallet services through NFC on your iPhone? Let us know your thoughts. After all, we could all be using NFC very soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment