“On July 26, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published yet another extraordinary patent application from Apple that reveals new details regarding Apple’s future iPhone-NFC controls system. Our report mainly focuses on the new system as it relates to an iDevice controlling and interacting with a possible standalone television in addition to an expanded version of Apple’s current Apple TV styled device,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“The updated Apple TV could one day control cable or satellite television programming and video game play via a video game controller,” Purcher reports. “This would really be a boost for Apple if users were able to play high end RPG video styled games with a standard styled controller. Further, Apple’s invention runs deep and they envision NFC ready iDevices being able to control standalone cameras, projectors, in-home security systems, lawn sprinkler systems, your thermostat, garage door and more.”
Purcher reports, “One of these fine days, future iDevices will finally support NFC; and when they do – watch out, because Apple will open the floodgates and release a new generation of applications noted in this report and others like their forthcoming iWallet. Will Apple’s next generation iPhone 5 finally be the one that will introduce NFC? Only time will tell.”
Much more, including Apple’s patent application illustrations and diagrams, in the full article here.
Considering that Apple just acquired AuthenTec, it’s clear that NFC is going to be as huge as noted in this patent report.
This is my future. Aside from the dread of letting the computer guys just walk in here and, my iDevice will bring a smile to my face each evening as I lay in bed shutting down the house.
What about Insteon / Indigo?
No need to wait for apple , you can get everything you need to automate your house and control it from your iOS device today.
Every manufacturer of home automation hardware offers iOS software or interfaces.
No one here is really infatuated with home automation, just the thought of it. The practical implementation always leaves a lot to be desired.
I agree on the implementation. It is also a bit ridiculous to pay $50 for a light switch!
I have a four zone furnace/ac. It has a Honeywell setup that sends wireless signals to open to open the various zone controllers. I just works.
X10 has been around for ages.
Doesn’t NFC require very close proximity to work?
What part of near don’t you understand? 🙂
Sorry, but you make it easy?
I think he means if you have to stand 1-2 feet away from an appliance to turn it on/off, what would be the point.
Repeaters. Repeat after me, repeaters.
Probably the part where you claim you’ll shut down your house from your bedroom using this technology, when the N in NFC means either “touching” or “within a few centimeters.”
Unless you’re a very tiny person living in a 1 room doll-house, with all these devices at arm’s reach, I share Cubert’s confusion. I also think you’re being a bit of a prat. Looks like I’m not alone.
That was exactly my point. If its range is so short that you need to be within a few feet (or even closer), the premise makes no sense – even repeaters wouldn’t work. Will they build them into the studs of the wall?
No, see, this is the part where you get schooled. You can’t imagine doing with an iDevice what we all do each night before we go to bed using NFC, because you already think you know what NFC as evidenced by your first paragraph, and then contradict yourself in the next.
abcd already mentioned X10, another standard to which NFC will find a home where encryption will be necessary for select tasks, like voting and registering firearms, and yes, setting the alarms.
NFC will validate too.
An interesting take on Apple’s success.
http://beta.fool.com/jaans/2012/07/22/understanding-apple-2-success-o-v-f/7443/