“In 2012, Apple will roll out Near Field Communications technology (NFC) to their devices, allowing the iPhone 5 to finally function as an e-wallet,” Ed Sutherland reports for Cult of Mac. “Big whup. Everyone’s already had that idea, even Google.”
“Here’s what will turn the mind-numbing technology into something that will blow your mind: NFC in the iPhone 5 will finally allow Apple to go live with their ambitious NFC-backed remote computing strategy which will totally blur the line between iOS devices and Macs,” Sutherland reports. “Taiwan-based industry publication DigiTimes is reporting this morning that Apple plans to support NFC next year, probably as part of a new iPhone and updated iOS. While this could boost the number of handsets offering the technology from 10 percent to more than 50 percent over the next two or three years, what’s potentially more exciting is the potential for swapping data between your iOS device and your Mac with just the wave of your hand.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
Why copy everything from your work mac to your iPhone to your home mac? And at NFC transfer speeds? Just upload the application state information to iCloud and put the data in iCloud for access from your home mac or your iPad when traveling.
Bluetooth 4.0 that already supported by many Apple devices can handle super low powerful connections, so NFC is not necessary at all.
Thus this rumour is quite ignorant; while Apple certain can build-in NFC into their devices next year, they do not have to do it in relation to the supposed functionality.
I think you’re opinion is off-target.
Apple’s has been both, publicly and secretly, pursuing RFID for the last two-years. Appleinsider has been documenting the transition for a while now.
Not to mention the myriad NFC patents Apple has acquired since 2004.
They’ve noted the job listings for a test engineer, preferably one with a PhD in RFID, and two recent job listings were seeking candidates for “Manager of Global Payment Platforms”.
“Apple seeks a candidate who will “explore new global payment initiatives and expansion,” and “research and understand global payment rules and regulations.” The position will require the employee to assist in managing partnerships with banks and payment processor, and also work with outside business partners and vendors on operational issues”
Appleinsider also reported on Apple’s prototype payment terminal for small businesses, which Apple is considering offering free of charge to kick start the transition.
Google is struggling to pull it off largely because of the lack of standardization. However, the GSM Association recently announced their intent to back a Sim-card based NFC protocol, which is favored by 45 carriers, including endorsements from ATT and Verizon.
Microsoft also stated it would offer NFC as part of their 2012 mobile phone offerings.
For you to suggest Apple should instead pursue BT4 as the platform for a global payment system is funny.
What evidence do you have contrary to the rumors that have been floating around since 2009?
I did say that Apple might very well implement NFC in their products next year. I said that this will not necessary related to suggested functionality (see the quoted parts of the article) since Bluetooth 4 is already there now.
So why exactly I am “off-target”?
Apple could use BT4 for syncronization, its fully capable, but that’s not Apple’s style. Why bother pursuing two different technology platforms when a single standard could fulfil the purpose to sync and conduct myriad transactions, beyond the financial and syncronization aspects.
I’m not an engineer, and you may know more about the subject than me, but all the evidence suggests that Apple is looking for a homebrewed global platform for financial transactions and nothing else. Apple has to develop an end-to-end solution for both enterprise and consumers and all this speculation about syncing and iCloud and Macs is just a red herring.
But, if the financial platform is synchronized with the iTunes Store then it’s reasonable Apple could use the same platform to synchronize everything anywhere all the time.
BT4 would be just another path to the same place, but without the view.
I think this so-called “line between iOS devices and Macs” will be blurred mostly for people who have poor eyesight. My guess is that most people do not need or want their iPhones to become miniature versions of their desktop Macs. Ditto for iPads as long as they continue to lack the necessary I/O ports to function as more than glorified media devices.
Bull. NFC is great. Increasing desktop functionality to iOS devices is great. Blurring the line between the two platforms will be great. Depending solely on iCloud- not great. Listening to myopic, limited thinking from you and the comments above- definitely not great. What works for the three of you doesn’t necessarily represent the practices, needs and interests of millions of others. iCloud and NFC are both great and will cover a broad range of needs together.
I agree. The line btwn the mac and mobile devices has nothing to do with morphing them together, but everything to do with syncronization.
I’m surprised at omalansky and derss’s comments. They’re not myopic, they’re just not well informed.
omalansky may be confused between morphing and syncing but the distinction is lost on non techie types. sjezebel, I suggest that the distinction is lost on millions more than on those who might.
Futhermore it is my opinion that data in the cloud necessitates a high degree of trust in both the corporations and the reliability of the miriad of subsystems that make it possible. We are not at that point of reliability yet.
And you can be sure Apple will do it right instead of a half-hearted jump-on-the-bandwagon-Google approach.
Half hearted? Pfft!
There are at least 3 people with android phones that have NFC on them Only 2 are infected with malware!
Google is struggling because they’re trying to implement Google Wallet without anyone to copy and because they’re pioneering.
There is no NFC standard, period. Couple that with the fact that they’re trying to accomplish this on a platform that is fragmenting by the minute, makes it hard to nail anything down.
Now we’re hearing talk of Android gaining in popularity so it’s becoming the defacto platform for malware! 😉 That should give small business and banks a warm fuzzy.
The first to market with a standards-based platform will be the leader. When Apple comes forward with their platform, they will have considered every conceivable pothole and loophole, not to mention its application beyond just a payment system.
Use the NFC just for verification and then wifi and the cloud automatically give you access to your content. Walk up to any mac and access all of your stuff. Could be cool.
*DANGER*DANGER*
NFC (Near Field Communications) can be very convenient. However, it is IMHO Not Ready For Prime Time. Why? Because it requires encryption in order to be SAFE.
If you’ve got NFC without working encryption, I suggest NOT using it, disabling it, putting an AFDB (Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie) around the chip, or whatever works to BLOCK IT from being activated. Otherwise you may well be wide open to have data stolen via a variety of hacker tactics.
Someday all NFC will be safe and friendly to use. But NOT right now. That is one reason Apple has stalled on using it for so long. For all I know, Apple may have solved this security hole! Let’s see…
[Hilarity: Bill Gates was touting NFC technology several years ago, ignoring as usual the security implications. :lol ]
In other news . . . leather wallets have been found to be prone to pick pockets and accidental loss from falling out of pockets. It is not true that wearing a tin foil lining in your hat will prevent these losses. Electronic theft is a tiny proportion of all thefts or loss but you should double check to see if you are paranoid enough.
It’s been further reported, cellular communications lacking encryption is subject to misuse and abuse but that doesn’t stop people from conducting online financial transactions.
What? You do online banking with your phone? I’m shocked, I tell you!
If anyone claims that they know what Apple is going to do or are reporting a plan for Apple that is more than a few days out, they are the biggest pompous liars. Not fit to reporters.