Apple Experimenting With RFID-Enabled iPhone Prototypes?

MacRumors · Nov 5, 2009, 03:54 PM

Near Field Communications World reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple is rumored to be testing a prototype of its next-generation iPhone equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The rumor comes from a "highly reliable source" who provided the information to Einar Rosenberg, Chief Technology Officer of Narian Technologies. Rosenberg writes:

Quote:

Had to share this news. A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I'm told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.

Apple has filed several patent applications related to RFID, which uses low-power radio waves to allow devices to interact over short ranges. The technology is currently being used in a number of settings, including electronic vehicle toll and mass transit system fare collection and contactless credit card transaction implementations.

Article Link: Apple Experimenting With RFID-Enabled iPhone Prototypes?

Small White Car · Nov 5, 2009, 03:57 PM

That'd be pretty sweet.

Of course, there'll people who won't trust it, but is it any less secure than the piece of plastic in your wallet currently doing the job?

rdowns · Nov 5, 2009, 03:57 PM

Very interesting. This would put Apple way ahead of anyone, if true.

Full quote from 9to5:

Quote:

We’re not saying we’re 100 percent on the source - Near Field Communications - but we’ll relate what we’ve learned. Einar Rosenberg, who runs the Near Field Communications Group on Linkedin.com, claims as follows:

“A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I'm told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.”

doctoree · Nov 5, 2009, 04:01 PM

720p recording would be even cooler

mobi · Nov 5, 2009, 04:04 PM

It already is the "Swiss Champ"

NightFox · Nov 5, 2009, 04:08 PM

Oyster card on my iPhone? Bring it on!

Drumjim85 · Nov 5, 2009, 04:10 PM

This will bring nothing but trouble. Drivers licenses, passports, credit cards, and everything else with RFID will be more and more at risk.

Hands Sandon · Nov 5, 2009, 04:11 PM

Oh (big) brother.

This could be great but won't this be giving out too much information?

mspy · Nov 5, 2009, 04:13 PM

Interesting. I wonder how this could be used. Thoughts?

hitekalex · Nov 5, 2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hands Sandon

Oh (big) brother.

This could be great but won't this be giving out too much information?

If you're worried about that, you should get off the Internet.

SirOmega · Nov 5, 2009, 04:14 PM

Wow, this fits into the puzzle right next to the "iTunes as a payment service" and "hardened security" pieces.

TheSpaz · Nov 5, 2009, 04:15 PM

I have no idea what the heck RFID is and why we need it in an iPhone. Can anyone give an example of how this technology can be used in the iPhone?

ThunderSkunk · Nov 5, 2009, 04:15 PM

The Apocalypse!!! It's Coming!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

Chaszmyr · Nov 5, 2009, 04:16 PM

Sounds awesome to me. I will not be truly happy until my iPhone can replace both my keys and my credit card!

hitekalex · Nov 5, 2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumjim85

This will bring nothing but trouble. Drivers licenses, passports, credit cards, and everything else with RFID will be more and more at risk.

They used to say that about online banking and online shopping. Of course, using my credit card online is infinitely more secure than handing it over to a schmuck bartender at my local O'Maley's Pub.

lukashaaswasidk · Nov 5, 2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumjim85

This will bring nothing but trouble. Drivers licenses, passports, credit cards, and everything else with RFID will be more and more at risk.

yeah, bad news.

rdowns · Nov 5, 2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpaz

I have no idea what the heck RFID is and why we need it in an iPhone. Can anyone give an example of how this technology can be used in the iPhone?

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-315292.html

Drumjim85 · Nov 5, 2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitekalex

They used to say that about online banking and online shopping. Of course, using my credit card online is infinitely more secure than handing it over to a schmuck bartender at my local O'Maley's Pub.

RFID isn't secure. You can sit at a street corner with a reader and pick up people's pasport info without them knowing. Until they some how change that I'm totally against RFID.

macshill · Nov 5, 2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitekalex

They used to say that about online banking and online shopping. Of course, using my credit card online is infinitely more secure than handing it over to a schmuck bartender at my local O'Maley's Pub.

Yeah, so long as you're confident some poor schmuck doesn't click the wrong e-mail ("Dear Chase subscriber. Your account may have been compromised. Please click on this convenient link to verify your account."; notice the generic "Chase subscriber", not personalized name).

[phishing schemes]

TheIguana · Nov 5, 2009, 04:21 PM

Well having an RFID reader in the iPhone/iPod touch could simplify purchases instore if apple chipped all the products they sell.

Nuvi · Nov 5, 2009, 04:21 PM

I've worked in mobile communications RFID project. I can tell you the real application is in targeted advertising. Naturally you can do some nice and cool stuff with it but wast majority of partners are interested about the possibility of delivering targeted place of purchase advertising etc. From consumers standpoint I think the mobile communication manufacturers should pay for the RFID upgrade...

Small White Car · Nov 5, 2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpaz

I have no idea what the heck RFID is and why we need it in an iPhone. Can anyone give an example of how this technology can be used in the iPhone?

Most common use is toll road or subway train passes. I have a card for the subway and box in my car for tolls Both are 'charged' by credit card payments when I want to add more money.

You could, with this, use your phone to gain access to a train and have your fare paid through iTunes (or something) instead of having a whole seperate account and card just for that.

piz · Nov 5, 2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspy

Interesting. I wonder how this could be used. Thoughts?

Thousands of possibilities. I hope for a RFID-Reader und -Sender
For example that could be used instead of a transponder as electric door opener

jeremy.king · Nov 5, 2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIguana

Well having an RFID reader in the iPhone/iPod touch could simplify purchases instore if apple chipped all the products they sell.

A reader and an embedded tag would make a lot of sense for all kinds of inter-device communication.

BornToMac · Nov 5, 2009, 04:24 PM

If I read this correctly, the possibilities are exciting. Combined w/ the app store, the possibilities are endless.

Nov 5, 2009, 04:01 PM	#4
doctoree macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Secret lair/ Earthmiddlepoint	720p recording would be even cooler __________________ I just signed my Organ Donor Card because Steve J. asked for it. That's how you know Apples marketing works!

Nov 5, 2009, 04:04 PM	#5
mobi macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Penn's Woods	It already is the "Swiss Champ" __________________ Mac Pro Quadzilla 2.66 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.4 SR \| iMac 20" 2.4 SR \| 16GB iPhone 3g's \| Time Capsule \| a few iPods & more... ShaggyMac

Nov 5, 2009, 04:08 PM	#6
NightFox macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK	Oyster card on my iPhone? Bring it on! __________________ Mac Pro 2x2.8GHz :: MacBook Pro 13" 2.53GHz :: MacBook 2GHz :: Mac mini 1.42Ghz :: iPhone 3G S⃣ 32GB To the people who've got iPhones: you just bought one, you didn't invent it!

Nov 5, 2009, 04:10 PM	#7
Drumjim85 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DFW, TX	This will bring nothing but trouble. Drivers licenses, passports, credit cards, and everything else with RFID will be more and more at risk. __________________ Creative Commons - because copyright is broken.

Nov 5, 2009, 04:13 PM	#9
mspy macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2005	Interesting. I wonder how this could be used. Thoughts? __________________ My apps:Windowcast \| TopDown \| License Plate Game \| iSpeak for Mac \| iTunes launcher \| Volume Control for Mac \| more

Nov 5, 2009, 03:57 PM	#2
Small White Car macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington DC	That'd be pretty sweet. Of course, there'll people who won't trust it, but is it any less secure than the piece of plastic in your wallet currently doing the job?

Nov 5, 2009, 04:11 PM	#8
Hands Sandon macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2008	Oh (big) brother. This could be great but won't this be giving out too much information?

Nov 5, 2009, 04:14 PM	#11
SirOmega macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2006	Wow, this fits into the puzzle right next to the "iTunes as a payment service" and "hardened security" pieces.

Nov 5, 2009, 04:15 PM	#12
TheSpaz macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2005	I have no idea what the heck RFID is and why we need it in an iPhone. Can anyone give an example of how this technology can be used in the iPhone?

Nov 5, 2009, 04:15 PM	#13
ThunderSkunk macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: On the moon.	The Apocalypse!!! It's Coming!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!! __________________ Science and Philosophy, not Religion and Politics

Nov 5, 2009, 04:16 PM	#14
Chaszmyr macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boulder, CO	Sounds awesome to me. I will not be truly happy until my iPhone can replace both my keys and my credit card!

Nov 5, 2009, 04:21 PM	#20
TheIguana macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2004	Well having an RFID reader in the iPhone/iPod touch could simplify purchases instore if apple chipped all the products they sell.

Nov 5, 2009, 04:21 PM	#21
Nuvi macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2008	I've worked in mobile communications RFID project. I can tell you the real application is in targeted advertising. Naturally you can do some nice and cool stuff with it but wast majority of partners are interested about the possibility of delivering targeted place of purchase advertising etc. From consumers standpoint I think the mobile communication manufacturers should pay for the RFID upgrade...

Nov 5, 2009, 04:24 PM	#25
BornToMac macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2008	If I read this correctly, the possibilities are exciting. Combined w/ the app store, the possibilities are endless. __________________ 15" MBP 2.4 ghz multitouch w/ 250g 7200rpm HD 16g iPhone twitter facebook blog

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