Apple Again Seeks FCC Approval for Mysterious 'Wireless Device' With Bluetooth and NFC

[insanity1]

I really do think that it's a card swipe reader for unlocking doors via either card, iPhone NFC or maybe BT. Probably for the new Apple HQ.

The FCC test diagram even references that the EUT (Equipment Under Test) has a "Door SKU":

View attachment 685246

It also mentions testing NFC in portrait, landscape and flat orientations, which could correspond to mounting it differently on walls or tables.

Surely this is for a car keyless entry system then? DC supply, NFC. Do away with a key fob and use your phone to unlock, start ignition etc...

 

[MacBH928]

Home kit device or iBeacon is much more believable than an auto-driving car by Apple.

 

[insanity1]

Home kit device or iBeacon is much more believable than an auto-driving car by Apple.

I agree, but this is more fun as an idea.

And it doesn't have to be the whole car, just an add-on to car play. My phone's already telling me where I've parked, why shouldn't it unlock the doors, set the seat position and let me start the engine without looking for keys?

 

[laurim]

I'm purposely waiting on buying an Echo or Google Home device because I believe Apple is coming out with their own "Hey Siri" satellite devices. Hope this is it and it's out soon. AND that it finally works with my Wemos.

 

[kdarling]

EDIT: interestingly enough, the first model number had that reference to the door sku in the NFC test, but the second model number testing has no reference to the door sku. Could be two discrete devices.

Also, one was Apple SKU "JR-1" and this is "JR-2".

The other difference on the markings is that JR-1 had only a UL component mark (meaning it had not been tested with its other parts), whereas this newer JR-2 has the regular full UL mark, meaning it has.

So between the first and second version, they finished up the whole system it is to be used in.

Surely this is for a car keyless entry system then? DC supply, NFC. Do away with a key fob and use your phone to unlock, start ignition etc...

It only takes up to 13.2 volts. A regular car electrical system goes over 14 volts.

It also has an RS485 serial interface. A car system would normally use a CAN bus standard.

I'm purposely waiting on buying an Echo or Google Home device because I believe Apple is coming out with their own "Hey Siri" satellite devices. Hope this is it and it's out soon. AND that it finally works with my Wemos.

It's definitely not that. It's not something that would be sold to an end consumer as-is.

According to the label, it must have wires hanging out to hook to a separate DC power supply, and other wires hanging out to hook to a RS485 wired loop.

There's only a few things that make sense for it to be:

• An NFC point of sale terminal. But it's missing popular ports like RS232/USB, and has wires hanging out.
• An Apple Store NFC demo thingie, like their special charger / demo holders for Apple Watches.
• An (industrial) thermostat of some sort. But neither NFC nor BT makes sense. WiFi would.
• A door swipe card point. That could use the NFC, BT, RS485, along with battery power.

 

[RedPillEater]

Sounds like a stand alone Siri device, Apples playing catch up to Echo and Alexa.