Apple is Opening Up the iPhone's NFC Chip: What You Need to Know

[Ctrlos]

As with sideloading, a lot of ignorance of how things have been done on Android. A bank doesn’t have to use Google Wallet and can build their own NFC payment app if they wish; it’s just too much of a pain to bother with.

The same will apply to iOS. It might be cool to see workplaces replace ID cards with phone access to buildings but that’s about it.

 

[jiminycricket]

As with sideloading, a lot of ignorance of how things have been done on Android.

How things have been done on Android doesn't mean anything about how Apple is implementing them on iOS. Apple's proposed APIs don't allow multiple apps to "listen" for a tap and then route the tap to different apps. They only allow a single app to be designated as the default (Wallet OR something else, not both), and to use any NFC card functionality from an app that isn't the default requires the app to be running in the foreground.

 

[brofkand]

Mr. Cook, tear down these walls!

 

[garyjones027]

Right. I'm in NZ and my bank only just this year finally added Apple Pay support.
I dont want multiple wallets. I certainly don't want to empower my bank or any other more than they already are.
It's not in the consumers interests, this is only in the banks and retailers interests.

I had to facepalm at the "30% cut of each transaction" comment that has been top voted on here.
The ignorance...🤦‍♂️ Unbelievable.
Wikipedia cites "Financial Times reported that Apple receives 0.15% cut of US purchases made with the service"
That's what the banks want to claw back. Apple developed the technology and rolled it out.
In a free market they deserve to be rewarded for this, much used and excellent, service.
It's more secure than a bank card.

The EU comes across as a bit bitter and resentful that no one in Europe can hold a light to what they've done.
Nokia/Ericsson ruled supreme and lost it in 2007.

In New Zealand, you pay a surcharge if you use Apple Pay, paywave, and contactless on an eftpos card reader in small businesses.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Can’t wait for the separate banking and credit card apps you’ll be forced to use after this. Every company will have their own app.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Right. I'm in NZ and my bank only just this year finally added Apple Pay support.
I dont want multiple wallets. I certainly don't want to empower my bank or any other more than they already are.
It's not in the consumers interests, this is only in the banks and retailers interests.

I had to facepalm at the "30% cut of each transaction" comment that has been top voted on here.
The ignorance...🤦‍♂️ Unbelievable.
Wikipedia cites "Financial Times reported that Apple receives 0.15% cut of US purchases made with the service"
That's what the banks want to claw back. Apple developed the technology and rolled it out.
In a free market they deserve to be rewarded for this, much used and excellent, service.
It's more secure than a bank card.

The EU comes across as a bit bitter and resentful that no one in Europe can hold a light to what they've done.
Nokia/Ericsson ruled supreme and lost it in 2007.

Exactly every credit card company and bank will force you into their own apps.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Can’t wait for the separate banking and credit card apps you’ll be forced to use after this. Every company will have their own app.

iPhone cases that serve as credit card wallets will become more popular because using physical cards will be easier than tap to pay.

 

[CapitalIdea]

I'm mentally preparing myself for my grocery store (Kroger--which just recently began accepting Apple Pay) withdrawing from Apple Pay and creating an NFC app that can only be funded by debiting my bank account.

Exactly. This kind of thing is likely to happen. Throw in some banks which will pull their cards off Apple Wallet in a blind attempt to force you to to use their app as the only way to purchase with NFC. It would effectively make competing banks' cards more inconvenient to use by adding friction, and the bank that provides the app will then be able to work with "trusted partners" to sell user transaction data with more info than Apple lets them have.

 

[steve09090]

I don’t even think they need this. Wallet works fine for loyalty cards etc. In Australia I just tap my phone to the card reader as if I’m going to pay, and it automatically changes to my loyalty card, and Apple gets no cut from a loyalty card. This just seems like a way to circumvent security. What could go wrong?

 

[CapitalIdea]

Alternatively, they charge you extra for using your credit card. I like Cumberland Farms where they give you a discount for paying by their app which is linkec to your bank account.

You allow a regional convenience store/gas station chain direct access to your bank funds? JFC.

 

[steve09090]

You allow a regional convenience store/gas station chain direct access to your bank funds? JFC.

Because big corporations are so ethical?

 

[arc of the universe]

I’m a bit surprised that NFC wouldn’t allow for some smart selection like “app x is in charge of device/use-case y”.

yes. i would be surprised too, if there isn't such a function.
it does seem logical that there is an available key/register somewhere in the NFS terminal handshake that can say:
"hey, its us at Chain Store X, we see you are presenting your iPhone for an NFS payment, we will comply by using our Chain Store Wallet for payment, and not apple pay".
but knowing apple, its likely that it will be need to be done via the Default Wallet/app way.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

iPhone cases that serve as credit card wallets will become more popular because using physical cards will be easier than tap to pay.

Exactly. I’ll go from carrying no cards to having to carry them all again.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Exactly. This kind of thing is likely to happen. Throw in some banks which will pull their cards off Apple Wallet in a blind attempt to force you to to use their app as the only way to purchase with NFC. It would effectively make competing banks' cards more inconvenient to use by adding friction, and the bank that provides the app will then be able to work with "trusted partners" to sell user transaction data with more info than Apple lets them have.

The banks and CC companies already get information

 

[arc of the universe]

Honestly this kind of sucks. Having a single wallet that has all cards in it is a big plus, making it very easy to switch what card you'll use each time (double click side button, swipe to change card). if card issuers start abandoning wallet and doing their own thing, you could have a single card as default, but to get to other cards you'd have to unlock the phone, open the app, and then you could pay.

yes.indeed.but.

for apple pay related payments, apple has been stingy with what info the retailer can get about its paying customer.
retailers want to give you coupons and try different ways to get you to return.
apple has been super controlling about what kind of info is shared.
separate wallets will give retailers the ability to flood you with very targeted coupons, etc.

 

[jiminycricket]

separate wallets will give retailers the ability to flood you with very targeted coupons, etc.

I'm hoping the sarcasm is just really subtle, but in case it isn't: and this is a good thing? It's already hard enough to maintain privacy.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

yes.indeed.but.

for apple pay related payments, apple has been stingy with what info the retailer can get about its paying customer.
retailers want to give you coupons and try different ways to get you to return.
apple has been super controlling about what kind of info is shared.
separate wallets will give retailers the ability to flood you with very targeted coupons, etc.

Local grocery store, put in phone number they get all the information. Banks and CC companies don’t care about what you buy.

I do agree every business will want to force you into their all and it’ll suck for the user.

 

[42545]

On Android, it's enough just to have the lock unlocked. On iPhone, do we have to open the bank app? Apple is making things difficult. Apple Pay is not used in my country, and if it was, I wouldn't care about this news, but I care a lot.

 

[steve09090]

Notably in the same Macrumors front page thread…

Talking about Android, but it’s relevant here.

Android Phones Exposed to Remote Access Vulnerability

Some Android smartphones have been found to contain a hidden security vulnerability that could allow remote access to user data, alarming...

www.macrumors.com

According to iVerify, the application appears to have been designed for use in retail environments, allowing employees to demonstrate the device's features to customers. However, researchers found that when activated, the application could connect to a server via an unsecured "http" connection, making it vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals.​

​

As many have said before, would could go wrong.

 

[Seoras]

In New Zealand, you pay a surcharge if you use Apple Pay, paywave, and contactless on an eftpos card reader in small businesses.

Which is absolutely scandalous. I'm not a Kiwi, I'm Scottish and I've just returned to NZ after a 2 week visit to Scotland.
I couldn't believe, when I was there, having cash refused by small businesses. "Sorry, contactless payment only sir!".
Which is brilliant but the complete opposite of NZ where the banks are f**king everyone for using something superior and safer.
Don't get me started on NZ having no visual voice mail unless you are on a contract plan!

 

[AppleTO]

NFC isn’t only used for payments. I would love to be able to use it for door access as well.

 

[jiminycricket]

NFC isn’t only used for payments. I would love to be able to use it for door access as well.

I agree, but having to open the app to use it would be really annoying, instead of just using a card set to Express mode in the wallet

 

[CJM]

This is the one time I’m a bit concerned. I’m usually all for consumer freedom, but the wallet app works pretty well and I can just see shops and banks dropping Apple Pay in favour of their own terrible systems.

 

[Razorpit]

Local grocery store, put in phone number they get all the information. Banks and CC companies don’t care about what you buy.

I do agree every business will want to force you into their all and it’ll suck for the user.

That’s not true. CC companies are tracking purchases. Everything has a code assigned to it. I use to get an annual statement from one company with $X for groceries, $X for movies, $X for gas, and so on. That was 20 years ago, can only imagine the details collected now.

Agree this will eventually break Apple Wallet.

 

[spartan1967]

Why has it taken Apple this long to do this? Possibly because iPhone growth has plateaued?