Apple Restricting Use of NFC Antenna in iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to Apple Pay

[alexgowers]

You can use contactless payment on Oyster card readers so I don't think they will be missing out.

When I think about it actually, oyster is a quicker method than even apple pay, there is no confirmation or waiting for thumb presses. You just swipe and that's it you go through the gate! Apple couldn't use the apple pay system it would cause too much waiting around and congestion, shame. I suppose they might invent a special implementation of it for use underground with no mobile reception etc and no confirmation.

Maybe apple pay could select the card to use as a digital version of the Oyster card automatically so that it doesn't require confirmation? Hmmm it's a puzzler.

 

[Nozuka]

i don't think they restricted it, it's the other way around.
they just didn't implement the proper API for developers yet. just like touch ID.
this takes additional work.

apple is not going to waste the potential of NFC. they are just beginning.

 

[Tankmaze]

The move is similar to the Touch ID sensor's debut on the iPhone 5s last year, as Apple restricted its use to iTunes purchases and device unlocking. However, Apple announced at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference that developers would be able to integrate Touch ID into their iOS 8 apps. It is possible that Apple will allow NFC to be used with third-party apps at some point in the future

It's a given I think. nfc would be open to developer with iOS 9!!

 

[LV426]

I do really want to know how it'll roll out in the uk?

We have had chip and pin for years, very quick and secure no magnetic data to steal.

Actually, your credit cards do have a magnetic data stripe, so you can use it abroad where they don't have chip & pin.

An Oyster Card in the iPhone passbook would be a great feature. But only if you could use it without a fingerprint. People are in a rush on the Underground.

 

[NightFox]

I guess this stops the likes of PayPal and Google Wallet introducing NFC payment on their iOS Apps until Apple's ready for them. Instead Apple can now take as long as it wants to get its own payment system up and running before it opens the iOS platform up to any competition

 

[deepan84]

Not everything apples does will be successful. Remember iAd and Ping?

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

Will our kids even know what a wallet is?? Can't wait to try it for the first time!

I understand the sentiment about wallets and credit cards, but... where would I put my driver's license? Will the DMV release an app that has my ID stored in a legal format?

 

[Jimrod]

I do really want to know how it'll roll out in the uk?

We have had chip and pin for years, very quick and secure no magnetic data to steal.

We have Oyster cards for train and bus travel that auto topup from bank accounts and use NFC already so apple should be right on this. Millions of transactions a day!

Most POS terminals have NFC as cards here have had it for a few years, I wonder if apple pay can be activated or if the payment systems in the uk are already ready for it?

Would love more info on it as the phone is here so soon and there is zero info? Anyone

I think this will be like iTunes radio - ie. non-existent for those outside the US bubble. Then again, Apple make money out of it so who knows. Thing is, it's starting to get annoying paying for tech in a device that's no use except to those in one country.

 

[BvizioN]

Is this a new thing in the US? had NFC payments for a while here

So have I since couple of years ago but never used once.

 

[irnchriz]

This is fairly standard for Apple. Introduce a new feature/API release it only for Apple app use then after a while allow dev access to the API. This way they can make it exclusive to them while its all new and shiny, test it, write the developer API kit and then release it when its ready for general consumption.

 

[NightFox]

When I think about it actually, oyster is a quicker method than even apple pay, there is no confirmation or waiting for thumb presses. You just swipe and that's it you go through the gate! Apple couldn't use the apple pay system it would cause too much waiting around and congestion, shame. I suppose they might invent a special implementation of it for use underground with no mobile reception etc and no confirmation.

Maybe apple pay could select the card to use as a digital version of the Oyster card automatically so that it doesn't require confirmation? Hmmm it's a puzzler.

Maybe they'll provide an option for smaller payments (say <£5) to not require authentication, in the same way that Oyster and contactless credit cards currently do.

 

[sockatume]

I do really want to know how it'll roll out in the uk?

We have had chip and pin for years, very quick and secure no magnetic data to steal.

We have Oyster cards for train and bus travel that auto topup from bank accounts and use NFC already so apple should be right on this. Millions of transactions a day!

Most POS terminals have NFC as cards here have had it for a few years, I wonder if apple pay can be activated or if the payment systems in the uk are already ready for it?

Would love more info on it as the phone is here so soon and there is zero info? Anyone

It won't be out in the UK for the forseeable future; it'll probably appear in the UK and much of Europe simultaneously, and notwithstanding that there are plenty of multinationals covering that area, it's still a lot of banks to negotiate with.

The systems should be OK with it; Apple's system talks through fairly generic hardware so it'll just be a question of providers rolling out routine software updates to the terminals I reckon.

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When I think about it actually, oyster is a quicker method than even apple pay, there is no confirmation or waiting for thumb presses. You just swipe and that's it you go through the gate! Apple couldn't use the apple pay system it would cause too much waiting around and congestion, shame. I suppose they might invent a special implementation of it for use underground with no mobile reception etc and no confirmation.

Maybe apple pay could select the card to use as a digital version of the Oyster card automatically so that it doesn't require confirmation? Hmmm it's a puzzler.

Use the iWatch - as long as you haven't taken it off since you entered your PIN, there's no need to authenticate the transaction.

Boy, now there's a killer app for you right there. Londoners.

 

[tmanto02]

They might be fine-tuning third party App 'use' or 'access' restrictions from a security standpoint. If that's the case, a 'go slow' policy is only prudent.

Apples go-slow tactics have always frustrated their customers initially but in the long run their UX has always been the greatest. Saying that it still shocks me that it took so long for Apple to finally adopt HDMI.

 

[The Phazer]

I'm not saying that it's going to seem like the greatest idea to offer those restrictions in an immediate sense, but long term, it's what's going to weed out all the half-assed efforts that have fallen by the way side and establish NFC as a legitimate tool of this day and age. Once that happens, others will be able to implement similar systems into their devices, and it will be what it already should have been on a global scale.

Apple's effort is half assed and US only.

Meanwhile the rest of the world will be progressing apace with contactless cards, and Apple will be left behind. Third parties might have been able to fill the gap, but instead this is iTunes Radio and Apple TV all over again - a parochial solution by a company blinded in it's US centricity, missing the boat.

 

[Nozuka]

i'm sure apple will support apple pay with strong marketing. probably going to be used in tv-shows and movies alot. should help get it into peoples head.

and stores will promote it too

 

[Jimrod]

So have I since couple of years ago but never used once.

It's just starting to get a lot more common in the UK these last six months or so - if you've got a chip and pin card most supermarkets, pubs, shops are starting to have NFC on the card reader for transactions under £20, just touch the card on the reader and you're done. No pin needed, really easy. I see Apple Pay as an extension of that but who knows if it will ever make it to the UK.

It's like the HD calls and Cellular call transitioning to WiFi features, all pointless unless you're on the EE network in the UK. I think a lot of Apple users outside the US are massively short-changed on features that should be offered by all major networks. That's another reason this keynote was a big disappointment - all the "wow" features aren't available to many iPhone users and in many cases probably never will be, at least until the iPhone 7 or later.

I'm beginning to think the high prices for Apple hardware are a bit of a con (as many think they are anyway) for those outside the US as we seem to be just subsidising all the features we can't get for the US customers.

 

[Jsameds]

Just like Touch ID was opened up, so will NFC.

And just like bluetooth was opened up.....

Anyway at least this will add to the ever decreasing list of reasons to jailbreak, I suppose.

 

[Skippydoo]

Is this a hardware restriction or is it software so we atleast have a chance of using NFC for third-parties in the future without having to buy iPhone 6s?

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Another reason to jailbreak then

 

[Brian Y]

I do really want to know how it'll roll out in the uk?

We have had chip and pin for years, very quick and secure no magnetic data to steal.

We have Oyster cards for train and bus travel that auto topup from bank accounts and use NFC already so apple should be right on this. Millions of transactions a day!

Most POS terminals have NFC as cards here have had it for a few years, I wonder if apple pay can be activated or if the payment systems in the uk are already ready for it?

Would love more info on it as the phone is here so soon and there is zero info? Anyone

I imagine it's a case of Apple negotiating their cuts with card issuers/banks.

NFC payments are pretty widespread, and other than small independent shops, most places now accept them.

 

[576316]

Will our kids even know what a wallet is?? Can't wait to try it for the first time!

I really do hope this is the future of payment. But, obviously Apple can't get the whole world and all its devices to use Apple Pay meaning that Google and other brands are gonna have to come up with their own 'Pay' system. Even then, would those other systems be as secure as Apple Pay? God forbid Samsung half arsed something like that and creates something really unstable and insecure - I would never trust Samsung with my payment details!

That all being said, I'm hoping people on other OSes will see us iPhone uses using our phone to pay and they'll want to jump ship!

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I do really want to know how it'll roll out in the uk?

We have had chip and pin for years, very quick and secure no magnetic data to steal.

We have Oyster cards for train and bus travel that auto topup from bank accounts and use NFC already so apple should be right on this. Millions of transactions a day!

Most POS terminals have NFC as cards here have had it for a few years, I wonder if apple pay can be activated or if the payment systems in the uk are already ready for it?

Would love more info on it as the phone is here so soon and there is zero info? Anyone

Me too. But I think I heard it was something to do with agreements with Visa and other card companies. The bank has to give Apple a cut of each transaction made via Apple Pay and a few aren't too happy about that. I'm really hoping it doesn't take too long to get to us here in the UK because I can't wait to try it out!

 

[Mr Fusion]

Flipping hell. Enclosed OS.

Won't matter... This is a gimmick feature that'll fade in a year like Siri. One data breach is all it'll take to ruin this, and it's clear tech companies have zero interest in security.

That's great Apple thinks they have the power to push NFC into the mainstream. But until I can leave home without cash, my bank card, drivers license, etc. I'll still require a wallet.

 

[OneMike]

That sucks. Could be great but apple has to go ahead and make it a closed system.

 

[Jsameds]

Won't matter... This is a gimmick feature that'll fade in a year like Siri. One data breach is all it'll take to ruin this, and it's clear tech companies have zero interest in security.

That's great Apple thinks they have the power to push NFC into the mainstream. But until I can leave home without cash, my bank card, drivers license, etc. I'll still require a wallet.

Haha no it won't. Think about it this way - 99% of people who have an iPhone have one that is less than 4 years old. Apple pay debuts in 2014/2015, so by 2019/2020, 99% of people with iPhones will have a phone with Apple Pay built in.

That's hundreds of millions of people.

NFC/Apple Pay will be commonplace in 5 years time, just watch.

 

[jhulgan]

I don't know enough about this technology.
For instance, When I purchased the new iPhone 6, Verizon stated they would send me a new NFC SIM card. Is this necessary to allow the iPhone's NFC to function? Does this have more to do with Softcard/ISIS? And if iPhone's NFC is limited to Apple pay, what is the purpose of the NFC SIM?