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Apple Submits Mystery 'Wireless Device' With Bluetooth and NFC to FCC
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I have this amazing feature on my thermostat where I can program it to have the temp right when I get home and change when I go to work. Also allows me to set it for weekends. No wifi or phone needed and it costs about 40 bucks. On the shelf at Home Depot and made by Honeywell.
Attirex
macrumors 65816
whatever it is, i'm already disappointed by it and Tim needs to resign.
Return Zero
macrumors 68000
Based on the voltage, it's not a mobile/handheld device. Based on the apparent size, it's not a Mac (unless the Mac Mini is going through the shrinker in a major way). Based on the excessive labeling and serial connections, it does indeed seem like an internal device, perhaps for testing at EVT stages. Based on the shape, it does appear to be a product that would eventually see the light of day (not just stuck in a testing lab). Based on the lack of additional connections, it's not a thermostat. Based on the lack of a Wi-Fi report, it's not an Apple TV, AirPort, or Siri speaker. Based on the bluetooth LE + NFC reports, my guess is that it would have something to do with either bluetooth headphones/audio or Apple Pay (like a wireless payment terminal that connects to an iDevice).
I think that this is the best answer so far. The hardware as described (RS485, NFC, Bluetooth and nothing else) is an exact match for a access reader. The real question is whether this would be a product or just for internal use.
lordofthereef
macrumors G5
I can understand the thermostat guesses except for the NFC. Anyone care to help me with that? This seems to lend itself more towards payments. No?
frumpy16
macrumors 65816
NFC could be used for pairing a device. A number of bluetooth speakers do this.
ipedro
macrumors 604
Unless it's an accessory for AppleTV. Siri device is to AppleTV like AirPods are to iPhone.
Does this mean Apple is finally opening up the NFC chip on the iPhone?
ipedro
macrumors 604
I was thinking something along the same lines...they are missing out on a boatload of opportunity with the aftermarket for CarPlay. Size seems a bit much though.
Actually scrap that. I don't think there would be a stand alone solution to cover the amount of software interfaces a device like that would need to bring on screen functionality to pre existing in dash equipment. Besides...it would have to plug in via-harness, which still means taking apart the dash...at which point you might as well replace the head unit.
Some folks posted well before me about it being an IoT Thermostat. Mostly makes sense....but no wifi? Just Bluetooth? That's the only thing that bugs me about that theory.
It's also cool to have a rumor that isn't already half figured about by the time it hits the site.
Gudi
Suspended
Of course. It's a remote vibrator for cam shows with payments for private sessions.
Yeah, me too. People need good real sex, not contactless near field communication.
Bet its for access control. Modern replacement for those non-contact or swipe units that every office uses. Maybe they will deploy it at their new headquarters? Many of those use RS485 for networking. Was hoping there is a color code standard for those devices...appears not to be
ipedro
macrumors 604
That's not a bad guess. An ApplePay payment terminal. Eliminating the clunky pin pads and making ApplePay more visible with a physical presence. Could pair with an iPad and an Apple made retail app.
Apple likes to protect the consumers privacy....maybe it's something that acts like geo-fencing but doesn't require the gps to be on?
Edit: I understand a great many things don't work / don't work very well as it is now if you turn off the gps. Just thinking that Apple is building that kind of option maybe. People are mostly accepting of being tracked for necessary purposes like navigation....but wouldn't be real comfy about individual actions being tracked with in the home...if they were trying to mimic something like geo-fencing. Completely just theorizing here.
ipedro
macrumors 604
To all the people saying that it's a thermostat: you do realize that the wiring is shown and none of it complies with the wiring anybody has in their homes for their thermostats? It's not a thermostat.
lordofthereef
macrumors G5
I suppose that's true. But we haven't seen Apple do that yet. Would be an odd product to start with. Or maybe not since it wouldn't have a dedicated UI
I don't see how retailers could integrate a device like this any easier than they could just enable NFC on their existing devices.
And even if their currently device doesn't support on-board NFC, it seems like it would be less cost (and hassle, from a "who goes out and fixes it if it craps out" point-of-view) to buy the official NFC add-on for their terminals directly from whomever is already selling/supporting their terminals, ... like what Petco (and other companies) are doing with their Verifone MX860s (below).
Earlier this week, we spotted an Apple filing for a nondescript "wireless device" pass through the FCC ID database.Apple characteristically requested permanent confidentiality for most of the documents in the filing, including photos, user manuals, and schematics, so the entry largely remains a mystery.
What we do know is the device has a model number of A1844, which does not line up with any existing Apple products. A regulatory label shows the device has two Torx screws on the back plate of the device, which appears to have at least two slightly curved edges. The device has an electrical rating of 5.5V to 13.2V.
Test reports completed by UL Verification Services also reveal the wireless device has Bluetooth and NFC,although Wi-Fi is not mentioned.including a wiring guide, which would be uncharacteristic of Apple to include on the exterior of a consumer-facing product.
Some websites have speculated the filing could represent a new Apple TV, but the device appears to be smaller based on the artwork -- although there are no exact measurements for scale. The device also has oddly specific regulatory text etched directly on the back of the device,
Perhaps, then, the wireless device is for internal use. Back in 2014, an FCC filing revealed Apple's first-party iBeacon hardware, for example, which the company uses in its retail stores. Originally introduced at WWDC 2013, iBeacon technology enables iOS devices to communicate with transmitters via Bluetooth LE in order to deliver relevant information to apps and services when a user is nearby.
Without any supplemental information, the FCC filing will likely remain a mystery.At this point, virtually any wild speculation is fair game, ranging from a new AirPort Extreme to Apple's widely rumored Siri-enabled speaker for smart homes, although the latter product is reportedly still being prototyped.
Article Link: Apple Submits Mystery 'Wireless Device' With Bluetooth and NFC to FCC
Its obviously an NFC tag Reader for Apple Pay ENABLED POINT OF SALE.
RS485 its a very common serial protocol used on POS devices.
A POS tipically requires some ADD-ON to read NFC payment devices, inclusion of Bluetooth technology could represent an iBeacon advertising the POS NFC so the iPhone starts the Apple Pay system.
Reality is more likely less interesting than the speculations. With NFC and Bluetooth this most likely could be an Apple Store terminal or display stand. Realize that the current is 100mA, to 700mA max, a very low power device, so I doubt it would be anything to do with home automation or speaker. Also Apple typically doesn't plaster their devices with regulatory stickers and wiring guides, so the real usage is most likely very utilitarian and inelegant.
