I said this many times and didn't get much response. I think Apple is going to introduce some kind of eWallet system that uses fingerprint for security and NFC for communication.
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More Evidence of NFC Support for Both iPhone 6 Models
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I said this many times and didn't get much response. I think Apple is going to introduce some kind of eWallet system that uses fingerprint for security and NFC for communication.
4.7 is a phablet now? Hah! Then my Note 3 is what then?
It is what we call in France a "Cabine Téléphonique"
This confuses me. A company like Apple doesn't need to wait for technologies to gain traction to adopt it if it itself sees use cases that don't rely on others.
As for "why now", NFC isn't just a chip, but also needs pretty big (but flat) antenna as well. Since it wasn't in the iPhone 5, it was unlikely to ever be in the iPhone 5s since it most definitely would have required a case redesign.
This is obviously true, because things become popular when apple does them, but I still don't see myself using nfc for payments. I've had it on my phones for the last two years, have only used it with nfc tags, never once for payment.
Kuo is often so far off-base it's unbelievable. He was peddling around that the iPhone 5S home button would be convex days before the announcement. That the iPhone 5C would be $400 off-contract days before the announcement. He said there would be a 128 GB iPhone 5S days before the announcement. All of these after the devices were all well into mass production, and dozens of higher-ups at Apple were aware of all the details. He throws a bunch of crap against of the wall, most of it fairly obvious or already well-known, and some of it sticks.
Sometimes high volume partners get custom packages, but yeah, that's the most likely issue with this being the NFC chip.
edit: for example, here's a 28 lead version, but it's without leads in the extreme corners: http://www.nxp.com/packages/SOT788-1.html
Also, sometimes not all leads are used and can be used for landmarks for automatic pick&place tools.
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I just noticed yesterday that Apple Retail employees are using new EasyPays for for checkout/scheduling (I worked there for 4 years, so I'm a nerd and notice these things.). The new models have NFC on them. I doubt Apple would go to the trouble of updating/replacing their fleet of checkout devices just to accept payment from competitors' devices. The new iPhone will have NFC. I bet an appendage on it. Anyone up for the challenge? Whoever loses the bet loses an arm. Pics get posted to Macrumors.
That was weird.
Your the best! Wrong, but still the best!!
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Could the chip be for wireless charging? Would love it, but how would the signal get through the back?
I'm still skeptical we'll see this in the 6 but do think we'll see it eventually. I feel like Jobs was not willing to compromise on some things and Cook is a little more flexible when it comes to doing what stockholders and consumers want - NFC being one of those things.
Yeah, NFC is kind of a niche thing right now but if we could have some standards that cross OS/manufacturer lines it could be huge. And there is a LOT of money to be made - mobile payments are going to be HUGE. It may take 10 years but we'll get there. I hope Apple can find a way to speed up that process and doesn't try to implement a proprietary system that no one adopts.
Yeah, NFC is kind of a niche thing right now but if we could have some standards that cross OS/manufacturer lines it could be huge. And there is a LOT of money to be made - mobile payments are going to be HUGE. It may take 10 years but we'll get there. I hope Apple can find a way to speed up that process and doesn't try to implement a proprietary system that no one adopts.
People care about technologies when those technologies are put to a good use and so those people can then employ them.
Technology for technology's sake usually makes no sense at all
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The Apple smartwatch - whatever it will be called. I believe that is the device that should house NFC for payments. I think it makes the most sense.
Though I suppose you could put NFC in both devices so those who choose not to purchase the watch would still be able to pay via whatever payment system Apple implements.
I could understand getting the memory upgrade for some folks, but calling a 4.7 inch iPhone a phablet is a bit of a stretch.
I think you're right that Apple wanted to wait until an iPhone redesign to implement it.
But how could Apple put the large flat antenna required by NFC on the iPhone 6 since the back is all metal except for the antenna bands?
Well... this is where this recent Apple patent could be used as it describes a method for using the top and bottom cell antennas for NFC :
Shared Antenna Structures for Near-Field Communications and Non-Near-Field Communications Circuitry
Time will tell however this alleged payments system would work well with passbook. We already have banks utilising passbook for balances. Storing travel cards, prepaid credit cards etc. on there could then utilise NFC to extract a payment.
I will be waiting as well.
There were so many people that said apple would never have seams on their iPhone. They bought that iPhone. They are lurking here now.
SHOW YOURSELVES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If apple has it then they care
4.7 is a phablet now? Hah! Then my Note 3 is what then?
Well, the way Apple adds an inch of bezel all around, sure, why not...?
If Apple's NFC tehnology is proven to be secure and unhackable, and if retailers support it, I would look to use it the same way I currently use my debit or credit card at traditional brick & mortor businesses.