Next-Generation iPhone Prototypes Reportedly Support NFC for Mobile Payments

[rmwebs]

It's done exactly the same way here in the US. The biggest concern is at restaurants and other venues where your card is handled.

Pretty much all restaurants use portable chip and pin machines. Your card is still not touched by anyone.

 

[cvaldes]

What would be the purpose of NFC, when it already has BlueTooth 4.0? Does this mean Apple's abandoning BlueTooth 4.0?

Stores already have PayPass readers in place, nobody has BT 4.0 readers.

NFC is designed for low-power, short-distance communications for certain types of interactions. Note that as dontwalkhand points out, you can use a credit card (no battery) or a transit card for something like NFC contactless payments.

Bluetooth -- while also a wireless communications protocol -- is not really designed for this as its primary function. Bluetooth is really designed as a wireless alternative to cable management, things like telephone headsets, keyboards, mice, etc. The Bluetooth spec supports longer distances (generally 5-10 meters), and thus is not suitable for financial transactions. Also, Bluetooth basically requires power on both devices.

NFC transmission distances are typically very short (like inches) for security purposes. If you wave a Clipper Card (the SF Bay Area's transit card) over a reader, you need to be one or two inches above the sensor. If you wave it six inches away, it will not register.

 

[AppleGuesser]

If I lose my credit card, the numbers are right there to copy. This feature will wrap the credit card around encryption and most likely a password to use. This is a lot more safe than carrying around plastic.

Exactly, I was joking about that guys ridiculous comment

 

[Fatboy71]

This will be the event that causes NFC to go mainstream. Retailers who were taking a "wait and see" approach will dive in head first once it's in the iPhone.

iPhone 5 launch is going to be verrrry interesting.

I hope so, has I've yet to see a NFC credit card terminal anywhere in my area.

 

[kiljoy616]

I was hoping that would go away and something better was implemented.

 

[jonnysods]

Sweet. Won't need as many credit cards anymore! Or a big wallet!

 

[Mattsasa]

*yawn*

 

[knewsom]

Not to mention that if you lose your iPhone, you just lost your money temporarily (for that night or however long until you get a new one & restore).

Man, why would anyone want to carry their money around in their pocket in something that could easily be left on a counter or taken by a pickpocket?

 

[kiljoy616]

Man, why would anyone want to carry their money around in their pocket in something that could easily be left on a counter or taken by a pickpocket?

No sure for others but cash is king for me.

 

[JangoFett124]

No sure for others but cash is king for me.

If you lose your cash, it's gone for good.

 

[samcraig]

No idea why this is getting downvotes. It's extremely valid and something everyone should remember whether it's towards Apple, Microsoft, Google or whatever.

For example- NFC gaining traction and wider adoption is a win for the consumer because right now- in the US - there are very few places to even use NFC. There are strength in numbers. It's not always about one company vs another. Sometimes it's about forging ahead and moving a technology towards better adoption.

Well nobody can say that Apple stole NFC from Google, but Google "did it first" (as in, phone wallet) and Apple will be doing it now.

Which is a good thing.

This is not about "stealing", this is about driving technology forward, something that both Android and iPhone users should understand. Unfortunately Apple is not helping by frequently claiming "how everyone is copying from them", but that's just a narcissistic statement from a narcissistic company, we got loads of those.

So yeah, Google did it first like a lot of things that Apple is introducing lately, but who cares - it's good that Apple is introducing those features too. Good ideas should be promoted, not avoided for the sake of competition.

 

[JangoFett124]

Yeah, but you're going to need to carry non-Passbook things on you: ID, Insurance, Paper Money etc...

So, you'll still be carrying two things (a real wallet & an iPhone). I just don't see such a great advantage on PassBook. It's like, I would hated carrying around my iPod & a phone: it made sense to get an iPhone since the iPhone worked as an iPod. In this case, the iPhone can't fully replace a 'wallet' (yet).

I'm going to have to carry both around anyway. And in the future, everything might be on the phone. Carrying around less and less cards does lead to a lighter wallet, and more security too.

 

[Born Again]

They stole NFC from Google?

I thought apple bought up everthingI mean invented everthing !

 

[bbeagle]

No sure for others but cash is king for me.

I prefer George Strait.

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I thought apple bought up everthingI mean invented everthing !

How Lame.

Apple does not claim at INVENTING everything, but of making the experience better. And it does.

 

[chrisbru]

No sure for others but cash is king for me.

I think you missed his point - A wallet can just as easily (or, some might even say, MORE easily) be left on a counter or pickpocketed as a phone. And, in the event that a NFC phone is stolen, everything on it is much more secure because you would need to be able to unlock the phone/enter a pin/etc. to use any of the payment forms stored on it. Alternatively, if my wallet is stolen the thief can use any of those cards at a number of places until I notice it is missing and call and cancel my card. Gas stations especially have ZERO protection against stolen cards, and a majority of stores won't check signatures or pay attention to a "SEE ID" written on the back of the card.

 

[gtg660w]

uggg...again?

I understand that with Passbook coming to ios6, this seems more feasible. But seriously, this rumor has been tooted since iPhone 4. For clarify, so have the other following rumors:

1) Bigger screen - looks to be finally confirmed
2) Tear drop design
3) oval shaped home button
4) smaller dock connector - looks to be confirmed
5) turn-by-turn navigation - confirmed
-- other non-iphone related
6) an Apple television set - seriously, if i'm an analyst, might as well cover my eyes and throw at a dart board
7) iPad Mini - ditto on the tv set
8) iFloor Mat - j/k

 

[knewsom]

I think you missed his point - A wallet can just as easily (or, some might even say, MORE easily) be left on a counter or pickpocketed as a phone. And, in the event that a NFC phone is stolen, everything on it is much more secure because you would need to be able to unlock the phone/enter a pin/etc. to use any of the payment forms stored on it. Alternatively, if my wallet is stolen the thief can use any of those cards at a number of places until I notice it is missing and call and cancel my card. Gas stations especially have ZERO protection against stolen cards, and a majority of stores won't check signatures or pay attention to a "SEE ID" written on the back of the card.

Nailed it.

 

[deannnnn]

So what will they call it?....

iCash
iPay
iWallet
iMoney....

?

They'll probably implement it into iTunes but then not change the name.

 

[BornAgainMac]

If I lose my credit card, the numbers are right there to copy. This feature will wrap the credit card around encryption and most likely a password to use. This is a lot more safe than carrying around plastic.

Wow, I can almost see the keynote slide comparing both now.

 

[guzhogi]

Sounds good to me. Plus, with passbook, your iPhone will be all you need to pay for stuff or whatever.

 

[Macintosh-HD]

I know it's just a mock illustration, but I like how it displays 3G... How 2008 is that, lol ? I though the next gen iPhone was supposed to be 4G.

 

[hirshnoc]

That's all great, but when is Apple integrating tactile feedback for games and/or a pressure sensor for, say, musical instrument apps? A thermometer (for getting accurate on the spot weather conditions) would be cool too.

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Oh and an altimeter. Would be cooooool.

 

[hushypushy]

I think you missed his point - A wallet can just as easily (or, some might even say, MORE easily) be left on a counter or pickpocketed as a phone. And, in the event that a NFC phone is stolen, everything on it is much more secure because you would need to be able to unlock the phone/enter a pin/etc. to use any of the payment forms stored on it. Alternatively, if my wallet is stolen the thief can use any of those cards at a number of places until I notice it is missing and call and cancel my card. Gas stations especially have ZERO protection against stolen cards, and a majority of stores won't check signatures or pay attention to a "SEE ID" written on the back of the card.

Where do you buy gas?? I've purchased gas in fifteen different states in the past year, and I've always had to enter some information. If it's a debit card, they want my PIN. If it's a credit card, I have to enter my zip code. For me, a gas station is one of the safest places...although I do concede there are many places (e.g. Best Buy) where you can buy expensive things and they rarely check ID or look at the card.

However, I don't see how a wallet is more easily pick-pocketed. My wallet is always in my front pants pocket...and I only take it out when I'm paying for something. On the other hand, my cell phone is constantly out--whether it be in my hand being used, left on a restaurant table as I eat, etc. Remember how the public discovered the iPhone 4?

 

[steve-p]

Sweet. Won't need as many credit cards anymore! Or a big wallet!

It would be bad news if you had a flat battery and couldn't pay for anything though

 

[Rocketman]

I want NFC to be password protected or dual swipe protected by default. Also another security check above a stated transaction amount.