Bloomberg: iPhone 5, iPad 2 To Have NFC Capabilities
by Joe White
January 25, 2011
According to the latest rumor, Apple's next generation iPhone and iPad will supposedly be "Near Field Communication" (NFC) capable, and could feature a "mobile payment system." This would allow Apple fans to use their iDevice in place of a debit or credit card when paying for goods.
The news comes from Bloomberg, who just published a report on Apple's upcoming service.
The main goal for Apple would be to get a piece of the $6.2 trillion Americans spend each year on goods and services, Crone said. Today, the company pays credit-card processing fees on every purchase from iTunes. By encouraging consumers to use cheaper methods — such as tapping their bank accounts directly, which is how many purchases are made via PayPal — Apple could cut its own costs and those of retailers selling Apple products.NFC is certainly an exciting field, and one that has a lot of potential. Back in August, Apple hired an NFC expert, indicating that the company was hoping to implement this technology in future products. Personally, I think the most exciting feature an NFC handset can boast is the ability to act as a credit or debit card. To see how this would work, take a look at the video below. And, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments.
