This Could Finally Be The Year That NFC Technology Comes To Apple's iPhone
May 20, 2014
This could finally be the year Apple adds near-field communication (NFC) technology to the iPhone, according to investment firm Morgan Stanley. In doing so, the technology will be part of the company’s so-called “iWallet” solution, according to AppleInsider.
NFC will soon be the “core part of (Apple’s) mobile payments strategy,” according to Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach. "He believes NFC is reaching an ‘inflection point,’ thanks to new partnerships, potential licenses, and patent filings, including those from Apple," according to the report.
Apple has long been rumored to be bringing NFC technology to iOS devices. To date, however, the company’s close-proximity wireless efforts have used a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The company’s iBeacon specification, for example, uses this combination.
Earlier this month, Brightwire reported that Apple planned on integrating NFC technology in its next-generation iPhone handsets. The news cited “sources familiar with the matter” and argued that Cupertino had also signed a mobile payments deal with China UnionPay.
The New York Times reported as far back as March 2011 that Apple would be bringing NFC technology to future iPhones. Since then, the iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s have all launched -- without NFC capabilities.
For more on the so-called "iPhone 6," see: See What iOS Looks Like Running On A 4.7-inch 'iPhone 6,' With Samsung And Sharp Out, Innolux Will Help Produce Displays For Apple's 'iPhone 6,' and Apple Restricts Staff Vacation Times At German Retail Stores For September.
