There were rumours that the iPhone 4S, back when we were calling it the iPhone 5, might adopt NFC (Near Field Communication). But nope. Same for the actual iPhone 5, and again it was a no-go.
Now we’re hearing that Apple has signed a deal suggesting that NFC might be present in the next iPhone.
NFC welcomes a host of features, such as scanning tags embedded in marketing posters and sharing content between devices ("tap to connect"), however the headline feature is contactless payments.
Where were we? Ah yes; an Australian publication, appropriately titled The Australian, reports that Apple has signed a deal with five-year-old Sydney-based Microlatch.
The deal will reportedly see Apple adopt Microlatch’s patented fingerprint technologies in NFC applications.
The move follows Apple’s $356 million acquisition of fingerprint sensor maker AuthenTec in July.
NFC has yet to break through in the west, though the UK’s network bigwigs seem confident it’ll spell the end for the humble wallet. Meh, we’re not convinced. But then we’re old and set in our ways.
What do you think? Death to cash, or say no to NFC?
via: ZDNet
