Apple

Apple exploring NFC-based digital media gifting between iDevices

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 15, 2013

One of the hangups with Apple's iTunes is that currently there is no way for you to directly 'gift' digital media to a friend or family member. Though you can easily trade, re-sell or give away a music CD, you can't do that with movies, books any other digital content types offered on Apple's iTunes Store.

A patent application published Thursday could solve this dilemma, thanks to near-field communications (NFC) technology, which has yet to be deployed across Apple devices.

According to the filing published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, instead of a second party receiving an email from iTunes that a song or video has been purchased, an item could be gifted to a nearby iOS device simply with the press of a button...

Apple patents S Beam-like device transfers

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 4, 2013

A 2009 Apple patent application is gaining renewed attention, not only because the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today issued a patent to the iPhone maker, but how the technology could keep pace with smartphone rival Samsung.

At issue is finding a way to easily transfer data between handsets and desktop computers. The patent, titled "System and method for simplified data transfer" describes how two Apple devices could wirelessly sync data using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, a system as yet unavailable in Apple products but part of Samsung's S Beam feature on select NFC-enabled Galaxy devices...

Apple patent outlines proximity iPhone-to-Mac file transfers

Ed Sutherland ∙ April 17, 2013

If you have some media content on your iPhone that needs to get to a Mac, the transfer can be cumbersome. Apple appears to be tapping wireless technologies to smooth out such operations, simply by having your mobile device near your desktop or portable Mac computer.

A patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office outlines a way for Macs to sense when a mobile device is nearby. Your iPhone can then transmit that great vacation photo to the Mac, which then inserts the image into an email, or even photo manipulation application...

Apple researching ‘realistic’ wireless charging methods

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 29, 2012

Apple has filed for a patent to solve one of mankind's most troubling questions: how do I recharge my iPad with this annoyingly-short power cord? In the application, the company suggests a 'realistic' way to wirelessly recharge your iDevice via near-field resonance. While near-field technology is more often used to grab data off your credit card at the grocery store, Apple sees the technology as a way to cut the cord between your laptop, iPad or iPhone and a wall charger, the way your mouse was set free years prior...

Apple granted patent for NFC alternative

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

This year's roundup of iPhone rumors, like many years before it, included chatter that the iPhone 5 would finally receive NFC technology. But as we found out in September, those reports were once again unfounded.

Despite the fact that several Android handsets support the wireless connection, Apple has yet to add it to its mobile products. But according to a newly granted patent, it may be working on some kind of alternative...

Apple scores iTravel patent featuring NFC and Passbook integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) had a busy morning, publishing as much as 23 newly granted patents for Apple, one of them concerning NFC technology rumored to debut on the next iPhone and Passbook, a new iOS 6 application that Apple's marketing honcho Phil Schiller insists isn't a direct payment solution. The iTravel patent, as it's been dubbed, covers travel services such as a boarding pass and express check-in, amongst other stuff...

Apple granted key patent for ‘iWallet’

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

Many Android device manufacturers have opted to include near field communication (NFC) technology inside of their devices. NFC allows customers to transmit data between two devices. The biggest use for NFC is for mobile payments – which Google has been actively pursuing with its Google Wallet technology.

Apple has been granted a new patent for the 'iWallet' from the United States Trademark & Patent Office, as outlined by Patently Apple. The new patent allows for Apple to include NFC technology into the iPhone for mobile payments...

Patent Reveals That Apple Does Have Interest in NFC

Cody Lee ∙ November 18, 2011

In the months leading up to Apple's Fall iPhone announcement, there were several rumors that claimed Apple's next smartphone would feature NFC technology. Competing devices have had the wireless payment tech for years, but it's only recently started to gain traction.

Obviously, the gossip didn't materialize, as there isn't any kind of NFC chipset in the iPhone 4S. But that doesn't mean that Apple is ignoring the technology. The company was recently awarded a patent regarding Near Field Communications in mobile devices...

Patent News: A Peek At E-Wallet Icon and Photo Booth for the iPhone

Alex Heath ∙ February 23, 2011

In the latest Apple patent news, two recently awarded patents have revealed future plans for the iPhone. Apple appears to be working on some sort of "e-Wallet" application. It also seems that the "Photo Booth" application from Mac OS X will be coming to iOS.

Some type of Apple-designed mobile payment app corroborates the rumors that NFC technology will be implemented into the iPhone 5. When the iOS 4.3 beta was released, 9to5 Mac found two Photo Booth-related frameworks in the firmware. This new Photo Booth patent only affirms that we will in fact be able to use the dorky filters that Photo Booth has to offer on our iPhones.