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Morgan Stanley also believes the iPhone 6 will feature NFC tech

Cody Lee ∙ May 20, 2014

It seems like every time Apple is about to release a new smartphone, NFC rumors pop up. I'm not sure if some folks just really want the technology to succeed, or think the iPhone needs it to be compatible with various products and services, but the talk has seriously become an annual thing.

And this year is no different. Back in March, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that his supply chain checks signaled that Apple was building NFC chips for its iPhone 6, and earlier this month, Brightwire echo'ed the claim. Today, Morgan Stanley adds its weight to the claim in an investors note...

New report says iPhone 6 likely to feature NFC for future mobile payment service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

According to a new report, the incoming iPhone 6 is going to feature support for NFC technology (or near field communications). Citing sources 'close to the matter,' New York news outlet Brightwire says Apple is planning to utilize the wireless tech in a future mobile payment system.

In fact, Brightwire claims that Tim Cook and company have already inked a deal with China UnionPay service. And under that deal, users will be able to make mobile payments on over 3 million China UnionPay 'QuickPass' POS machines in the country using Passbook on their iPhones...

Incipio’s Cashwrap NFC iPhone case now available to Verizon customers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2018

Case maker Incipio two weeks ago announced its new iPhone case, the Cashwrap. It brings mobile wallet functionality to the iPhone 4/4s/5/5s by incorporating NFC technology. The case is compatible with the carrier-backed Isis Mobile Wallet app which makes it possible to pay with your device at participating retailers, mass transit systems and more, using an Iris account.

AT&T initially rolled out the Cashwrap to its own retail stores and yesterday the accessory became available to order in Verizon stores nationwide and from the Big Red carrier’s online store...

AT&T and Incipio introduce new ‘Cashwrap’ NFC iPhone case

Cody Lee ∙ January 24, 2014

Incipio announced today the launch of its new Cashwrap Mobile Wallet Case for the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, and 5s. The case features NFC tech, and works with the Isis Mobile Wallet app that lets users pay with their smartphones at participating retailers.

The accessory-maker has teamed up with AT&T to bring the Cashwrap to the masses, and it will be available in the company's stores starting this month. The goal here is to get more iPhone owners using the carrier-backed Isis for mobile payments...

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...

New report claims iPhone 5S will feature a fingerprint sensor and NFC

Cody Lee ∙ March 11, 2013

The chatter regarding Apple's next-generation handset, the iPhone 5S, has stayed fairly consistent over the past few months. The talk points to a device with an iPhone 5-like design, an improved camera system and other internal upgrades.

Another rumor that continues to surface is that the phone will feature a built-in fingerprint sensor. And it's popped up again this morning in a new report, claiming the 5S will use that and NFC to push Apple further into mobile payments...

US Bank launches NFC iPhone case for Go Mobile payment service

Cody Lee ∙ January 14, 2013

The iPhone may not have near field communications installed, but that's not stopping companies from trying to integrate the tech. US Bank proves that yet again today by unveiling its new NFC-enabled iPhone case.

The case is a major part of the bank's new Go Mobile payment service, which will allow US Bank customers to pay for goods and services from their checking, savings or credit accounts using an NFC-compatible device...

CES 2013: Incipio announces NFC-enabled iPhone wallet

Cody Lee ∙ January 9, 2013

Like Griffin, Belkin and other iOS accessory powerhouses, Incipio turned up at CES this week to unveil a wide range of new products. Among them are a dual iPhone 5 car charger, and an iPhone case with a built-in tape measure.

Perhaps most interesting, though, is its new Cashwrap iPhone case. The thin case not only protects the handset from drops and other accidents, but it also gives it the ability to make NFC transactions using the Isis platform...

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...

Microlatch developing fingerprint tech for Apple to use in NFC apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 3, 2012

There has been a whole lot of hoopla concerning Apple deploying NFC technology on iOS devices, especially prior to the iPhone 5's release last month. NFC, or Near-Field Communication, facilitates close-proximity wireless payments on mobile devices.

Marketing boss Phil Schiller explained Apple passed on NFC with this year's iOS devices lineup because "Passbook does the kinds of things customers need today", noting that "it’s not clear that NFC is the solution to any current problem".

In the reality, Apple is working behind the scenes, taking its time to put the pieces of the NFC puzzle together until an NFC-equipped iPhone and the associated service is fully baked and ready for public consumption. It doesn't come as a surprise then that Apple is working with Sydney-based Microlatch to develop fingerprint technology for NFC apps...