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iPhone 5 rumored not to have NFC

by Kelly Hodgkins Mar 14th 2011 at 4:30PM

According to sources within the UK's largest wireless operators, Apple will not include NFC (Near Field Communication) technology in the upcoming iPhone 5. NFC is a short-range wireless technology integrated in mobile phones and used for mobile ticketing and payment processing systems.

The Cupertino company is reportedly reluctant to introduce NFC because the technology lacks a unifying standard. Rather than adopt the current implementation of this technology, Apple is reportedly working on its own NFC system that would tie into iTunes. Though not confirmed, forms of this new technology have been hinted at in previous patent applications and job listings. This NFC alternative may be introduced with the iPhone 6 in 2012.

Google recently launched the Nexus S earlier this year with NFC technology and is working on bringing this technology to the masses. It has launched a small-scale initiative called Hotpot that lets business owners place an NFC-enabled sign in their storefront. This sign can be read by NFC-enabled handsets and provides the user with pertinent store information, such as hours of operation and menu items as well as special deals. If Apple brings its own technology to the market, we may have a modern day version of the beta war.

[Via Techradar]



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According to sources within the UK's largest wireless operators, Apple will not include NFC (Near Field Communication) technology in the...
 

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Vonshavingcream

I think its interesting how apple says they don't want this because there is not unifying standard. so to combat this ... they just create there own to add to the mix of un-unified standards. You would think they would be pushing and spending on unifying the format before just plowing ahead with there own tech.

March 28 2011 at 8:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
matos

Nice article !!

March 14 2011 at 11:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

YOU GUYS, I HEARD A RUMOR THAT THE IPHONE 5 MIGHT NOT HAVE A FEATURE IT WAS RUMORED TO HAVE. A RUMOR REFUTING A RUMOR!!


Seriously? "iPhone 5 rumored to not have NFC"? It's only a RUMOR that such a feature will ever be in an iPhone, so why not just ignore this? It's a rumor that a rumor is wrong! Ignore one or both!

March 14 2011 at 7:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Mike's comment
Mike

It would be different if the title was, "iPhone 5 rumored to not run iOS" or some other feature that was previously confirmed (like "iPhone 5 rumored to not have a touchscreen").

March 14 2011 at 7:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peter_T

Ugh... make their own? Integrate it into iTunes? I hate it when Apple does that.

March 14 2011 at 6:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

Uh, just trying to see if my commenting works. Sorry if it's a repost!
--
www.techviva.com

March 14 2011 at 4:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mack

There clearly is a need for a proper industry standard for NFC. Rather than fooling around doing their own thing, Apple and Google should take some leadership of the situation and put together an industry consortium.

The consortium should think - globally - not just in the US and maybe seek some representation from Europe, India, Russia - even China.

If enough people sat down and simply agreed on a standard from the outset then everyone could be a winner. Apple would still have the advantage of people going through an iTunes account to purchase goods, while others like PayPal and the banks, would be able to put their own unique slant on the same technology, which could work worldwide in every country.

Of course, such a solution may be too grown up for our top technology companies who do like to spar with one another a little too much.

March 14 2011 at 4:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to mack's comment
Pixelmatsch

Japan has a working systems in place with years of experience of interconnecting various types of cards and millions of people using it. Everyone could learn from them.

Ah hell, who am I kidding? It's a pissing contest and no one will learn anything from anyone.

March 14 2011 at 6:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pixelmatsch

Cards AND phones of course.

March 14 2011 at 6:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

I don't think this will be a make or break for anyone. It's nice to have extra features, but this won't stop the people who want the iPhone 5 from getting the iPhone 5.
--
www.techviva.com

March 14 2011 at 4:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Johnny

The only way I want NFC is if I can easily control wether it is off or on and trust that something is not turning it on in the background. I mean, I want to be able to pull the plug on the thing unless I tell it to work. I'd almost rather just have a tiny peripheral that plugs in and provides NFC so I can literally unplug it.

I'm not usually the paranoid type, but I've seen how easily these things can be sniffed.

March 14 2011 at 4:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
that guy

Although I would absolutely love this feature in the iPhone 5, I think I'd rather have a 4" screen.

March 14 2011 at 4:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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