Neil Hughes
Though the near-field communications chip in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is currently exclusively for Apple Pay, the wireless functionality may be expanded to new uses such as replacing a public transit card or a secure building access keycard.
Apple is said to have spoken with NFC technology providers HID Global and Cubic about potential future plans, according to The Information. In one example, an iPhone 6 could replace the "Clipper" card used for California's Bay Are Transit System, which relies on the same NFC-based technology used by Apple Pay.
"Apple could easily allow for Clipper cards to be uploaded into the phone, with key information stored in the phone's "secure element," along with bank cards used through Apple Pay, and let people tap their phones at the BART turnstiles to transmit the information to the card reader using the iPhone's NFC chip," reporter Amir Efrati wrote.
Currently, developers are not allowed to tap into the NFC chip found in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Its functions remain exclusively tied to Apple Pay, which launched with the release of iOS 8.1 last week.
Apple hasn't indicated any plans to open up NFC access in the future, and Monday's report suggested Apple may selectively partner in offering NFC support. But Apple initially restricted Touch ID support until the launch of iOS 8, which now allows developers to offer fingerprint-based access to their applications.
And while NFC is currently exclusive to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it will also be built into the upcoming Apple Watch, set to launch in early 2015. The Apple Watch offers compatibility with older iPhone models, including the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5, which will give those devices access to Apple Pay despite the fact that they do not feature NFC chips.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
34 Comments
This is what the beginning looks like: uncertain, messy, full of potential. I can't wait to see what this will lead to.
Next WWDC, Apple will open up NFC.. almost certainly.. barring any security/bugs anyway.. They usually lock new tech like this on initial release then open up later. Helps to bake this into the product first and sniff out possible bugs/security holes.. I'm perfectly fine with that...
The CTA's "Ventra" system, which is usually pretty awful, is based on NFC so you can already use Apple Pay to board the 'L' and Chicago buses. I've tried it and it works great, although I don't know how great it will be in the winter when you'll have to take off your gloves to use Touch ID. The Apple Watch will definitely be better for that.
But right now you can't add a multi-day pass to your iPhone because you would need the device account number which isn't displayed in full. You might be able to buy one at a vending machine, but I have mine set up for auto-reload so I haven't tried it.
Apple pay will work with iPhone 5S and 5 yet not 5C or IPads???
[@]pazuzu[/@] What? Apple Pay doesn't work with 5S or 5. Neither have NFC.