NFC

Apple submits third FCC filing for its mystery Bluetooth and NFC device

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2017

Apple has submitted its third filing for a mystery Bluetooth and NFC device with the US Federal Communications Commission (FTC). The original “Wireless Device” was first uncovered in an FCC filing back in September 2016, with a second appearance last month.

The latest update concerns a device with the model number A1845 and is generally similar to Apple's prior submissions. The filing doesn't seem to be for Apple's rumored Siri-powered appliance akin to Amazon Echo wireless speakers because it lacks built-in Wi-Fi.

A mysterious wireless Apple device with Bluetooth and NFC has surfaced in an FCC filing

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 23, 2016

A mysterious low-powered wireless device from Apple has just passed testing by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and could be released in the United States in the next few months, according to an FCC filing that was first spotted by French blog Consomac.

It's designated by the model number “A1844”, includes both Bluetooth wireless functionality and built-in NFC and is rated at between 100mA and 700mA (from 5.5V to 13.2V).

Future Fitbit devices to gain support for NFC-based contactless payment technology

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2016

Fitbit, which makes fitness accessories, activity trackers and other wearable devices, just acquired payments hardware firm Coin, signaling its intent to enrich its product lineup with contactless payment features. That's right, your next Fitbit fitness tracker may let you pay for in-store purchases.

Leaked packaging confirms ‘iPhone SE’ name, 16GB baseline model and NFC for Apple Pay

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 17, 2016

Thursday, a photo of what appears to be Chinese packaging for Apple's upcoming four-inch iPhone refresh was posted on Chinese social network Weibo.

The image allegedly shows the specifications sticker affixed to the box for the upcoming device while specifically mentioning 'iPhone SE' branding.

The '16GB' label on the sticker suggests that the iPhone SE will start out at sixteen gigabytes of storage, just like current iPhone models do. Additionally, the technical specifications section mentions Apple Pay compatibility, meaning the iPhone SE will include NFC, like previously suspected.

Apple teams up with PayAnywhere for new Apple Pay card reader

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple on Thursday announced that it has teamed up with payment service PayAnywhere on a new mobile NFC card reader. It will attach to iOS devices, and support both traditional credit cards and those stored within Apple Pay.

The reader, which will be available exclusively in Apple Stores in September, will open the door for smaller businesses to begin supporting Apple Pay. PayAnywhere is easy to setup and there are no monthly fees to worry about.

Apple joins NFC Forum to help advance interoperability between NFC devices and services

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

NFC World is reporting that Apple earlier in the week joined the NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association that promotes implementation and standardization of the Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology in order to ensure interoperability between devices and services.

NFC, as you know, is at the heart of Apple Pay and other contactless payment systems and has been used on Android devices for easier sharing of content directly between devices.

The iPhone maker joined the organization as a top-tier sponsor and also has a seat on NFC Forum's Board of Directors, meaning it's now in a position to significantly influence the development of the NFC standard.

12.9″ iPad Pro rumored to feature stylus, NFC, Force Touch input, USB-C connector and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Apple's rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro is understood to include a number of interesting hardware features, including a Bluetooth stylus accessory, support for Force Touch input and a USB-C connector, AppleInsider has ostensibly learned from a person familiar with Apple's future product plans.

Dubbed by the press 'iPad Pro,' the device believed to be in the works should feature a larger 12.9-inch display, as rumored many times before. The timetable for release for this device is unknown at this point and AppleInsider is adamant that a number of changes are in tow to the iPad lineup.

Apple Pay gains support at 200,000 kiosks, vending machines and more

Jake Smith ∙ January 27, 2015

USA Technologies announced on Tuesday that it will be bringing Apple Pay support to 200,000 acceptance points, which includes owners and operators of coffee brewers, vending machines, kiosks, laundry equipment, parking pay stations and other self-serve appliances.

Verifone announces new point of sale hardware that could give Apple Pay big boost

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Verifone, a company that boasts it connects more than 27 million payment devices to the cloud, has announced a new point of sale (POS) system that aims to work with any smartphone on the market, and could be a huge boost for Apple to get Apple Pay more widely adopted in stores.

The PAYware Mobile e355, the newest mPOS terminal from Verifone, frees merchants from consumer technology upgrade cycles and adapts to multiple OS options, the company says. "It is a flexible, long-lasting device that can accommodate different form factors and outlive smartphone and tablet models."

Chevron to integrate Apple Pay at the pump in 2015

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Oil giant Chevron is working alongside Apple to develop solutions to integrate Apple Pay directly with its gas pumps in 2015, to allow customers to pay with their phone directly at the pump, the company revealed in a tweet on Monday.

Apple forming Apple Pay team in London to launch mobile payments in more countries

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple looks to be gearing up to bring its mobile payment service Apple Pay to countries in Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa, after a launch in the US in October. A job listing on Wednesday revealed Apple is forming a new team focused on Apple Pay at its London office, along with hiring an "Apple Pay Site Reliability Engineer" in China.

"Apple Pay is a new and exciting area in Apple that is set to expand across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa," the company wrote.

Apple wants to enable iPhone 6’s NFC for building security, public transit tickets and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 27, 2014

Most of the talk about NFC inside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has centered around Apple Pay, the iPhone maker's mobile payments service, but NFC has other uses, too. Android handsets typically use NFC for proximity-based wireless sharing and now The Information is reporting that Apple is considering adding more NFC-based features to the new iPhones, stuff like enabling secure access to buildings and transit fare systems.