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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...

AuthenTec tells clients to buy fingerprint sensors elsewhere in 2013

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Earlier in the summer, smart sensor maker AuthenTec agreed to be bought by Apple for $356 million. Still pending approval, the transactions left even the seasoned watchers scratching their head.

People began wondering whether Cupertino might leverage AuthenTec's fingerprint sensors to bolster enterprise security in iOS devices. Or, perhaps, Apple was keen on tapping AuthenTec's sensors to add consumer features to iPhones, iPods and iPads, the stuff like finger-based unlock or a secure e-wallet service.

The deal remains shrouded in a veil of secrecy because Apple isn't talking much and neither is AuthenTec. A report out this morning claims that AuthenTec's current clients are "in a state of panic" as the company is telling them it will stop offering its technology and NFC/fingerprint sensors as of next year...

Phil Schiller explains why the iPhone 5 doesn’t have NFC

Cody Lee ∙ September 12, 2012

This year, similar to years past, a lot of folks expected to see Apple add NFC to its new smartphone. And even after previous reports all but ruled out the tech, a last minute scoop made it a possibility again.

Alas, the iPhone 5 event came and went, with no mention of Near Field Communications. And the company has since confirmed that the handset does not contain the wireless payment tech. Here's why...

Chronic claims the iPhone 5 has NFC chip

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

A well-known iOS developer with a strong track record of Apple reporting took to Twitter this morning to argue that prototypes of Apple's next iPhone do contain a Near-Field Communication (NFC) sensor inside. This shouldn't be deciphered as the definite proof of an NFC-enabled iPhone 5 as Apple and other handset makers often test several device prototypes before settling on one model.

Furthermore, even if the iPhone 5 has NFC, this should not be confused with an NFC-driven mobile payment system. We also know from Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller's interview with the Wall Street Journal (Apple's unofficial mouthpiece) that digital wallet mobile-payment services are “all fighting over their piece of the pie", adding that "we aren’t doing that"...

Poll: what’s this square thing inside the iPhone 5 for?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

A set of four new high-quality photographs have emerged, seemingly depicting the complete front assembly of Apple's next iPhone, due for unveiling at a San Francisco media event next Wednesday. These new images provide a detailed look at a square chip which leaked earlier and prompted pundits to speculate that it houses a Near-Field Communications (NFC) sensor, later debunked by the eagle-eyed experts over at AnandTech.

One of the theories has it that this thing is a fingerprint sensor, based on Apple's hasty $356 million acquisition of smart sensor maker AuthenTec. There are other possible answers to this mystery and I couldn't help myself collecting all the plausible possibilities in an amusing poll, included right below...

New report rules out NFC for next-gen iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ August 28, 2012

Bad news today for folks who were hoping that near field communications technology, or NFC, would make it into the new iPhone. It looks like the tech is a no-go for Apple's next smartphone.

Theories for the tech picked up steam yesterday when a square chip inside a leaked iPhone 5 part was identified as an NFC sensor. But according to a new report, it's not happening this year...

Claimed iPhone 5 parts reveal possible NFC chip

Cody Lee ∙ August 27, 2012

Surprise, surprise, another purported iPhone 5 component was leaked over the weekend. Late last night, an assembled front panel with Home button and FaceTime camera surfaced on the web.

But unlike the claimed parts we've been seeing as of late, this one might actually give us some worth-while insight. It houses an unknown square sensor, which some folks believe to be an NFC chip...

Making the case for an NFC-enabled iPhone 5

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Over the years, we have become accustomed to Apple's, mostly Steve's, "one more thing..." announcements following major keynote presentations. For those of you unfamiliar with the "one more thing" additions, they often come as a closing cherry on top of an already excellently run presentation. However, even though these additions are just thrown on at the end, they have been major product changes or even whole products themselves. Even Wikipedia celebrates this tactic, calling the Apple presentation's "Stevenotes."

While we have not enjoyed any Steve-inspired "one more thing..." announcements since his passing, Apple still enjoys keeping their newest and most ground breaking features an absolute secret. The upcoming September 12th keynote, which is yet to be officially announced, is now rumored to be solely about the iPhone 5 and potential iPod updates. So that leaves me guessing, what is next? The final killer announcement at the upcoming iPhone event will certainly be excellent, as many news sources have speculated the iPhone 5 announcement will be one of the largest in mobile history. After scouring through news and even analyzing patent images, we may be looking at Near Field Communication as the final knock-out punch...

iOS devices could gain NFC and fingerprint sensors from AuthenTec

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Apple's unexpected $356 million acquisition of mobile security and smart sensors experts AuthenTec was finalized with an unusual urgency as the transaction will likely result in future iOS devices getting advanced built-in fingerprint and NFC sensors. Furthermore, it would seem Apple's offer to AuthenTec even included an IP agreement giving Apple rights to use AuthenTec's patents on an exclusive basis and even license them out to third-parties...

Major US carriers, Google form mobile payments alliance, Apple not on board

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 13, 2012

In another sign that the industry has high expectations for mobile payments, four major carriers in the United States along with Google and a bunch of other players have struck a mobile payments alliance called Mobile Payments Committee.

The initial members include carriers AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile USA, but also Google, Isis, VeriFone and PayPal, in addition to financial institutions Wells Fargo and Capital One plus credit card giants American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.

Apple is conspicuously absent from the list, as is mobile payment startup Square, which last week announced an interesting partnership with Starbucks. The iPhone maker, of course, is believed to be putting NFC circuitry inside the next iPhone and just recently acquired NFC and smart sensors maker AuthenTec for $356 million...