Almost all the major producers in the Smartphone arena are making sure the new products being released this year are NFC enabled; with one exception. Near Field Communication (NFC) phones are on the brink of turning mobile commerce and marketing on their heads. So why would Apple be holding out?
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology has stepped up recently as the forerunner with the most promising future in mobile commerce. Because of its flexibility to be more than just a “wave and pay” type system, ease of use and relatively low cost to implement.
Near Field Communication is a short range wireless technology that operates by frequency waves. The NFC chips operate in two parts. The one NFC that is in a store tag or poster just emits a certain frequency level. When someone with an NFC enabled device (like a Smartphone) gets close enough to it, the NFC in their device will recognize the signal and tune in, or answer.
This connects you with the information being held in the store tag or poster. Two phones that are NFC enabled can also connect together to share information, pictures or music. The NFC devices can also be used in actual brick and mortar stores to pay for goods, without needing cash, checks or credit cards.
The merchant just incorporates the option to pay by NFC (mobile device) along with other payment choices. The NFC is set up in a secure, safe way the same as other credit card methods. NFC set ups allow a person to purchase virtual tickets and “hold” them until they’re ready to use them.
When the technology is worked out and NFC systems are readily available in most cities, other applications could be using the mobile (NFC) device as electronic keys, travel cards or identity documents. Developers, merchants, mobile device producers; all of these people see the great potential (and money) in this technology.
So why is Apple still saying, “Not yet?” Are they getting complacent with their products? Could this be strategic, or could it be just a huge mistake on their part?
