Apple seeks partners to enable NFC-based transit payments & building access for iPhone 6 & Watch

Posted:
in iPhone edited October 2014
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.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 34
    This is what the beginning looks like: uncertain, messy, full of potential. I can't wait to see what this will lead to.
  • Reply 2 of 34
    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...
  • Reply 3 of 34

    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.

  • Reply 4 of 34
    pazuzupazuzu Posts: 1,728member
    Apple pay will work with iPhone 5S and 5 yet not 5C or IPads???
  • Reply 5 of 34
    [@]pazuzu[/@] What? Apple Pay doesn't work with 5S or 5. Neither have NFC.
  • Reply 6 of 34
    "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."

    It is actually BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).
    http://www.bart.gov
  • Reply 7 of 34



    How about a case for the 5S with built in NFC.  With an iOS update it would do Apple Pay.

  • Reply 8 of 34
    Apple Pay will only work with iPhone 5, 5c and 5s with the iIWatch when it comes out next year and for those that want to tell me I am wrong please do your research as it is posted on Apple's webpage.
  • Reply 9 of 34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



    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.

     

    Apple Pay is slightly more secure but NFC is not exclusive to iPhones. 

     

    I hope Apple gets on this fast. I want to use my phones for everything using NFC

  • Reply 10 of 34
    thedbathedba Posts: 762member

    Solutions such as this can not come fast enough IMO.

    Anything to help reduce the "bulging wallet syndrome" that many of us suffer. 

  • Reply 11 of 34
    misamisa Posts: 827member
    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.

    <div align="center"><img src="http://cdn1.appleinsider.com/gallery/10491-2732-140916-NFC-l.png" alt="" class="lazy" data-original="http://cdn1.appleinsider.com/gallery/10491-2732-140916-NFC-l.png" pagespeed_url_hash="675927318" style="display: inline;"></div>

    Apple is said to have spoken with NFC technology providers HID Global and Cubic about potential future plans, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/Apple-Eyes-New-Uses-for-NFC-Beyond-iPhone-Payments">according to</a> <em>The Information</em>. 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.

    The Translink system in Metro Vancouver, BC, uses Cubic but they have yet to actually turn the system on. Assuming they ever do, they could enable Apple Pay on it (It uses the same NFC hardware system that London Transport uses, though TFL allows payment via credit cards, where as Translink does not.)

    This comes back to the tracking data aspect. Translink wants the Compass card to do a tap-on/tap-off system, while I don't know how Clipper or the Oyster card works for tracking that data. They also have "caps" set so that someone who is using transit all day doesn't get burned for hundreds of dollars on many short trips.
  • Reply 12 of 34
    chadbagchadbag Posts: 1,999member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SirLance99 View Post

     

     

    Apple Pay is slightly more secure but NFC is not exclusive to iPhones. 




    The statement you "objected" to was in the context of the iPhone, so is correct.  Only iPhone 6 and 6 plus have NFC (in that context).

     

  • Reply 13 of 34
    chadbagchadbag Posts: 1,999member

    Apple would not have to open up NFC in order to add in transit.  If they were doing it first person, like they did with Apple Pay.

  • Reply 14 of 34
    haggarhaggar Posts: 1,568member

    Anyone know the storage capacity of the secure element, like how many credit cards and passes it is capable of storing?

  • Reply 15 of 34
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by auburnj View Post

     



    How about a case for the 5S with built in NFC.  With an iOS update it would do Apple Pay.


    Get an iWatch or upgrade to 6s :-)

  • Reply 16 of 34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SirLance99 View Post

     

    Apple Pay is slightly more secure but NFC is not exclusive to iPhones. 

     


     

    youre on an apple enthusiast site reading about apple tech in apple products. its implied that this is referring to apple devices, not other smartphones. thus within this context, the statement is correct.

  • Reply 17 of 34
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post



    This is what the beginning looks like: uncertain, messy, full of potential. I can't wait to see what this will lead to.

     

     

    The middle.

  • Reply 18 of 34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Adrayven View Post



    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...

     

    Been in the kitchen recently?

     

    Judging by your username, you are an aardvark and have a keen interest in sniffing out bugs...

  • Reply 19 of 34
    auburnj wrote: »

    How about a case for the 5S with built in NFC.  With an iOS update it would do Apple Pay.

    Apple is unlikely to support something like that due to the security issue and it will cannabalize the watch
  • Reply 20 of 34
    eacumm wrote: »
    Apple Pay will only work with iPhone 5, 5c and 5s with the iIWatch when it comes out next year and for those that want to tell me I am wrong please do your research as it is posted on Apple's webpage.

    You are wrong. There is no such thing as an iWatch. You claim to have read apples website so you should know this.
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