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Apple Experimenting With RFID-Enabled iPhone Prototypes?

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Apr 12, 2001
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Near Field Communications World reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple is rumored to be testing a prototype of its next-generation iPhone equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The rumor comes from a "highly reliable source" who provided the information to Einar Rosenberg, Chief Technology Officer of Narian Technologies. Rosenberg writes:
Had to share this news. A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I'm told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.
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Apple has filed several patent applications related to RFID, which uses low-power radio waves to allow devices to interact over short ranges. The technology is currently being used in a number of settings, including electronic vehicle toll and mass transit system fare collection and contactless credit card transaction implementations.

Article Link: Apple Experimenting With RFID-Enabled iPhone Prototypes?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/05/apple-experimenting-with-rfid-enabled-iphone-prototypes/
That'd be pretty sweet.

Of course, there'll people who won't trust it, but is it any less secure than the piece of plastic in your wallet currently doing the job?
 
Very interesting. This would put Apple way ahead of anyone, if true.

Full quote from 9to5:

We’re not saying we’re 100 percent on the source - Near Field Communications - but we’ll relate what we’ve learned. Einar Rosenberg, who runs the Near Field Communications Group on Linkedin.com, claims as follows:

“A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I'm told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.”
Click to expand...
 
This will bring nothing but trouble. Drivers licenses, passports, credit cards, and everything else with RFID will be more and more at risk.
 
I have no idea what the heck RFID is and why we need it in an iPhone. Can anyone give an example of how this technology can be used in the iPhone?
 
Sounds awesome to me. I will not be truly happy until my iPhone can replace both my keys and my credit card!
 
Drumjim85 said:
This will bring nothing but trouble. Drivers licenses, passports, credit cards, and everything else with RFID will be more and more at risk.
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They used to say that about online banking and online shopping. Of course, using my credit card online is infinitely more secure than handing it over to a schmuck bartender at my local O'Maley's Pub.
 
hitekalex said:
They used to say that about online banking and online shopping. Of course, using my credit card online is infinitely more secure than handing it over to a schmuck bartender at my local O'Maley's Pub.
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RFID isn't secure. You can sit at a street corner with a reader and pick up people's pasport info without them knowing. Until they some how change that I'm totally against RFID.
 
hitekalex said:
They used to say that about online banking and online shopping. Of course, using my credit card online is infinitely more secure than handing it over to a schmuck bartender at my local O'Maley's Pub.
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Yeah, so long as you're confident some poor schmuck doesn't click the wrong e-mail ("Dear Chase subscriber. Your account may have been compromised. Please click on this convenient link to verify your account."; notice the generic "Chase subscriber", not personalized name). ;)

[phishing schemes]
 
Well having an RFID reader in the iPhone/iPod touch could simplify purchases instore if apple chipped all the products they sell.
 
I've worked in mobile communications RFID project. I can tell you the real application is in targeted advertising. Naturally you can do some nice and cool stuff with it but wast majority of partners are interested about the possibility of delivering targeted place of purchase advertising etc. From consumers standpoint I think the mobile communication manufacturers should pay for the RFID upgrade... :eek:
 
TheSpaz said:
I have no idea what the heck RFID is and why we need it in an iPhone. Can anyone give an example of how this technology can be used in the iPhone?
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Most common use is toll road or subway train passes. I have a card for the subway and box in my car for tolls Both are 'charged' by credit card payments when I want to add more money.

You could, with this, use your phone to gain access to a train and have your fare paid through iTunes (or something) instead of having a whole seperate account and card just for that.
 
mspy said:
Interesting. I wonder how this could be used. Thoughts?
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Thousands of possibilities. I hope for a RFID-Reader und -Sender
For example that could be used instead of a transponder as electric door opener
 
If I read this correctly, the possibilities are exciting. Combined w/ the app store, the possibilities are endless.
 
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