iPhone with NFC may help sync apps, saved files

A rumor on Friday may have shed light on a possible NFC iPhone Mac syncing feature. The reportedly close source had the feature dependent on a combination of Mac OS X Lion, the Mac App Store, and MobileMe. On talking to the host Mac, the iPhone would identify which apps its user owned from the Mac App Store and download them; apps would auto-save to MobileMe and would let users pick up from where they left off when they got back home, Cult of Mac said.

When users break the connection, the apps would be deleted as the computer reverts to its previous state, according to the tip. The auto-revert was reportedly pegged to the end of the NFC link, though the technology only stays connected within a few inches of the transceiver. A more practical option may be a manual sign-out on the Mac or bringing the iPhone back into an NFC link to sign off.

iPhones with NFC are believed still in testing, but the rumor source gave a wide target by warning that wasn't clear whether it was the iPhone 5 for this year or a subsequent model. Mac OS X Lion supposedly already has the code, though it would need Macs with built-in NFC for the technology to work. A chance exists the technology might not go live.

Apple has been rumored adding NFC for awhile and has had corroborating rumors of going beyond payments. It has also acknowledged that it plans a major MobileMe upgrade in spring that most believe will also include media syncing across devices.

The expansion, if true, would be a way to both keep up known and expected NFC implementations from Google, Nokia, and RIM, as well as a way to differentiate the Apple experience by having iPhones improve computing, not just shopping.

By Electronista Staff