Hmmm... if that's true, I wonder if it's clever. I don't see NFC taking off just yet, but could definitely picture is going mainstream within the next 6-12 months. Not sure if it's a good call to be late to the game or skip this (like Blu-Ray) altogether.

I agree...it would be the right time and feature to promote NFC in the iPhone 5. Unless Apple knows a bit more about some NFC shortcomings, I'm not too happy about the decision to exclude it.

NFC is the new "bag of hurt" that Apple is avoiding. Security issues, lack of retail infrastructure (in the U.S.), lack of consumer demand (in the U.S.), and added hardware + iOS complexity and cost may be some of the reasons that Apple isn't doing NFC-based mobile contactless payments.

If Apple can do it all in software, then they will. Without the need for any additional hardware (despite the low cost of NFC components).

Originally Posted by SockRolid

NFC is the new "bag of hurt" that Apple is avoiding. Security issues, lack of retail infrastructure (in the U.S.), lack of consumer demand (in the U.S.), and added hardware + iOS complexity and cost may be some of the reasons that Apple isn't doing NFC-based mobile contactless payments.
If Apple can do it all in software, then they will. Without the need for any additional hardware (despite the low cost of NFC components).

I agree completely. Why shove another battery-sucking radio in there? Leave it out. I'd rather see a QR-code scanning system instead. One-time use codes, can't be easily scanned by people nearby, and less complexity than NFC.

NFC not only is a bag of hurt from infrastructure point of view in the US but consider that the iPhone 5 will be sold all over the world. Not every country is going to use the same standards for NFC technology let alone the same credit card providers so including it in a phone would be a waste in many countries. Also, which credit card processor would Apple partner with in each country? Couldn't that cause possible anti-trust issues for Apple in some countries?

The only reason why Android is going with NFC in some countries is because it is so fragmented already that the OEMs can offer regional phone models with that feature each with distinct credit card types whereas Apple likes to target the globe with one model.

I have no interest in an NFC phone unless if it can be programmable by the end user somehow to emulate a specific credit card on the fly and have it work in multiple countries but even then I might prefer to keep it disabled and use my phone as a phone and my wallet as my wallet and not mix the two.

Apple might have decided that Bluetooth is the way to go for payments. In any case, I'm looking forward to the day when I don't need to carry my wallet around. I always have my phone.

Apple rather is making room for location-based video disabling... Imagine your video recording disabled by the police, government, or any other authority because they want to and have the technology to do so. Thank Apple for this one. F crApple

I am not an Apple fan, and I hope this fone doesn't have NFC. That would be just the sort of mistake I would expect an over confident company to make. This will give the market a chance to settle down for a bit.

The new Nokia phone will have NFC, Optical Image Stab, Glove touch, and Wireless charging, LTE,and Windows Phone 8, which will make it real easy for developers to build apps from desktop to tablet to phone that all have NFC. The upcoming year will likely see a shift to begin in the smartphone industry.

NFC is for more than just Wallet, it enables 'tap to pair'' and 'tap to share' scenarios.. the security concern is really non existent, if the software requires on to confirm NFC transactions.

I do expect to downplay it and even warn against it if they don't have it in their phones. They wouldn't be Apple if they didn't.