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iPhone 5 and iPad 2 will come with NFC built in, suggests well-connected analyst
You'll no doubt be aware of our (well justified) distrust for anything that passes a tech analyst's lips, but this time's a little different. Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group cites "engineers who are working on hardware" for Apple's latest project in asserting what that project actually is: NFC capabilities are apparently being built into the next generation of iPhone and iPad devices. Contactless payments via NFC have been steadily building up in hype and adoption recently -- at least in the western hemisphere, the stuff is commonplace in Japan -- and Doherty predicts Apple will make its move into the field with some new hardware and an accompanying "revamp" of iTunes. The idea would be to allow the use of iTunes gift card balances and the credit card info Apple already has from you to make swiping payments at compatible retail outlets. Apple is said to be planning enticements, like loyalty credits and points, to get you using its service in the place of the competition, and there are already a couple of software patent applications from the company detailing other potential uses for the technology. All of which could mean absolutely nothing, of course, but this seems like an awful lot of smoke for there not to be a fire under it.
Exclusive: The future of the iPad 2, iPhone 5, and Apple TV, and why Apple is shifting its mobile line to Qualcomm chipsets
We've been hearing a ton of rumors about what direction Apple's next set of products will take and when they'll be available -- but now we've got some concrete information from reliable sources which should make the path a little clearer. And that includes info on the next iPad, the iPhone 5, the second iteration of the new Apple TV, and a big change coming for all of the company's mobile products. Want to know the scoop? Read along after the break to get the goods.
Tweaked iPhone 4 parts discovered: an antenna fix, Verizon's iPhone, or the best KIRF ever?
This is a pretty bizarre video, but we watched the whole thing and we're prepared to comment: this is a pretty bizarre video. The folks at GlobalDirectParts somehow got ahold of iPhone replacement parts (a common story in Apple device leaks), and they've posted an in-depth video that illustrates the differences between this new set and regular iPhone 4 parts. Interestingly, nothing has been majorly tweaked, but there's a huge quantity of minor tweaks, primary in the internal wiring. Most notable are antenna adjustments, that are either an antenna fix, or, more likely, adjustments to optimize the antennas to work with Verizon's CDMA network. Other tweaks are bigger head scratchers, including a SIM slot (which wouldn't be necessary on Verizon, but wouldn't hurt anything either), and the removal of the rear camera hole (perhaps an extra SKU for enterprise use?). GlobalDirectParts isn't the only one to receive the tweaked parts, SmartPhone Medic made a similar score, so at least we know this isn't a one-off prank. We'll keep scratching our heads while you check out the video, located after the break. Update: So apparently Apple's yanked the video off YouTube, which may or may not be an indication for the part's authenticity. Anyhow, we've got you guys a backup video after the break.
iPhone 4 getting stickers in Japan for mobile payment solutions
NFC technology comes to the iPhone 4 thanks to the Japanese carrier SoftBank, which is offering Sony's FeliCa payment system for the iPhone 4. The system includes an NFC-enabled "seal" that affixes to the back of the iPhone 4 and is compatible with the official Apple bumper case. From the carrier's press release, the system functions independent of the iPhone, so you do not have to install specialized software for the system to work. Three different vendor systems will be available including those from WAON, Nanaco and Edy, a bitWallet solution. This NFC solution will be available for ¥2,980 (US$36) starting February 2011. Of course, iPhone customers interested in NFC technology may want to wait for the iPhone 5 to arrive. The next generation iPhone may include an integrated NFC chip that would let you use your smartphone as an electronic wallet, a security passkey or even an eTicketing device for concerts, conferences and more. Such capabilities would boost the iPhone above the Android-powered Nexus S, which is being used in an NFC pilot program for local businesses in Portland, Oregon. [Via Engadget]
Keepin' it real fake: iPhone 5 provides foresight to a falsified future (video)
Of course you knew this was coming, you probably just didn't expect it so soon. If Apple keeps up with its usual schedule, we don't expect an iPhone 4 successor to rear its head until summer 2011, but already some KIRF scientists are making forward-looking projections and produced what it thinks might be the KIRF iPhone to go tête-à-tête with the presumed iPhone 5. Resolution's apparently low, but it does its best to make up for it with dual SIM capabilities, WiFi, Bluetooth, a microSD slot, built-in camera with flash, an all-too familiar UI -- all at a price guaranteed to assuage regret: about 700 yuan (US $106). The future is now, why wait? Video after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Rumor: iPhone 5 will use NFC for remote computing
Imagine if you could fit all of your Mac's personality -- settings, documents, and even applications -- into your iPhone, and then be able to have any Mac turn into your Mac. According to a source who talked with Cult of Mac's Leander Kahney, the iPhone 5 is expected to allow you to easily perform this type of magic through a Near Field Communication (NFC) capability built into the device. NFC's initial use would be to turn the iPhone 5 into a passcode-protected electronic wallet or security passkey (like a SecureID fob) that would communicate via the short-range wireless technology to other compatible devices. Apple has recently hired a number of people who specialize in NFC and submitted patent applications for uses of the technology. Kahney's source said that Apple is working on a way of letting Mac users simply wave their NFC iPhone near an NFC-equipped Mac, and that other machine suddenly acquires the personality of their home or office Mac. If NFC Macs become commonplace in hotel rooms, offices, and other public locations, you wouldn't need to carry even a lightweight MacBook Air with you. Just with a wave of your NFC iPhone 5, you'd have your computer anywhere that there was a Mac. Once you walk away from the remote Mac, it reverts back to its initial personality, with all of your information disappearing from the Mac but securely stored on your iPhone. As with most rumors, there's a good chance that this technology might not make it to the next iteration of iPhone, but it would sure be an impressive and effective way to carry your Mac anywhere you go. [via MacDailyNews]
What will the iPhone 5 be made of?
The iPhone 4 has had its share of design-related issues. First, the external stainless steel wraparound antenna caused reception hiccups that resulted in the famous "antennagate" Apple event. Now that a much larger number of the phones are in the wild, there was a brief to-do about the relative likelihood of the iPhone 4's glass back scratching or breaking when the device is slipped into a slider case. Gdgt's Ryan Block later noted that Apple is preemptively working this issue from the engineering side, but that didn't stop the Macalope from chastising his eagerness to declare a new -gate scandal involving the phone's reliability. What could Apple possibly do with future iPhones to prevent similar hardware issues -- widely prevalent or once-in-a-blue-mood as they may be -- from cropping up once the devices are out of the corral? Blogger Raymond Wong at SyFy's Dvice site gave this question some thought in a post this morning, and he makes some suggestions about what materials the next and succeeding generations of iPhone might be made of. First, he thinks there could be a move back to plastic, since the material was used in the first three generations of iPhones, is transparent to cell phone signals, and is much more resilient to impacts. Next, he thinks that aluminum is "off the table for good," considering that it is opaque to cell phone signals and can be scratched, but he thinks there is a good chance that the materials made by Liquidmetal Technologies could be used. They remain scratch-free much longer than aluminum or steel, and could be used in an external antenna like that on the iPhone 4. Wong thinks that titanium and carbon fiber are also out of the question due to cost. Carbon fiber is extremely light, but can crack under shock, while titanium is strong and light, but tremendously expensive. What do you think the next generation of iPhones will be made of? At TUAW, we're still waiting for the new models made from unicorn tears and rainbows, but we'd like to hear your ideas in the comments.
iPhone 5 in the rumor mill
It seems like only yesterday that the iPhone 4 was released, but how time flies when you're having fun. With the whole antennagate issue mostly behind us, most folks are just settling down to getting the best out of their shiny new iPhone. After all, its only been around four months since it was released. So, with that in mind, it's hard to believe that talk of the next iPhone is already in circulation. Believe it or not, the rumor mill is once again churning out talk of Apple's next iteration of the iPhone - the enigma that is affectionately dubbed the iPhone 5. TechRadar has compiled a roundup of some of the hottest rumored features that we may see in the iPhone 5. Here's a brief summary of what they report, but remember, it's only speculation. Kicking us off, the iPhone 5 release is expected to be in June / July of 2011 because that's the time cycle that other iPhone releases have followed. However, iLounge has guessed that the next iPhone could be with us as early as January of next year (even they admit this is "hard to believe."). The reason for a January 2010 release of the next iPhone, simply put, would be to resolve, with new hardware, the now mostly blown over antennagate issue. Next up, there's been talk of the iPhone 5 being equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, essentially turning the iPhone 5 into a digital wallet (allowing you to make credit / debit card like payments with the phone). Apple has released a patent demonstrating such technology, but this was some time ago, so it's unclear as to whether Apple is planning this for deployment in the iPhone 5. Furthermore, the next iPhone is rumored to be evolutionary as apposed to revolutionary. Similar to the design shift from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 5 will be akin to the iPhone 4, but a beefed up version. Rumored specs are of a faster processor (1.2GHz), more memory and larger storage, and a 3.7' screen (as apposed to the current 3.5' one on the iPhone 4). The iPhone 5 may also be made of a new material, perhaps some kind of alloy. Oh, and of course, a revamped antenna! And, a big one here (note the sarcasm in my words), there's talk of the Verizon iPhone. TechRadar reports sources that have handled Verizon iPhone prototypes, though, according to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, that's not likely to happen. Verizon fans, let's hope you don't get let down again Finally, TechRadar reports that at least one analyst believes the iPhone 5 will support LTE super fast mobile broadband (in the U.S. anyway), which will make the iPhone 5 a 4G phone. Of course, this is all pure speculation and could amount to nothing more than a big whoosh of hot air. But then again, the next version of the iPhone is coming. Let the countdown begin.
Verizon CEO talks (more) about iPhone: 'we have to earn it'
So, Apple's talked about putting the iPhone on Verizon, Verizon wants the phone... why can't we get these two crazy kids together? Well, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg touched on that topic in a talk to investors at the Goldman Sachs conference today. "We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit. We would love to carry it when we get there, but we have to earn it," Seidenberg said, walking a fine line between complimenting the phone and making it clear that Verizon still has a good lineup. Ivan also mixed in a basketball analogy to sweeten the deal: "This is like the Knicks getting Carmelo Anthony. Like it would be very good if the Knicks got Carmelo Anthony. But they have to play the game whether they get Carmelo Anthony, right?" Ivan hinted heavily that Verizon's forthcoming 4G LTE network could be the golden ticket, and while this isn't a new theory, it's unclear (and a little disconcerting) if he's just as in the dark as we are as to whether or not Apple will come around once LTE is up and running. Still, he put on a brave face: "At some point, Apple will get with the program." Our suggestion? Bake Steve a cake. Couldn't hurt!
