iWatch With Curved OLED Display to Include NFC for Mobile Payments

iwatch_concept_ifoyucouldseeApple's upcoming "iWatch", reportedly set to be unveiled at next Tuesday's media event, will include near field communications (NFC) technology, according to The Wall Street Journal. The technology, which has already been seen on a leaked iPhone 6 logic board, will likely be used to support a mobile payments initiative.

NFC wireless is central to Apple's plans to incorporate so-called tap-to-pay into its mobile devices, allowing users to pay for goods and services using credit cards stored with iTunes, people close to Apple said.

The report goes on to claim the iWatch will be available in two sizes and carry a curved OLED display. And as extensively rumored, the device will include a variety of health and fitness sensors.

The report also reiterates recent claims that while the iWatch will be unveiled next week, it will not begin shipping until somewhat later, perhaps not until early 2015.

People familiar with Apple's plans said it is unlikely that Apple will release the smartwatch this year, because the Cupertino, Calif., company is still working out engineering kinks in production. Earlier in the year, Apple had targeted a November release, these people said.

One person familiar with Apple's suppliers said there is "no way" that it will be able to ship the iWatch this year. However, Apple hasn't changed its timetable for component suppliers that are shipping parts as scheduled to Taiwan's Quanta Computer Inc., the proposed device's manufacturer.

Sources indicate Apple will accept pre-orders for the iWatch, but timing and pricing are unknown. A previous report from Re/code claimed Apple has been weighing pricing in the $400 range, although some models would be cheaper.

(Image: iWatch concept from ifyoucouldseethefuture.com)

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

Dilster3k Avatar
118 months ago
I'll be definitely watching out for this, only time will tell if it'll be good.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jrswizzle Avatar
118 months ago
I hope so! This is where NFC for mobile payments SHOULD be. If I have to pull my phone out of my pocket, why not just pull out my wallet?

Waving my wrist seems more efficient.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arran Avatar
118 months ago
Not that mock mockup again!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DipDog3 Avatar
118 months ago
How does Touch ID come into play?

Wasn't the whole thing about Touch ID was to use it for mobile payments?

How is that going to work on a watch?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Enabledobject Avatar
118 months ago
Not that mock mockup again!

Yeah, I thought we agreed to never show that mockup again.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Frankied22 Avatar
118 months ago
All of these mockups look like trash.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

iPhone 15 Models Feature New Setting to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%

Tuesday September 19, 2023 2:04 pm PDT by
All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times when enabled, as confirmed by The Verge's Allison Johnson during a Q&A session today. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more...
iOS 17 and iPhones Feature

iOS 17: 10 New Features That Just Launched

Sunday September 17, 2023 12:35 pm PDT by
In June, Apple announced iOS 17 with a wide range of new features and changes for the iPhone. Following over three months of beta testing, the free software update will be released this Monday, September 18 for the iPhone XS and newer. Below, we have recapped 10 key features coming to the iPhone with iOS 17, with additional features coming later this year. The update should be released to...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...