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Apple Rolling Out New iBeacon Transmitters, NFC Readers to Apple Stores and Disney Stores

Sunday September 7, 2014 2:23 pm PDT by Richard Padilla
new_ibeacon_nfc Apple is rolling out near field communication (NFC) readers and updated versions of its iBeacon transmitters to its own stores and Disney Stores ahead of the launch of its mobile payments service and the iPhone 6, reports 9to5Mac.

The company will begin integrating new proximity beacons made by Gimbal that will provide more accurate iBeacon location tracking in its own stores, and roll out new payment systems to support the NFC capabilities on the iPhone 6 and its highly-anticipated wearable device.

The report also notes that Apple may be planning to roll out its own first-party iBeacon sensors in its retail locations, and could also provide or sell the transmitters to other retailers as an incentive to sign up for its new mobile payments service. An FCC filing earlier this year revealed that Apple was developing its own first-party iBeacon hardware, which may end up being the new hardware discussed in this latest report.

Disney's retail stores are also said to be receiving new credit card machines that support NFC, which will also likely integrate with Apple's new mobile payment service. Reports from this past week have also indicated that Apple will be partnering with a number of other retailers for the service, including Walgreens, CVS, Nordstrom and more.

Apple has also established deals with major credit companies such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and credit card issuers to support its mobile payments service.

Apple will likely unveil its mobile payments service on Tuesday, along with the new iPhone 6 and its highly-rumored wearable device. Apple's media event kicks off at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, and MacRumors will have full coverage as the event unfolds.

Tag: 9to5mac.com
[ 137 comments ]


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Nalmond92
56 months ago
This payment system has to launch worldwide. They can't afford to roll this out in America first. I mean we are still waiting for iTunes Radio n the UK
Rating: 23 Votes
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mikethebigo
56 months ago
The Fry "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY" picture will have to be updated. Cash will be obsolete.
Rating: 20 Votes
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Osullivan1
56 months ago

get closer...yes...come closer...you know you want me.

"iWatch"


Get a room...
Rating: 18 Votes
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appledes7
56 months ago

The Fry "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY" picture will have to be updated. Cash will be obsolete.


Rating: 13 Votes
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Milese3
56 months ago
Okay- so NFC is a given.
Rating: 8 Votes
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acslater017
56 months ago

Get a room...


Rating: 7 Votes
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skellener
56 months ago
So if only the iPhone 6 has NFC then the millions upon millions of existing iPhones out there won't be able to take advantage of it. So could the "iWatch" or whatever contain an NFC chip as well so that it becomes a "companion" device to the older iPhones and iPads so that they will be able to take advantage of the new payment system as well? Just a thought.
Rating: 5 Votes
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kdarling
56 months ago

e secure and more convenient means of paying for something with your credit card. No need to carry your card with you, and no risk if you lose your phone or it gets stolen, since TouchID and/or your [very strong] iCloud password are required to complete a payment.


Ironically, the recent history of fraud, in the era of stronger authentication, has gone against consumers.

You see, when it was just signatures, we were protected against fraud due to theft of our card or account number. So even though we were legally liable up to $50, in real life we usually don't get charged at all (if you report it right away).

Now, with more secure authentication like chip & PIN (and soon, TouchID, we suppose), if someone manages to spoof the system, it can be extremely difficult for the victim to prove it was not them.

So we, the consumer, were actually better off when it was less "secure". Now the credit card companies are the ones who will be more secure.

Such is progress.
Rating: 5 Votes
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stuffradio
56 months ago

This payment system has to launch worldwide. They can't afford to roll this out in America first. I mean we are still waiting for iTunes Radio n the UK


We're waiting for iTunes radio in Canada and we live next door...
Rating: 4 Votes
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groovyd
56 months ago

So if only the iPhone 6 has NFC then the millions upon millions of existing iPhones out there won't be able to take advantage of it. So could the "iWatch" or whatever contain an NFC chip as well so that it becomes a "companion" device to the older iPhones and iPads so that they will be able to take advantage of the new payment system as well? Just a thought.


absolutely sure it will.

i think the protocol will look like this...

put the watch on it senses it has been put on via heart rate sensor and notifications for authenticating payments pop up on the watch and iphone (always paired via BTLE for continuity), for phones with touch sensor you just touch it once and done the watch is authenticated to make purchases all day until removed. phones without touch sensor will enter password, same thing. you walk up to vendor register, beacon already knows you are ready for checkout, wakes the watch ready for payment. cashier rings up your total and you simply wave your watch over the nfc console, watch shows total and tap button to accept or swipe left to deny. receipt shows up in your passbook. process is the same for loyalty cards and rewards, movie tickets, etc.

the key here is you do not have to authenticate every purchase. it will be a one tap and done since the watch has never left your arm. take the watch off and it resets it's authentication.
Rating: 4 Votes

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