VISA to bring NFC functionality to iPhone

Posted May 6th, 2010 at 7:48 pm EST by Eric Stern

According to a press release, that was taken down later, VISA is working with DeviceFidelity, a 2007 startup based in Dallas TX, to bring NFC (Near Field Communications) capabilities to the iPhone. The solution is a combination of a protective iPhone case with a secure memory card that hosts VISA’s contactless payment application called payWave. The technology will work for both iPhone 3G and 3GS devices. iPhone users will be able to make Visa mobile payments in retail stores, restaurants, taxis, during sporting events etc, and also make purchases at vending machines that have contactless payment terminals. The technology (without the case) will also work with a majority of smart phones that have a slot for a memory card. VISA has already rolled out a similar technology in Malaysia and Japan, where consumers can make mobile payments in stores and restaurants. The mobile payment application will be password protected and will utilize advanced security technology to uniquely identify each contactless transaction. If a mobile device is lost or stolen, account holders will contact their issuer, as they would if their credit card was lost or stolen. The issuer will be able deactivate the account immediately.

According to multiple patents filed recently, Apple is planning to bring NFC capabilities to the iPhone. On April 8, a patent revealed Apple’s plan for a Point of Purchase application with NFC technology. Then Apple revealed another patent that will allow iPhone to control multiple home devices. On April 22, a different patent revealed Apple’s plan to use iPhone for a traveling application. iPhone will have NFC capabilities to allow for easy ticket reservation and check-in. In a similar patent Apple plans to use iPhone to manage registration and attendance in events.

Source: NFC World

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VISA to bring NFC functionality to iPhone

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