A report today from China suggests that Apple is preparing to reveal their Apple AirTag device. This is a device that works with wireless sensor technology to act as a "loss prevention tag" of sorts. Much like the many, many similar sorts of tags we've used and reviewed over the past decade, Apple's AirTag will likely work with NFC, Bluetooth, and/or Wi-fi connectivity.
Apple's Digital Key system will keep working even after the iPhone's battery runs out, though users will only have a few hours to get back to their vehicle. While only one car was confirmed during the streaming WWDC 2020 keynote today with Digital Key support today, in fact there are a lot more to look forward to - and some provisos to the system.
Apple revealed App Clips, a system where a bit of an app can be launched without downloading the entirety of an app. This feature was revealed with a bunch of iOS 14 elements and didn't seem to be all that extraordinarily important in the moment in which it was first shown. But given the oncoming launch of iPhone devices with 5G connectivity - there's a whole lot this system will do for developers and end-users in the short-term.
Wireless charging has finally become more known and accepted in the mobile market but it's still far from the universally-available convenience we imagine it to be. There's definitely a lot of room for improvement and competition but most of those focus on high-wattage technologies on high-end phones. That, unfortunately, leaves a lot of phones, accessories, and consumers out of the party, something that the curators of NFC technology are trying to change with its new Wireless Charging Specification or NFC WLC.
There has been a small but prominent rise in interest in e-paper technologies like E-Ink due to their simplicity, energy-efficiency, and extensibility. Tablets and even phones using this kind of display are no longer unheard of, though rare, and that represents just one innovation in that field. Another, courtesy of a company named "Waveshare" is looking into how digital paper screens can operate without any batteries. All they will need is an NFC receiver.
The latest beta version of iOS 13.4 was released this week with reference to code for a system called CarKey. Apple Watch and iPhone users that are capable of working with this software will be able to use NFC to unlock certain cars - just so long as they're authorized. This system also suggests that users will eventually be able to use Apple Watch and/or iPhone devices to start cars without need for a separate key.
We're fast approaching the time when students across the country will be heading back to school. When that happens, students at 12 universities here in the US will find that they have access to Apple Wallet support for their student IDs. That, of course, means that they'll be able to load their student IDs onto their phones and then use it at contactless readers around campus.
I can't say for sure - because nobody knows for sure - but I'm calling it right now: Hot Wheels ID just stole Christmas. Using a bit of the magic summoned by the Apple x Anki Overdrive remote control car toy collaboration and some established-brand PR power - plus some features over which kids will likely flip their lid - Hot Wheels ID just struck gold. Again, I'm just making some informed guesses here - but take a look and see what you think.
Contactless technology like NFC conjure up images of simply and lightly tapping on surfaces to initiate an action, be it authentication or even payment. What those scenarios don't often include is the initial setup that has to be done beforehand, like downloading an app and signing into a service. Apple, however, seems to be leading the way towards that the true realization of that fantasy with NFC tags that trigger Apple Pay, all without setting up anything other than Apple Pay first.
There are technologies that, at first blush, seem to be the best thing since sliced bread. After years of use, or non-use rather, they turn out to be not so useful after all. One such thing is the NFC-based sharing system known as Android Beam, an almost forgotten feature that will no longer be part of Android Q's release. While not a total loss, its removal sadly leaves Android handicapped in the short-range content sharing department.
Back before today's Apple reveal event, an interesting rumor made the rounds, claiming that Apple was going to launch a credit card of its own. As it turns out, that rumor was correct, as Tim Cook just announced a new service called Apple Card. There's a lot to this announcement, so let's dive into all that Apple reveal today.
This week the folks at Target announced they'd be bringing multiple new payment types to their stores. That'll include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and contactless cards from Discover, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. This comes ALL AT ONCE this year after Target's early attempts at creating their own payment solution in the Target App, started in 2017.