NFC

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Over the last few years, support for Apple Pay has slowly spread across the retail landscape. Though it seems to be supported at most large retailers these days, there are still a few hold-outs who have yet to bite. CVS was famously one of these early holdouts, but all of that is changing today, as the nationwide pharmacy chain has finally flipped the switch on Apple Pay support.

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Apple Wallet already supports a number of different cards, whether those are credit cards, loyalty cards, coupons, or transit passes. Today, however, Apple is beginning a pretty major expansion for Wallet by rolling out support for student IDs. At first, this launch will be small-scale, but of course, the hope is that more universities begin supporting Apple Wallet on a wider scale in the near future.

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I've got the bigger version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch right here, in black, and I'm going to tell you about it. I got the device in the mail today from Samsung. Over the next few days (and beyond) I'll be giving this device the once-over, looking at all the intricate bits and pieces, detailing everything I find out and everything I find interesting. To begin, there's the device's nature, very shiny and chrome.

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Apple is preparing to loosen its tight grip on the iPhone's NFC, with reports that the firm plans to give developers access to the secure wireless chip. First added to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus back in 2014, NFC - or Near Field Communications - was used for Apple Pay, the company's mobile payments system.

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