Apple finally moves into the mobile commerce sector
Apple has been taking a slow and steady approach to the matter of mobile commerce. The company faced harsh criticism from consumers recently due to the fact that it did not include NFC technology in the iPhone 5. Moreover, the company refuses to support NFC technology in any significant fashion, which keeps most Apple devices away from the realm of mobile commerce. While third parties have brought mobile commerce to these devices, Apple itself remains cautious on how to approach the issue due to concerns regarding security.
iCloud Keychain revealed by Apple
Despite Apple’s caution, the company has released its first authentic mobile commerce platform, called the iCloud Keychain. The iCloud Keychain exists as a sort of mobile wallet, upon which consumers can store a variety of information, such as passwords and financial details. This information can then be used across several Apple devices to log into websites or make purchases online. The platform does not support NFC technology as it exists as an application rather than a physical device, but it will allow Apple consumers to participate in mobile commerce to some degree.
Company’s worries over security continue
Apple’s caution regarding mobile commerce is due to the serious security concerns that the company has. Mobile commerce is not only popular with consumers; it is also very popular with hackers that are looking to exploit the financial information of consumers. Most mobile commerce platforms are based on NFC technology, which Apple believes to be insecure by nature. Because Apple has little trust in the security of NFC, the company has been working to find an adequate alternative to the technology while ensuring that the financial information of consumers is kept safe.
Apple remains cautious of mobile commerce
Apple has flaunted its ambitions in the mobile commerce realm in the past, but the company is in no rush to compete with others in this emerging field. Those that have rushed into the mobile commerce field have been met with several challenges that have proven very difficult to overcome. Apple is currently observing the sector to keep track of these challenges and finding solutions based on the examples provided by other companies.
Mobile commerce may be supported by the next iPhone
The world of mobile technology continues to move at break-neck speeds. Roughly six months after the launch of the iPhone 5, there are rumors circulating through the technology world concerning the next iteration of Apple’s iPhone. Apple is almost certainly working on a new mobile device, but whether it will be a new iPhone has yet to be revealed. The company has been looking to hire new talent that could hint toward the possible future of the iPhone, however, especially its future in the realm of mobile commerce.
Job listings hint at possible uses for AuthenTec technology
Several job listings for Apple are calling to software engineers and other talented individuals. One of these postings is for a position in Apple’s Melbourne Design Center in Florida, where AuthenTec is located. AuthenTec is a security company that Apple acquired in 2012 and Apple has been leveraging the company’s security solutions in order to ensure that mobile devices as protected against malicious attacks. These solutions could come in handy as Apple begins to take mobile commerce more seriously.
Apple backs away from mobile commerce with iPhone 5
In the months before the official launch of the iPhone 5, Apple had hinted that mobile commerce would be a significant focus for the new mobile device. Rumors suggested that the iPhone 5 would be equipped with NFC technology, making it capable of facilitating mobile transactions. This was not the case, however, as Apple adopted a slow and steady approach to the issue of mobile commerce, suggesting that NFC technology was simply not secure enough for the company’s interests in this particular field. While the iPhone 5 has not become the mobile payments platform that many consumers had hoped for, Apple has not abandon its interest in mobile commerce in any significant way.
Security solution could make mobile payments secure through a new iPhone
Apple has recently acquired trademarks for “AuthenTec” and “KeepSafe,” the latter of which refers to a security solution that may be a prominent feature of a future iteration of the iPhone. KeepSafe is a fingerprint enabled application that allows users to encrypt digital information. This information can only be accessed through fingerprint scan, making this information exceptionally secure as it can only be accessed by the owner of the fingerprint on file. This could add a significant layer of protection for Apple’s mobile commerce endeavors if the company has plans to make a future iPhone with mobile payment capabilities.
