Apple awarded patent for new technology
Apple may have caught a lot of flak for not including NFC technology in the iPhone 5, but the company’s decision to forgo the technology does not mean it is not interested in NFC. The next iteration of the iPhone may be equipped with NFC technology, or a nearly identical technology that is developed by Apple itself. This is according to a new patent that has been awarded to Apple by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Company receives harsh criticism for decision to avoid NFC technology
NFC technology is all the rage in the mobile world right now because of its capabilities in commerce and data exchange. Samsung has made headlines with its NFC-enabled Galaxy S III and Apple fans were hoping that the new iPhone would be able to compete on the same level as Samsung’s latest device. Apple fans were disappointed, however, when the company announced that the iPhone 5 would not be equipped with NFC technology. This led to harsh criticisms, but Apple is not abandoning the technology entirely like many have speculated.
Patent highlights technology very similar to NFC
According to the new patent, Apple is currently developing a device that makes use of a proximity technology, either NFC or one developed by the company itself. If the patent is not in reference to NFC technology, Apple will be developing something very similar that is capable of facilitating wireless data transfers between mobile devices. Speculation suggests that this technology would be included in the next version of the iPhone.
New technology may be suitable for Apple’s interests in mobile commerce
Apple chose to sidestep NFC technology due to concerns regarding security. The technology itself does not boast of any stellar security features, leading Apple to believe that its use in mobile commerce and data exchange is too ambitious. If Apple decides to develop its own technology, it will likely feature a variety of security measures that will make its use in mobile commerce more viable and appealing to consumers worries about the protection of their financial information.
Global augmented reality market forecasts from Mind Commerce
Mind Commerce, a leading market research and consultancy firm, has released a new report concerning the global augmented reality market. The report, titled “Augmented Reality: Global Market Analysis and Forecast 2012-2017,” highlights the various trends that exist in the global market and provides some insight on why augmented reality may be growing so popular. Mind Commerce suggests that one of the reasons augmented reality is becoming so popular is because of the large number of smart phones and high-tech mobile devices currently available.
Report ties growth of global augmented reality market to rise of smart phones
According to the report, Mind Commerce suggests that augmented reality is currently a niche market opportunity. The technology is capable of presenting consumers with a wide array of digital content and entertainment. Because the entertaining aspects of augmented reality are so prolific, the technology has seen limited practical use, thus is less appealing than other interactive technologies that can provide practical services. This is likely to change, however, as companies like Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm begin finding new ways to make use of augmented reality.
Growth may be powered by government interests and cloud computing technology
The report predicts that the global augmented reality market will see exceptional growth over the next several years. Developers of augmented reality applications are expected to benefit greatly from the growth the market experiences, especially as the world’s governments begin showing more interest in the technology. Cloud computing is also expected to contribute to the growth of the augmented reality market, enabling more robust services to become available to consumers.
Mind Commerce offers glimpse at trends directing global augmented reality market
Mobile technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Demand amongst consumers for new, highly powerful mobile devices is rising. As technology becomes more advanced, the possible uses of augmented reality continue to expand. The report from Mind Commerce aims to forecast the advances made in the augmented reality field over the next few years, providing those interested in the report with some insight on the trends that are affecting the market.
