Tag: apple

Biometrics may bring Apple into mobile commerce

| August 26, 2013

Apple could enter into mobile commerce arena with biometric technology

Apple may be gearing up to make a strong push into the mobile commerce sector. The company has had an interest in mobile payments for some time, but has taken a cautious approach to mobile commerce due to concerns regarding NFC technology. Apple had claimed that the technology was simply not capable to meet its needs and had been looking for an effective alternative. The company may have found that alternative in biometrics.

AuthenTec technology may be a boon for Apple

In 2012, Apple acquired AuthenTec, a company that had specialized in using biometric technology for security purposes. The acquisition gave Apple access to the company’s technology and enables Apple to make use of this technology as it sees fit. AuthenTec’s fingerprint sensors were particularly attractive to Apple, which believes such technology could be an effective way to make mobile commerce more secure. Such technology could also make security for mobile devices somewhat more convenient as it would eliminate the need for consumers to input their passwords multiple times a day.

Apple - mobile commerce and mobile paymentsiPhone 5S photos suggest changes to hardware

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 5S later this year and leaked images of the device have recently found their way to the Internet. These images show some modest changes to iPhone hardware, suggesting that there may be room for biometric technologies and other, similar features. There is no guarantee that this will be the case, of course, as Apple has a track record of making drastic renovations to iPhone hardware before the official launch of a new generation of these devices.

Apple shows some interest in mobile commerce

Rumors had suggested that the iPhone 5 would be equipped with NFC technology, but Apple dispelled these rumors and garnered harsh criticism from consumers due to the fact that the device did not feature NFC support. The lack of NFC technology has kept the iPhone 5 from serving as a mobile commerce platform. This has set Apple somewhat behind other companies in this sector, but Apple may soon be able to make a powerful entry into mobile commerce if its biometrics initiatives are successful.

Apple takes a swing at mobile commerce

| June 15, 2013

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.

Apple takes swing at mobile commerceCompany’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.