Recently reports have surfaced downplaying NFC technology in the iPhone 5, but were they referencing on-device hardware or current software implementation? In addition, new rumors have surfaced concerning Apple expanding file system, and USB support to perhaps enable greater music functionality.
First, NFC. Recently Anandtech theorized that the iPhone 5, due to its design, would be unlikely to support NFC (near field communications), and the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple had abandoned NFC payments, at least for now. Well sourced developer Will Strafach, however, says that at least one of the iPhone 5 prototype units, N42AP (which he assumes is the CDMA version), had NFC hardware in it, and thinks it's unlikely Apple would strip it out.
all of you annoying doubters of a certain technology being present in the new iPhone, all I will say is: gpio12. I have no way of knowing what will be in the production models, but there would be no reason to remove a major technology that was in an EVT
clarification: N42AP had NFC. I am assuming that if that's CDMA and N41AP is GSM, they both will have it. no reason for just CDMA to. People don't understand other uses, which is quite annoying. much more than just payments.
Apple has had things like FM radios in hardware and never made the feature accessible to users, so it's possible that NFC hardware does indeed exist and that Apple simply isn't using it at this time, or using it for something other than mobile payments or what's traditionally seen as an NFC feature.
Next, developer Jack Perry says iOS 6 includes:
Support for ‘nero’ and ‘yamaha’ USB support.
MSDOS/Fat filesystems.
And, concerning the rumored panorama feature:
Also, the next iPhone will have a software locked panorama feature. Basically a updated version of the one in iOS 4+
The USB support could help increase compatibility with keyboards and other music peripherals. Apple has also software limited features in the past, for example making video recording exclusive to the iPhone 3GS in 2009 or Siri exclusive to the iPhone 4S in 2011. Typically this is to ensure adequate users experience.
Only a few hours remain, so if anything else pops up, we'll add it here. Make sure to join us for our full event coverage via the link below:
Reader comments
Last minute iPhone 5 rumors: NFC, greater file system and USB music support
Nfc would have been a nice main new feature just for the new iPhone.
Sounds like Apple to me, technologies are in your device but Apple says nothing until they flip the on switch.
I can't hardly wait.
I want NFC bad but not quite sure why. Probably because I don't want it to come in next year's phone and then have to buy again!
i think it will have NFC in it becuase apple dont really release certain stuff until its widely use in shops unlike other phone manufactures had that tech a long time ago with no where to use it now NFC is big now so its time to make products that can use the tech more effciently
I'm definitely skipping this one and going straight for a Nokia 920.
Personal Preference Only.
I'm sure the iPhone 5 will be a massive hit!
http://absinthejailbreak.org/iphone-5-name-confirmed/
most of this was expected but pretty cool.
hello..first time poster on imore.. hmmmm although I love my BB and my S3 i like technology and what it brings to customers...obviously the apple announcements brought me here..
i really do hope Apple puts in NFC.. as much as i dislike Apple they have done a lot to help consumers and move this industry along.. but holding back features and hardware to make incremental changes is kinda of a scam if u ask me... NFC is great.. even without mobile payments.. the ability to scan NFC tags and perform multiple tasks (i.e. toggle wifi, BT, change ringers) is awesome! my wife and i use android BEAM all the time! my 9900 i use NFC on a daily basis to set profiles etc the way i want..
i really hope apple gives it all this release instead of holding back... i hope you guys get what you want and need from this iphone cause i lost interest after the first iphone model... i bought it on the first day of release from an AT&T store in Niagara Falls as a GIFT cause i was a Canadian.. back then they didn't have rules to sell outright to randoms.. ; > i LOVED it for almost 1 year and then got bored and moved on .. went back to the iphone 4.. i was bored the moment i took it out of the box..cause it reminded me of my first iphone.. but i really hope this one is different and ups the competition and gives people more choice ; >
good luck today..
Great. Now I get to deal with yet ANOTHER widely-used product that people will widely misspell. I don't know what Apple's deal is, but they continually produce products with easy names to say/grasp, but that people misspell like it's going out of style.
Ipad, I-pad, Iphone, Ipod, Iphone 4G, and now (as I'm assuming will happen), the Lightening connector. Why is it so hard for people to use proper names/spelling/capitalization for Apple products? Ugh.
Sorry, You've got to be the only person in the WORLD with this problem. I am sorry it bothers you so much lol
Apple could very well include it but leave it turned off and dormant until they are ready with iOS 6.1 or 6.1.1 early next year as Passport grows. Since the iP5 is a big bump it would seem ill conceived to hold NFC off for iP6 next year and expect users to get left behind yet again.