Apple likely to expand NFC capabilities beyond Apple Pay with iOS 11

Apple’s 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote took the lid off iOS 11 with the company introducing both new software platforms and a range of new hardware products. Though everything that the Cupertino giant announced was analysed deeply by experts one thing that missed much attention was new “Core NFC” framework that could expand near-field communication features for Apple devices beyond just its mobile payments support.

Apple Inc's long-awaited launch of tap-to-pay technology in its new iPhones and smartwatch may be the seal of approval that near-field communication technology needs to become as common as WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. Called NFC, the chip could expand near-field communications for Apple devices beyond its mobile payment service.

As of today, NFC chips are solely used on the iPhone to transmit payment requests between a mobile device and a card reader. With the new NFC framework, Apple could let third-party developers make use of NFC chip in many ways.

The document released at the WWDC, first spotted by Engadget says that “Your apps can read tags to give users more information about the physical environment and the real world objects in it. For example, your app might give users information about products they find in a store or exhibits they visit in a museum.”  Further, the document suggests that iOS11 will extend the NFC capabilities of Apple devices far beyond just contactless transactions and digital ticket management.

Apple hinted at an expansion of NFC capabilities when VP of Technology Kevin Lynch announced watchOS 4. When the new operating system drops this fall, Apple Watch users will be able to interface with gym equipment by tapping their device on an NFC reader, which subsequently opens a two-way wireless communication session for transferring information like heart rate and equipment speed and angle.

Of course, at this moment we don’t have many details. But it’s promising news for those who wish to turn their iPhone into a one-stop-shop for their mobile wallet and authentication needs. If Apple can get developers to come on board, NFC could play a bigger role in the ecosystem of connected devices.