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[riontel]

Analysts are expecting Apple to follow in Google's footsteps and have the next generation iPhones and iPads include near-field communication (NFC) technology. That will allow them to be used as swipe-to-pay devices, eliminating the need to carry around credit cards, coupons, etc. Provided you want to trust that kind of information to your phone, of course. It all might line up pretty nicely with the joint venture by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless that was announced last year called Isis. Isis is going to be a "nationwide mobile commerce network" that will utilize NFC to facilitate various transactions. It should go operational sometime next year.

NFC has been around for a while and it's already being used, in Japan, for instance, to pay for purchases using a phone. I think previously the idea was, when you pay with the phone you see the charge on your phone bill, but now the paradigm seems to be changing. There is no guarantee Apple will also partner with Isis, they might just not surprise anybody and build their own competing service.

In another bit of related news, Verizon Wireless is going to offer a $30 unlimited data plan with their new iPhone due in stores Feb 10.

Comments

[riontel.livejournal.com]

1. AT&T doesn't have an unlimited plan either, except for people who grandfathered their existing plan and who will lose it when they sign a new contract.
2. Current iPhone from AT&T doesn't have an option of a hotspot at all.
3. Which phone to use and on what network is entirely your choice. I do not advertise, just provide information I feel might be interesting.