Apple is reportedly planning to integrate Apple Pay and NFC in ways that would make iPhone users' everyday activities a lot easier.
For example, the Cupertino brand is allegedly developing a new NFC feature that would allow iPhone users to make Apple Pay purchases by tapping special, NFC tags. For retailers, that means no need to incorporate unwieldy terminals just to accommodate Apple Pay users. For Apple Pay users, that means no downloading a third-party app before, say making purchases, or topping up miles to a scooter rental unit.
Apple Partners With Companies For NFC Features
As 9to5Mac reports, Apple is partnering with apparel brand Bonobos, parking meters service PayByPhone, and Bird scooter rentals on the initial rollout.
In Bonobos' case, it'll place the tags, applied just like stickers, onto clothing racks. To purchase something, iPhone users would only have to tap their phone on that tag. There's no need for a third-party app to facilitate the sale, and the items will be delivered to their homes.
Bird, on the other hand, will paste stickers onto rental scooters, which users can tap to unlock the vehicle and facilitate rentals. PayByPhone's planned implementation resembles this closely.
Apple might roll out the feature later this year, and it'll likely share more details at its Worldwide Developer Conference this June.
These days, finding and renting a Bird scooter isn't that difficult, which is why both Bird and Apple see this as an opportunity to make the experience near frictionless for iPhone users. At present, rentees need to download the Bird app, locate the nearest scooter, then scan the QR code. This new implementation erases all of that and allow the user to just tap their phone and start the ride.
However, there are a handful of requirements. First, users must have Apple Pay and a phone with an NFC chip, and they must be 18 years old and above.
Apple Pay
At the 2019 Transact Conference in Las Vegas, Apple's internet services VP Jennifer Bailey said the company was seeking ways to break down barriers via NFC-based shortcuts. But it's clear this is also one way Apple could broaden the use cases for its payments service, extending its functions beyond just the smartphone app. For Bird, on the other hand, this is a way to get as many users on its scooters as possible, and that includes first-time riders who don't want to be bothered with downloading its app just to start renting.
If these partnerships are successful, it's safe to assume more integrations are due moving forward. Make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more.
