INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The change will be implemented in an upcoming developer seed for iOS 18.1
| Photo: Reuters2 min read Last Updated : Aug 15 2024 | 5:25 PM IST
Apple has announced it will extend access to its iPhone NFC (Near
Field Communication) functionality to third-party developers outside the European Union, marking a significant shift in its
policy.
Following recent regulatory pressure from the European Commission, which mandated Apple to open its NFC capabilities for mobile
payments and other applications beyond its proprietary Wallet, the company is now broadening this access even further, confirmed GSM
Arena.
The change will be implemented in an upcoming developer seed for iOS 18.1.
Initially, this expansion will include developers from
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, in addition to those in the EU.
According to GSM Arena, Apple has
indicated that it plans to extend this availability to additional countries in the future.
However, Apple's approach to this newfound
openness comes with notable conditions.
Developers interested in utilising the NFC functionality will be required to enter into a
commercial agreement with Apple.
They must also obtain "the NFC and SE (Secure Element) entitlement" and pay associated fees, although
specific fee details have not yet been disclosed.
In a statement obtained by GSM Arena, Apple emphasised its commitment to user security
and privacy, noting that "users' security and privacy are of the utmost importance to Apple."
While this development represents a
significant shift in Apple's NFC policy, the functionality will not be as open as it is on Android devices, which have long allowed broader
access to NFC capabilities.
Overall, while NFC on iPhones is becoming more versatile, developers should be prepared for a more regulated
and costly process compared to their counterparts in the Android ecosystem.(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been
reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)First Published: Aug 15 2024 |
