New iPhone RFID tested

George Baggaley

Apple has begun testing RFID technology with the view to incorporate it in the new iPhone due for release in June 2010

Published on Nov 6, 2009

Apple has started testing RFID technology alongside the new iPhone, with the view to incorporate an RFID reader in the mobile before its June 2010 release.

RFID allows the transfer of information between devices without contact via a chip and reader.

A video released by ‘The Touch Project’ shows the capabilities an RFID iPhone could have.

In the clip the mobile recognises various television character based toys, also equipped with RFID chips, before automatically playing media related to them.

Most impressive is the speed and ease at which a wave of the phone detects individual objects all in close proximity of each other.

The most likely benefit of RFID would be improved syncing ability with Macs. A simple wave of the phone could recognise your Mac computer or allow you to switch information between the two devices.

It is also believed RFID will be an extension of Apple’s new iPod Touch based purchasing systems. In theory the technology could allow you to purchase a game or song by waving your phone over an RFID compatible CD or icon.