Apple Pay may soon work with some subway lines and ticketing systems

By Malarie Gokey October 27, 2014

Apple Pay hands on — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fans of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology were dismayed when it turned out the the NFC in Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus can only be used for Apple Pay. However, now it seems that Apple is in talks to extend the capabilities of the technology to transit payments and keycards.

NFC providers HID Global and Cubic are reportedly in talks with Apple to use the new iPhones’ NFC chips as secure access cards to buildings, public transit tickets, and more. Spokespeople from both companies spoke to the Information under the condition of anonymity and revealed that in the near future, the iPhone could replace the NFC-based Clipper card thats used on the BART subway network in San Francisco. Theoretically, the technology could also work at any public transit network that has NFC-enabled ticketing.

The sources also told the publication that iPhones may be used instead of keycards to gain entry to offices, buildings, and other locked rooms that can be opened with NFC cards. The companies didn’t say when the NFC chip on the new iPhones will work in these kinds of scenarios. It’s also unclear whether Apple will open up the NFC chip in its phones to work with other apps that are not focused on mobile payments.

In the meantime, Apple faces an uphill battle with retailers as it tries to convince them that installing Apple Pay in NFC-enabled payment terminals is a good investment. Recently, several retailers announced that they will not support Apple Pay or other NFC-based payments, in favor of competing technology.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

Mobile

Apple may do the unthinkable — allow third-party iPhone app stores

App Store displayed on an iPhone 14 Pro against a pink background

Ever since 2008, Apple has only allowed its own App Store on the iPhone. In the past, if you wanted alternative digital storefronts, you’d have to jailbreak your device. But in response to impending regulations from the European Union, Apple may be allowing alternative app stores on the iPhone and iPad in the near future — potentially as soon as iOS 17 in 2023.

According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this will be the very first time that Apple will allow third-party app stores on the iPhone. It seems that Apple is already dedicating a “significant amount of resources to the companywide endeavor.”

Mobile

Why the lawsuit against Apple’s AirTags may be bigger than you realize

Nomad Apple TV Siri Remote Case with an AirTag installed.

Apple is facing yet another lawsuit, but this one could very well define the future of AirTags. Two women who were victims of stalking using AirTags have filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple in a district court in Northern California. The plaintiffs cite incidents where former partners hid AirTags in a car wheel and a child’s backpack to track their whereabouts and harass them.
The ordeal is harrowing, but it’s not the first of its kind. Ever since AirTags went on sale, reports of stalking and using them to steal cars have been all over the internet. But this time, Apple has been dragged to court over a rather comprehensive set of charges.

Accusing Apple of gross negligence, the plaintiffs allege that the company rushed out a product without proper safeguards.
The design has also been lambasted as the trackers didn’t perform as expected, even though Apple claimed the AirTags are “stalker-proof.” The lawsuit mentions that “AirTag’s design defect was a substantial factor” in causing harm. To recall, AirTags weren’t initially loud enough, and after being flagged, Apple decided to bump up their sonic warning capability.

Mobile

Your Apple Card will soon get its own savings account – here’s what it looks like

Apple Card Savings.

Apple just announced that Apple Card users will be able to grow accumulated Daily Cash rewards by depositing the money into a savings account with high-yield rates from Goldman Sachs. This new feature will be rolling out in the coming months, so it is not immediately available.

Apple Card launched in 2019 as a partnership between Apple and Goldman Sachs. While you could get a premium, titanium card with no numbers or information on it (besides your name), the main focus of Apple Card was Apple Pay. The Apple Card lives in the Wallet app, where you can view your balance and transactions, make payments, view statements, and more.