Apple planning to introduce mobile payment services by mid 2011

   Google Nexus S is one of the first mainstream smartphones to foray in Near-Field Communication chip for             enabling users to make purchases. Near-Field Communication is a short-range high-frequency technology that enables data exchange between devices. To join the trend, Apple is reportedly working to include Near-Field Communication functionality in next-generation iPhone and iPad devices. Envisioneering Group consulting firm director, Richard Doherty, told Bloomberg that the next the iPhone for AT&T and the iPad 2 will have NFC functionality chip embedded on it.

World and shopping on the move would certainly become easy and hassle-free with the new near-filed communication technology. A number of handset makers like Nokia and Samsung have been testing the NFC functionality but only few handsets were actually released. NFC chip is meant for active RFID reading, communicating with other NFC device and can be used as a contact-less card.

After Nokia, Samsung and Google, now Apple seems to be taking the electronic mobile payments, ticketing and commerce for future. Doherty said, Apple could be the game-changer.

Doherty further shared details that Apple is considering to start a mobile payment service as early as mid 2011. The iTunes service could see a revamp to comply with the mobile payment service and thereby stop asking for credit card information. With the next generation iPhone and iPad, consumers could just walk into stores and make payments using those devices instead of credit cards.

Apple has already created a prototype of payment terminal for small businesses and is considering sale of the same at subsidized rates to small and medium businesses.

Once Apple releases NFC laden iPhone and iPad, other handset makers would also consider following the same. However, it's more about adoption of the same by merchants and also used by consumers. 

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