And apparently this leaked info is quite real, as far as Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group is real. The group cites “engineers who are working on hardware” for Apple’s latest project in asserting what that project actually is. Yes, the engineers are saying that NFC capabilities are apparently being built into the next generation of iPhone and iPad devices.

Contactless payments via NFC have been steadily building up in hype and adoption recently – at least in the western hemisphere, the stuff is commonplace in Japan — and Doherty predicts Apple will make its move into the field with some new hardware and an accompanying “revamp” of iTunes. The idea would be to allow the use of iTunes gift card balances and the credit card info Apple already has from you to make swiping payments at compatible retail outlets. Apple is said to be planning enticements, like loyalty credits and points, to get you using its service in the place of the competition, and there are already a couple of software patent applications from the company detailing other potential uses for the technology.

And the good news is, McDonalds have started taking contactless payments not long ago!

SOURCE via Bloomberg