A new job posting by Apple points toward the company’s plans to finally enter the race to realize mobile payments as a feasible means of conducting business between consumers and merchants. The listing seeks a “Payments Software Engineer,” as 9to5Mac reports, to assist in “build[ing] a next generation payment platform.
As competitors have looked toward NFC and other means to establish the groundwork for cashless transactions via mobile, Apple has not been so quick. Notably, to date the iPhone has not shipped with NFC capabilities, and it seems likely it never will. Apple has never been a big supporter of the technology, instead choosing to lay the groundwork for their own system.
That system could be based around iBeacon, first introduced as part of iOS 7. iBeacon uses Bluetooth to accurately pinpoint a users location within the confines of a store. For now, the technology is being utilized to present users with offers and deals when shopping at stores taking advantage of iBeacon. In the future, Apple’s system could be used to provide a secure means of making mobile payments.
It wouldn’t be unrealistic to think Apple might plan to build out its iBeacon platform further, offering a robust system and accompanying mobile wallet that would instantly be available to the large install base of current iPhone users. Getting retailers on board early is key.
The hyper-local deals and offers angle has persuaded merchants to install iBeacon transmitters in stores. Last week, Macy’s deployed the technology in beta at a pair of flagship stores just in time for their big Thanksgiving day parade and holiday shopping rush.
Whether or not iBeacon will be central to Apple’s future payment system is, of course, conjecture. They could choose to go in an entirely different direction. But with retailers already getting in line it could be the most direct path from wallet to phone.
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