INTEGRATED NFC TO BE INCLUDED IN THE UPCOMING IPHONE 5?

A number of Android smartphones have already shipped with near field communication (NFC) and have already taken advantage of the applications of this technology with Google Wallet and Android Beam. However, it appears that Apple is also planning to include this capability in the next-generation iPhone.

According to the folks at 9to5Mac reports that references to an integrated NFC chip and antenna have surfaced from analysis of code from Apple’s latest iOS software.

These reports hint that Apple is planning to the enter the mobile payment arena and utilize the Passbook app that was recently unveiled.

The technology may also allow the iPhone 5 to be capable of wireless sharing features and other new NFC-based solutions.

Can Apple compete with Google Wallet and other similar services?