Apple iWallet to use Bluetooth instead of NFC?

Roumors is started that Apple will use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) instead of NFC for the iWallet appliances, read iPhone and iPad. One “why” is that Apple already heavily supports the Bluetooth 4.0 standard and the latest iPad and iPhone models were the first major gadgets to support it.

The technology could also support cloud-based transactions, with Bluetooth handling the front end connection. This would do away with the need not just for NFC, but for cash registers and credit cards, reducing the hardware investment for retailers.

Anyway, whatever transmission technology Apple will use for its iWallet, Accumulate can already state that its mobile security platform supports it. The platform works independantly of technology used and already support technologies such as One Time Ticket (OTT), NFC (active and passive) stickers or NFC integrated devices for enabled NFC POS terminals. QR- and bar codes can also be used to transfer the OTT for direct cashier integration.

Btw. Here is 20 reasons from Mobile Payments Today blog why iWallet will not use BLE.