The software update is for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and will arrive with iOS 11 in September. Android users have used NFC technology since 2010.
'Game changer'
Marcin Pilarz, CEO, Talkin’ Things, based in Poland, said NFC only existed on Android-based smart phones and it has been waiting for Apple to unlock the NFC reader on its phones. It existed before but only with Apple Pay.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for smart packaging and the whole IoT (Internet of Things) industry. Integration of end-customers with iPhones to a Smart Packaging System is a game changer for clients and brand owners,” he said.
“By implementing the system into a packaging, Talkin’ Things creates an innovative product communication platform and protection against threats to a brand.
“NFC is a great technology to protect the product against counterfeiting and refilling, track grey market activities and manage the inventory.”
Smart packaging enables products to advertise themselves on a shelf and communicate with end customers with the tap of a smartphone.
The product itself becomes a media platform and customers can check information about the item they want to buy in a simple way.
‘Proof of purchase’
The ‘Proof of purchase’, Talkin’ Things patented technology also lets people buy something without going to a cashier.
“This creates various possibilities for brand owners to increase sales by rewarding consumers for real purchases as well as running marketing campaigns based on customer’s behavior analysis and big data converted into smart data,” added Pilarz.
iPhone users will be able to scan NFC tags implemented in the smart products.
The technology is based on NFC/RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology comprising of software applications and programs together with hardware devices, such as encoders, readers and antennas.
Talkin’ Things recently took part in an ‘Elevator Pitch’ for Heineken at the AIPIA (Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association) Congress in Amsterdam where nine companies battled it out for a place on Heineken’s Design & Packaging Team to design its next generation smart bottle.