The upcoming iPhone 6 may boast a new mobile payments system from Apple, if a new report turns out to be accurate.
Rumors of an Apple mobile wallet have been making rounds for quite some time, and it now seems that Apple may finally implement its upcoming mobile payments system with its next-generation iPhone 6, which is widely expected to launch in September.
Not too long ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple was indeed interested in a mobile payments system of its own, but gave no additional details regarding how far the company had come with the system's development. The CEO also reckoned at the time that Apple's Touch ID fingerprint reader, which was introduced with the current iPhone 5S flagship, could be used for mobile payments. On the other hand, Cook offered no concrete information as to when Apple would officially offer such functionality.
According to a new report from The Information, however, Apple seems to have come quite far with the development of its mobile payments system. The company has reportedly been in talks with several major credit card providers, including Visa, in regards to its Apple Wallet project.
"Conversations between Apple and payments-industry companies have heated up in recent months, with several people briefed on the talks saying that Apple executives have discussed launching a mobile "wallet" as soon as this fall for people to use their iPhones to pay for goods in physical stores," reveals the report.
"Apple has told some partners its system would involve a so-called secure element in the phones - a piece of hardware where sensitive information such as a phone owner's financial credentials can be stored. The company also aims to run the system without giving up any control to wireless carriers."
Keep in mind, however, that it remains unconfirmed at this point whether Apple will indeed launch a mobile payments system with its upcoming iPhone 6. No further details are currently available in this regards, but we'll keep you up to date as soon as more information surfaces. In the meantime, make sure to take all leaks, rumors and reports with a grain of salt.
