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Phil Schiller sees no need for NFC or wireless charging, Lightning connector to be used 'for many years'

Phil Schiller sees no need for NFC or wireless charging, Lightning connector to be used 'for many years'

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In an interview with AllThingsD following today's media event, Phil Schiller shed some light on why Apple chose to keep NFC out of the latest iPhone, and why the company opted for a new dock connector over the old 30-pin alternative.

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With each week that Apple came closer to announcing the iPhone 5, prospects that its latest handset would contain Near Field Communication (NFC) technology seemed to dwindle. What began as an "obvious" rumor quickly turned into unlikely speculation. In an interview with AllThingsD following today's media event, Schiller shed some light on why Apple chose to keep NFC out of the handset — at least this time around. The answer is software. "Passbook does the kinds of things customers need today," the VP of marketing said, seemingly confident that iPhone buyers won't miss the ability to make the type of direct mobile payments possible with Google Wallet and, eventually, ISIS.

The allure of wireless charging also didn't appeal to the company, with Schiller pointing out that users would ultimately need to plug a charger into a power outlet anyway. “Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated."

He also addressed why the company chose to sunset the 30-pin dock connector with its latest devices, explaining that the sleek dimensions of the new iPhone and iPod touch simply wouldn't have been attainable with the nine-year-old component. Thankfully it seems the company has plans to stick with its new Lightning port for a lengthy period as well, with Schiller saying, "this is the new connector for many years to come."