iOS 13's newly expanded NFC support will be useful for more than just hopping on the subway. Germany is taking advantage of the upcoming software's support for Apple-approved NFC identification documents to let residents scan their ID cards and use them both online and for check-ins at international airports. You'll need to wait for both the release of iOS 13 (likely in September) and the German government's AusweisApp2 to make everything work, but this might just save you the trouble of pulling out your wallet to prove who you are.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/17/germany-ios-13-id-card-nfc-support/
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Nuke on Wednesday June 19 2019, @09:08AM (4 children)
So why is pulling out an iPhone less trouble than pulling out your wallet? Is it because hipsters never put their iPhone away?
In fact their iPhone is likely to be at their ear for a non-stop conversation, so it could be kinda difficult to use it for ID at the same time.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday June 19 2019, @09:29AM
If you're fondling your phone constantly, you know where it is at all times.
Meanwhile, you have your wallet, passport, etc. stashed away to prevent them from being lost or stolen.
I think most people are using apps, web browsers, and texts rather than talking, so that is not a problem.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Informative) by SomeGuy on Wednesday June 19 2019, @10:36AM (1 child)
Because $$$$ iPhones are sexy. $0.05 ID cards are ugly. Show people your iPhone instead of an ID and you show them you have a big wang and are so rich that you can afford to waste money on a frivolous toy that has to be replaced every couple years and constantly upgraded instead of some plastic ID card that almost never has to be replaced.
Besides, how is Apple supposed to track people and sell marketing data if they don't use their "phones" for absolutely every absurd little thing?
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Wednesday June 19 2019, @04:34PM
That would be new model Apple phones, as opposed to say the iPhone SE that I got my wife for $119 + tax/shipping. Google is no better in the tracking department and likely quite a bit worse than Apple with regards to user privacy. So long as you also have an ID card, it's just a convenience for a portion of the population. Sure, men may have a wallet in their pocket, but women generally have it in their purse. The wallet may be buried in there somewhere, but the phone is likely in a side pocket, or the like. I've seen my wife's purse and sometimes it is scary in there.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 22 2019, @07:15PM
I rarely carry my wallet around these days. I can use my phone to pay for most things as pretty much everywhere takes contactless, and I can even use my phone to withdraw money from a cashpoint if I need to.
I don't live in a country that requires me to carry ID with me either, so would probably take a pass on using my phone for ID anyway.