The internet is full of disappointment regarding the iPhone 5. Most of these airing disappointments are the people who have already decided to get Android or already have an Android or are planning to rock a Windows Mobile phone. Regardless of the ever growing dismay from fans of other operating systems, the iPhone 5 sold out again at a record speed.
There is no denying that the iPhone 5 has an allure that Android will not have as a whole. The reason why the iPhone 5 is so popular has been proven to be the brand itself. There is simply a lot of trust in the Apple brand, even if you were to claim that it is blind trust, it is trust that sells.
Android fans know that. Even if they are confident and sure of their purchase, that they would rather have an Android or Windows Mobile device, they realize that they need NFC to be on the iPhone 5. This makes them hate Apple more than usual for destroying their hopes.
You are probably thinking I have gone nuts, but let me enlighten you as to why Android customers would be happier if the iPhone 5 actually got NFC.
First, what do we use NFC for?
For the consumer, it enables them to send data securely and easily through services like Android Beam, or control certain options with personal programmable NFC tags. By putting a programmed tag on the car mount for example, once the user puts the phone on the mount, it will launch the Google Maps Navigation, turn on Bluetooth and turn off vibration. There are many possibilities of using it on a personal level.
For corporations, the use of NFC is focused on mobile payments and advertising. They want to be able to send advertisements through NFC tags or share their websites and possibly give out product information or even a menu in the store using NFC. Most importantly, they want NFC enabled devices to further expand credit card payments with the use of services like Google Wallet and ISIS.
Obviously, it also serves as a convenience for the consumer since they no longer need to carry their cards with them. There are also a lot of other things that corporations could do for the customer, if only NFC caught on like it was supposed to.
It is no secret that Google has been very eager to market NFC to the world. After all, they are banking on the wide adaptation of NFC so that they can further expand their Google Wallet payment system. Obviously, while new Android devices with NFC are constantly being released to the world, many businesses are still reluctant to finally adopt the technology.
Sure, there is already a pretty good adaptation of NFC in larger, more financially capable corporations like McDonald’s. That is only a part of the market. Android users want NFC to be more useful, more widespread, to make their NFC devices more useful. After all, what good is a feature if you can’t use it?
That is where Apple and their iPhone 5 fit in the picture. As I said, Apple can sell the iPhone 5 pretty. It has been shown in the streets that people would buy the iPhone 4S once more if it was marketed as the iPhone 5. Even if they don’t know the difference, even if it is the same product all over again, the market swoons.
It is also no secret that the iPhone has the healthiest after market economy despite having only one model every year. There are more cases, more docks, more speakers, and simply more accessories and services tailored for the iPhone compared to their Android counterparts.
Let’ face the fact that the market moves when Apple makes its moves. I am not saying it is the case forever, but right now, the magic is still there.
If the iPhone 5 came out with Near Field Communications, then it will finally pick up. Every business would want to support it, more NFC related products and services would surface, and people from all sides of the market will act and will benefit. They may have been late to the party, but they are the guests that make it a party.
So why did Android users want Apple to put NFC on the iPhone 5 so bad? Simply because it will make Near Field Communications a whole lot ‘cooler’. It will be better known, better adapted, and better integrated into their lives. NFC will find the push it needs to be accepted in a broader marketplace.
Apple knows that people are waiting for NFC to finally catch on. Apple is waiting for two things to happen. One is for NFC to be popular, and then they will be forced to adopt it since they don’t want to be left behind.
The other case, one the Apple is most likely hoping for, is for NFC to totally fail to catch on.
Mark my words. When NFC fails to truly catch on and disappear into obscurity, Apple will sweep in and use the “magic of the brand” to make NFC a stellar feature. Then they will be known as the brand that brought NFC to life and gloat as if they invented it in the first place. NFC will still succeed, but Apple wants it to succeed under their terms.
Image sources: cultofmac.com, nfc-forum.org, Apple.com, android.com
