"Big" Apple announcement may involve Disney

[lazyboy97o]

If they allow the app to be able to charge purchases back to your room this is still a perk for just WDW guests.

Then it is something that must be enabled. Why bother with all of that when your phone already does it?

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

I'm sure they will have solutions for all combinations of technology guests are using as well as other methods to account for contingencies for when peoples batteries die or other wise can't use certain devices. It's clear Disney wants guests to have their phones on them as they've been installing charging stations in the parks.

Well of course. The app is important for those changing fastpasses and such. However, Disney will never been able to create enough charging stations to meet guest demand, if they choose to go app only.
It won't work.
They could have saved money on the bands a long time ago then. NFC in phones has been around since 2010.

 

[Next Big Thing]

So I think the biggest thing here is that Disney spent a large sum of money developing the magic band technology and it is already becoming irrelevant and unnecessary since many will just be able to do everything a MB can do with their phones.

 

[RmeDad]

Remember that NFC is not the same as RFID. MyMagic+ doesn't just suddenly become NFC without more money and upgrades.

What if Disney, having inside information, built NFC capability into MyMagic+ when they built the units, knowing that not all visitors had iPhones?

 

[GhostHost1000]

So I think the biggest thing here is that Disney spent a large sum of money developing the magic band technology and it is already becoming irrelevant and unnecessary since many will just be able to do everything a MB can do with their phones.

you're assuming everyone would have an iPhone - that's certainly not the case, especially outside the US

 

[lazyboy97o]

What if Disney, having inside information, built NFC capability into MyMagic+ when they built the units, knowing that not all visitors had iPhones?

Android has had NFC support for some time now and people have been ing for it to be included in the iPhone. No need for inside information.

 

[boufa]

you're assuming everyone would have an iPhone - that's certainly not the case, especially outside the US

Even inside the US... Apple holds approx 40% market share in the US and only 18% world wide. Despite what you might hear.. "everyone" doesn't have an iPhone. Also those market share numbers are falling... and the drop is picking up speed. Today's announcement will have very little to do with Disney and a lot about ending the market share slide.

Also like was previously said, and mostly ignore... NFC is NOT RFID.. they are not the same technology. (Of course if Apple "invents" NFC the world will go crazy for it)

 

[JiminyandTink]

I heard that apple is changing the ringtone on all iPhones to "Let it go" from Frozen...

 

[RmeDad]

I am way to happy with my NFC capable S4 to care about Apple's announcement.

 

[roj2323]

I heard that apple is changing the ringtone on all iPhones to "Let it go" from Frozen...

Let it ring, let it ring, don't answer the phone anymore
Let it ring, let it ring, don't let it drop to the floor
Here it is, The iPhone Sixxxx

 

[wdwmagic]

I am way to happy with my NFC capable S4 to care about Apple's announcement.

I don't think anyone is really interested in what the actual hardware can do NFC-wise. As you say, there are plenty of devices out there that have the chipset on board to do it. I think the interest with Apple is that they have the power to make it accepted everywhere. No other technology firm has managed to do that, or really has the ability to do so. Apple can change that.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

you're assuming everyone would have an iPhone - that's certainly not the case, especially outside the US

i think you mean NFC capable phone. Many Droids/Windows phones already have nfc. The iphone 6 will have it.

But for anyone with an Iphone 5 or older, or non-smartphone would be left out.

 

[njDizFan]

By next year all credit cards in the US will also require a PIN.

Just wait about a year and see what the major banks have planned with card processing...very heavily app driven and direct merchant payments...its crazy

 

[s8film40]

I don't think anyone is really interested in what the actual hardware can do NFC-wise. As you say, there are plenty of devices out there that have the chipset on board to do it. I think the interest with Apple is that they have the power to make it accepted everywhere. No other technology firm has managed to do that, or really has the ability to do so. Apple can change that.

Yep, that is the key factor.

 

[lazyboy97o]

i think you mean NFC capable phone. Many Droids/Windows phones already have nfc. The iphone 6 will have it.

But for anyone with an Iphone 5 or older, or non-smartphone would be left out.

A big part of Android's problem with creating a large enough user base is the large number of cheap devices that lack the newer hardware features as well as the new versions of the operating system. Apple's user base upgrades. While it won't enable hardware-based functionality, there will be a huge percentage of users running iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite very shortly following their release. There will also be a large number who get the new hardware, Many who do not get this phone will upgrade relatively soon (two years is not a long time frame) and then also have the hardware.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I can't see Magic Bands being completely replaced by mobile phones unless the battery life of these devices is DRASTICALLY improved. Imagine having to take a break from touring the park only because your iphone battery is zapped.

 

[RmeDad]

I don't think anyone is really interested in what the actual hardware can do NFC-wise. As you say, there are plenty of devices out there that have the chipset on board to do it. I think the interest with Apple is that they have the power to make it accepted everywhere. No other technology firm has managed to do that, or really has the ability to do so. Apple can change that.

You are probably right. Apple's "catch-up with technology" announcement today will entice the "Apple Fanboys" to support NFC and large screens. Not a bad thing. I was the leading Southwest U.S. retailer of Apple products for several years, so I know the power of Apple. Right OR wrong!

 

[s8film40]

I can't see Magic Bands being completely replaced by mobile phones unless the battery life of these devices is DRASTICALLY improved. Imagine having to take a break from touring the park only because your iphone battery is zapped.

I've never had an iPhone that wouldn't last all day at a park. I had the original iPhone, 3g, 4, 4s, 5s, and will upgrade to whatever is announced in about an hour (which of course is rumored to have an even better battery).

 

[Texas84]

Funnily enough, the buddy was in Japan at EPCOT the other day and as he got closer to the register, they greeted him by name,it was the NFC.

Did the CM add '-san' to your friend's name?

 

[RmeDad]

I've never had an iPhone that wouldn't last all day at a park. I had the original iPhone, 3g, 4, 4s, 5s, and will upgrade to whatever is announced in about an hour (which of course is rumored to have an even better battery).

BOY, you spend a bunch of money on phones!