iBeacon vs NFC in the battle of mobile payment technology

A new feature called iBeacon, from Apple, is currently causing waves in the industry with fears that it could kill off NFC (near-field communications), the wireless technology associated with mobile payments. iBeacon, introduced as a feature of Apple’s iOS 7, uses Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) to create beacons (small wireless sensors) that alert mobile phone apps when users enter them.

For example, you’re shopping in your favourite store and you walk into an iBeacon zone, in response your smartphone

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