WSJ says Apple’s iWatch will feature NFC for mobile payments, come in two sizes

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that sources familiar with the matter indicate Apple’s much-rumoured iWatch will not see release this year. According to WSJ’s sources, “engineering kinks in production” are preventing Apple from hitting an intended October/November release date.

However the WSJ also says that when the iWatch does arrive, it will come in two different sizes, with a curved OLED screen, and NFC. The upcoming iPhone has long be rumoured to feature NFC for mobile payments, but apparently the smartwatch will also play a role in Apple’s mobile payments plans. The WSJ journal also believes that NFC will play a role in connecting and pairing the two devices.

A 2015 release for the iWatch will likely not be met with a warm reception next week at Apple’s September 9th event, but of greater concern is just how Apple plans to incorporate the iWatch into a broader payments offering while solving the security issues around NFC. The iPhone 6 will presumably feature an updated version of Touch ID; an NFC-enabled iWatch might require exactly the same type of security blanket.

[source]WSJ[/source]