The head of an Australian biometrics company which scored a key contract with Apple says the future of mobile technology will be closely linked with fingerprint scanning and other ID tech, especially as phones and payment systems become entwined.
The revelation that Australian firm Microlatch has been working with Apple on a contract for the past year is yet another sign the tech giant is becoming serious about identification technology – Apple purchased American fingerprint scanning firm AuthenTech earlier this year. It's also a testament to the strength of the local tech scene.
Microlatch managing director Chris Burke told SmartCompany this morning the partnership with Apple is a way of promoting a security component for the iPhone maker, but also said the real revolution will come with payment mechanisms.
While Burke said he could not disclose any specifics about the Apple contract, he said the inclusion of NFC (near field communications) payment systems will mark a big change for his industry. "Everything is a phase, and this is a good first step. PINs are not going to suffice given the type of security that we need. We're storing so much information on these valuable devices, and they're becoming more sensitive."
Although Chris Burke says the future may present opportunities to combine biometric scanning and payment technology, there are already plenty of hints Apple is experimenting here. It continues to mention the company has over 430 million credit card numbers, with those customers able to make one-click purchasing.
Burke says future payment schemes using mobile devices are where the real growth will be – and where his company can expect to find ongoing, and lucrative, new ventures.
"I'm really excited in the payment systems architecture that we see on mobiles. The next stage after having a mobile with a lot of information is to actually control cash on it, then you're talking about a highly valuable product. It opens up a lot of new territory in that regard."
The revelation that Australian firm Microlatch has been working with Apple on a contract for the past year is yet another sign the tech giant is becoming serious about identification technology – Apple purchased American fingerprint scanning firm AuthenTech earlier this year. It's also a testament to the strength of the local tech scene.
Microlatch managing director Chris Burke told SmartCompany this morning the partnership with Apple is a way of promoting a security component for the iPhone maker, but also said the real revolution will come with payment mechanisms.
While Burke said he could not disclose any specifics about the Apple contract, he said the inclusion of NFC (near field communications) payment systems will mark a big change for his industry. "Everything is a phase, and this is a good first step. PINs are not going to suffice given the type of security that we need. We're storing so much information on these valuable devices, and they're becoming more sensitive."
Although Chris Burke says the future may present opportunities to combine biometric scanning and payment technology, there are already plenty of hints Apple is experimenting here. It continues to mention the company has over 430 million credit card numbers, with those customers able to make one-click purchasing.
Burke says future payment schemes using mobile devices are where the real growth will be – and where his company can expect to find ongoing, and lucrative, new ventures.
"I'm really excited in the payment systems architecture that we see on mobiles. The next stage after having a mobile with a lot of information is to actually control cash on it, then you're talking about a highly valuable product. It opens up a lot of new territory in that regard."
