Apple and Disney Upgrading Stores With iBeacons, NFC Readers

Apple and Disney retail stores are beginning to upgrade their stores with improved iBeacon sensors and NFC readers, according to 9to5mac.

Apple Stores have had iBeacons for months now. The sensors are able to pinpoint a customer's location in the store and enable Apple to present relevant sales information for iPhone, iPad and Mac products. The upgrades that are reportedly happening this week bring new beacons that make location tracking even more accurate.

Another source claims that Apple is preparing to roll out an in-house developed iBeacon sensor for future retail stores. Months ago, a similar device appeared in an FCC filing from Apple shedding some light on the device designed by the company.


Earlier this year Apple upgraded its EasyPay devices with improved security and NFC support. Combined with the upgraded iBeacons, and an rumored iPhone 6 that supports NFC, it seems that Apple is ready to launch its iPhone-based mobile payments system soon.

Finally, another source at Disney claims that all their retail stores are being upgraded this week with new credit card machines that support NFC. While this could just be a coincidence, Apple and Disney have been long time partners -- Disney CEO Bob Iger even sits on Apple's board.

Apple is expected to announce two new iPhones, its wearable product, and its mobile payment system this Tuesday, September 9 . Be sure to follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.