Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller on NFC, Wireless Charging and the Lightning Connector

Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller on NFC, Wireless Charging and the Lightning Connector: AllThingsD's Ina Fried caught up with Apple's Phil Schiller after the introduction of the iPhone 5 this afternoon. She asked him about a number of new technologies that did -- and didn't -- make it into the company's new flagship phone.

It’s not clear that NFC is the solution to any current problem, Schiller said. "Passbook does the kinds of things customers need today."



As for wireless charging, Schiller notes that the wireless charging systems still have to be plugged into the wall, so it’s not clear how much convenience they add. The widely-adopted USB cord, meanwhile, can charge in wall outlets, computers and even on airplanes, he said.



"Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated," Schiller said.

Fried also spoke to Schiller about the new Lightning connector. He noted that it wasn't possible to make devices any thinner with the existing 30-pin Dock Connector, though the company doesn't take changing the plug -- which had been around for 9 years -- lightly. "This is the new connector for many years to come," Schiller explained.





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