Participants in a Mobile Money Live poll were split on whether the absence of NFC from the latest iPhone is a blow to take-up of mobile payments. While the largest number backed the argument that NFC is already well supported by other handset vendors (38 percent), a significant number argued that Apple’s support would have been a huge boost (31 percent).

A smaller number backed the idea that Apple is in no hurry and might still back NFC at a later date, for instance with the launch of the next iPhone (19 percent). Finally, the smallest number said more significant than the absence from the iPhone 5 of NFC is Apple’s inclusion of Passbook, an app that enables subscribers to store loyalty cards, tickets, vouchers and coupons (12 percent). Observers think Passbook might be a stepping stone for Apple to launch a full-blown mobile wallet.