Having finally embraced near field communication technology with the launch of its payments service, Apple has joined the NFC Forum as a sponsor member.
The move sees Apple join the likes of Google, Intel, MasterCard, Samsung and Visa as a top-line member of the non-profit industry association, giving it a place on the board.
Set up more than a decade ago, the forum brings together players from across the NFC ecosystem to develop specifications to ensure interoperability among devices and services.
After years of speculation, last autumn Apple finally unveiled Apple Pay, its NFC-based mobile money service, and by joining the forum will have a voice in shaping the technology's future.