Apple has been working on a secretive “wireless device” that has been revealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). But it will never find its way to store shelves.
The FCC on Sunday published a manual and photos of the device, revealing that it’s little more than a badge reader Apple intends to use at some of its corporate offices. The information, which was earlier reported on by Business Insider, does not say whether Apple will sell the technology to other companies.
Apple (AAPL) last fall filed an application with the FCC on a “wireless device” featuring Bluetooth connectivity and near-field communication, two wireless protocols that will apparently be used to verify employee badges. The FCC, which is tasked with evaluating and approving electronics before they can be used, published the application with no mention of what it might be used for and whether it was a new product Apple would start selling to consumers.
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Once the application was discovered, speculation ran rampant around the Web over what Apple had planned. Some reports suggested the device could be a new product on Apple was developing.
The FCC’s publication on Sunday puts the speculation to a disappointing end. But this being Apple, even a badge reader is fodder for speculation. Now, some are saying that the badge reader could have been designed for Apple Park, the company’s new headquarters it plans to open next month.