Rumors have sprung up recently suggesting Apple is planning to incorporate near field communications technology into its mobile devices. While NFC certainly didn't materialize in the new iPad 2, there's still potential for it to pop up in the next iPhone hardware. Aside from the expected e-wallet functionality, Apple may have more ambitious plans in mind for leveraging NFC capabilities, like allowing an iPhone to function as a secure mobile user account you could use with any Mac.

The NFC rumors began in early February when Envisioneering Group director Richard Doherty said he believed Apple would add NFC technology to both the iPhone and iPad in 2011. A source for iLounge suggested that Apple would use the NFC technology in the upcoming iPad to enable "smart accessories," though it was later revealed that the iPad 2's Smart Cover actually uses simple magnets.

Earlier this week, however, The Independent cited sources from mobile carriers in the UK that said Apple would not include NFC in this year's iPhone hardware. "Apple told the operators it was concerned by the lack of a clear standard across the industry," the source said, believing Apple would delay incorporating the technology until 2012. That report was disputed on Thursday by a source for Forbes who suggested that NFC reader manufacturers are gearing up for NFC-equipped iPhones. The source also claimed a friend from Apple told him it was a done deal.

Other factors suggest Apple could be bringing NFC technology sooner rather than later. Apple has applied for a number of NFC-related patents, has an NFC expert on staff serving as a product manager for mobile commerce, and most recently was looking to hire a test engineer for NFC technologies as well as global payment platform managers. The competition could also be encouraging Apple to include the technology—Google has added support for NFC in Android, but so far only the Nexus S handset has the necessary NFC hardware.

Whether Apple adds NFC tech this year or next, though, iPhone users may gain several features from its inclusion. The most well-known application for NFC is "wave to pay" systems and virtual tickets and transit passes. Such "e-wallet" systems are quite common in Japan and other parts of Asia, and mobile carriers in the US have formed a consortium to make such a system popular here. Apple may even offer its own payment system that leverages a user's iTunes account.

Apple could also use NFC for directed advertising and marketing. For instance, if you're in your local Starbucks, a location-based iAd for coffee might include a deal for a free latte. Waving an NFC-equipped iPhone over a reader could apply the offer to your order without having to print a coupon or having to use an awkward code.

But Apple may be thinking beyond applications that are already beginning to become commonplace. A source for Cult of Mac suggests that an NFC-equipped iPhone could be used to carry around a roving home folder which could be used with an NFC-equipped Mac. Waving the iPhone near the Mac would create a secure connection between the two, and allow you to use the Mac as a sort of temporary user.

Part of the system would be fueled by the Mac App Store and MobileMe. Your iPhone would let the guest Mac know which apps you own via the Mac App Store and show those apps in the Dock. If an application that isn't already installed is launched, it can be downloaded and installed temporarily for you to use. Any documents created or saved will be automatically synced via MobileMe, so they would be available on you home Mac later on.

The anonymous source also told Cult of Mac that Lion already includes at least some of the necessary plumbing to make the system work. The source said the system is currently in active development, but couldn't say for sure when the system would be ready for end users.