Mobile payments based on NFC chips inside smartphones have faced slow growth in the U.S., but some analysts predict that the upcoming iPhone 5S expected in September will include NFC technology after years of restraint by Apple. If so, Apple’s gradual move toward NFC (near-field communication) to complement its existing Passbook application would come at the same time that Google somewhat retreated on NFC. In a recent email to Google Wallet users, Google said it will end NFC redemption of gift and loyalty cards added to Google Wallet on Aug. 21. Google said its announcement does not affect NFC credit and debit card payments and added that it is working with retailers on other options for gift and loyalty cards. In an unrelated move toward NFC adoption, Isis, an NFC-based mobile wallet joint venture of three U.S. wireless carriers, last month said it would roll out its mobile wallet to the entire nation later this year, following testing in two cities.