Apple's Passbook app can handle the management aspect of the digital wallet, but the company has stopped short of providing a full-fledged mobile payment app. But recent reports about the pending release of Apple's new operating system suggest that may (emphasis on may) change.

As The Washington Post notes, developers have said that a folder within the latest build of the forthcoming iOS 7 includes references to a fingerprint scanner on the iPhone. There are plenty of reasons that Apple may be interested in offering users a more secure way to use their devices, The Post said, notably the potential of mobile payments.

However, The Mac Observer speculates that the new features are aimed at security, not mobile payments. The iPhone will eventually include its own mobile payment system, the site said, but several issues must be worked out before that's viable.

Learn more about mobile handsets and devices.