This should come as no surprise, since PayPal already uses Samsung S5 finger print scanner for payments, but now according to Business Insider, several PayPal developers attended a WWDC session on the new API and the company is actively considering its implementation. The idea here is likely to get a head-start on Apple, which is currently said to be working on its own mobile payment service in conjunction with several major payment processors.
Category Archives: Apple
iOS 8 – new feature – lightning port connected headphones
Delving through the iOS 8 beta, it shows that Apple is enabling headphones to be connected via the lightning port.
I see this as the next step to Apple removing the headphone jack. It is viable as audio can be pumped out via the lightning port. Non lightning headphones could have an adapter in the box.
However, I don’t think Apple will remove the headphone port so quickly, but they will allow high definition audio eg FLAC coded audio files to be played in the digital format to new hitech headphones. Or just a higher bit rate audio file to play directly to the headphones to enable a better listening experience.
Another option is just to enable docks to connect to allow high audio quality playback.
September 2014 will reveal all when Apple announces the new iPhone and iPad.
Update. Apple has just released guidelines for the lightning port.
“Apple has just published all the “Made for iPhone” guidelines to bring lightning headphones to iOS devices. This Lightning headphone protocol will be capable of receiving lossless stereo 48 kHz digital audio output from Apple devices and sending mono 48 kHz digital audio input. It will allow microphone functionality, remote controls, and developers can even code apps to launch when headphones are connected”
WWDC, iOS 8, OS X Yosemite and more juicy bits on the new iPhone
Last night Apple kicked off WWDC with its usual keynote speech. I thought it was a well polished affair, and everyone including Tim Cook seemed fired up and energised.
So in September when the new iPhone and other Apple hardware lands we will have the following new features –
1) Third Party Keyboards and a new Apple keyboard with word prediction. Plus the keyboard is enhanced for the blind with a braille version.
2) A tighter eco system with iCloud Drive (goodbye Dropbox), iMessage improvements(calls, iMessage and even normal SMS’s can be done on any Apple device from iPad, iPhone or Mac, adios WhatsApp), Phone Calls can be answered on your Mac, iPad or iPhone or made from any device. Apple also introduced features for group messaging from do not disturb, viewing message photos on one page and more.
3) Start typing a message on your iPad or iPhone or Mac and continue it on something else. Apple called this Handoff. You could be doing others things too and continue on a different device. AirDrop will now work between mac and iPad and iPhone.
4) Apple’s Health and Home Automation Frameworks got announced and look very promising.
5) 4,000 new developer API’s. New coding language called Swift. And Metal.
6) WiFi calling is now allowed and FaceTime call waiting
7) Battery usage stats per app – finally
8) New camera APIs and a photo kit allowing developers access to the camera settings like exposure and separate focus, camera timer, pano mode for iPad, instant burst mode for camera and time lapse mode.
9) Shazam with Siri, Purchase iTunes content with Siri
10) Auto night mode for iBooks, Rich text editing in Notes
11) In Case of Emergency card
12) Multi Usage support
13) Widgets in the notification centre
14) OS X Yosemite – redesigned like iOS, better functional mail app, improved spotlight, safari, mail drop, iCloud Drive, iPhoto being updated
15) iOS Photo app – better editing and integration with other photo editing apps without leaving the camera roll.
16) Appstore overhaul – videos, group buy deals of dev apps and so much more. Family share has arrived. Using one card and up to 6 family members, if your child went to buy an in app purchase a message would appear saying have you obtained permission , and at the same time , the adult would get a message asking to authorise purchase. Neat. Plus families were able to create and share photos and calendars.
17) iOS 8 apps can share data with each other – finally
18) Touch ID opens up to developers – this is huge
19) Lower cost cloud storage plans
20) iOS Notification centre offers quick replies and actionable items
21) iOS 8 gets spotlight search
22)
Clearly the next batch of Apple hardware releases are going to be excellent. All of the above will drive better hardware sales as well. Lets hope the battery tech keeps up with all the demands of the modern operating system.
It also looks like Apple have come back fighting from the death of Steve Jobs, in a more energised, aggressive way and opening up the platform to allow better sharing and third party keyboards. The only thing it did not allow was to set default apps for a particular task eg web browser.
Roll on September 2014 and the new iPhone – hang on a second, Foxconn just made an announcement –
“5.5 and 4.7 inch iPhone will be manufactured by Foxconn in 2014
MUMBAI, India – June 2, 2014
Foxconn, world’s leading manufacturer of computer components and systems, is going to manufacture both 5.5-inch and 4.7-inch iPhone in 2014.
According the sources, Foxconn will supply 70% of the 4.7-inch iPhone shipments for 2015. The 4- and 4.7-inch iPhones will be the main sales force of Apple for 2014. Foxconn’s plants in Zhengzhou, China are expected to start supplying the 4.7-inch model in July and start manufacturing the 5.5-inch one in August.”
So true or false ?
Episode 16 – Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast is now live – Please RT
As you know, I co-host a weekly podcast with David from UKMobileTech called Gav & Dave’s Tech Podcast. It is a light hearted tech podcast broadcast bi-weekly. To subscribe click here for iTunes or copy and paste this link into your favourite podcast app.
Episode 16 is now live for your listening pleasure.
Apple has the best product line in 25 years
At the Code Conference on Wednesday, iTunes chief Eddy Cue said Apple’s upcoming product lineup for 2014 is the best he’s seen in 25 years of working for the company.
Clearly Apple has been transforming since the death of Steve Jobs and so all the focus is on what new hardware and software is about to be launched this year.
Is Apple about to redefine a new product category? I think so.
The second half of 2014 is turning out to potentially get really exciting in the tech world with all the new hardware from Apple and others.
Let’s see what WWDC reveals shortly 🙂
Apple bought Beats for $3bn – and here’s why plus others big Apple news
Above, a $3bn smile and if you are being truthful you would equally have a BIG smile!
According to Apple “Beats Music was built with deep respect for both artists and fans. We think it’s the first subscription service to really get it right. Both Apple and Beats believe that a great music service requires a strong editorial and curation team, and we will continue to expand what we do in those areas. The addition of Beats will make our incredible iTunes lineup even better, extending the emotional connection our customers have with music.”
My view – this is as much about street credibility and branding, the connections of Iovine and Dre and the future possibilities and plans of the Apple empire and its eco systems. With Apple having acquired the head of Nokia Pureview, this really is a sign Tim Cook is restructuring the company his way, and finally there are signs of some exciting times ahead for Apple.
Finally, this was the internal email Tim Cook sent to Apple employees –
Team,
This afternoon we announced that Apple is acquiring Beats Music and Beats Electronics, two fast-growing businesses which complement our product line and will help extend the Apple ecosystem in the future. Bringing our companies together paves the way for amazing developments which our customers will love.
Music is an important part of our lives and our culture. Music has the power to inspire us, to comfort us, and to send our emotions soaring. It brings people together and transcends the limits of spoken language.
Apple’s history in music began with selling Macs to musicians. That remains important to us today, but we also bring music to hundreds of millions of customers with iTunes, which is at the forefront of the digital music revolution. Music holds a special place in our hearts at Apple, and we know that we can make an even bigger contribution to something that is so important to our society. That’s why we have kept investing in music and why we’re bringing together these extraordinary teams — so we can continue to create the most innovative music products and services in the world.
Beats co-founders and music industry pioneers Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre will join Apple, along with their team of employees. Jimmy has been on the cutting edge of innovation in the music industry for decades, including as a key partner for Apple in the launch of the iTunes Music Store more than ten years ago. He has produced or collaborated with some of the most popular artists in history, and been an important contributor to the success of the iTunes Store.
Beats Music was built with deep respect for both artists and fans. We think it’s the first subscription service to really get it right. Both Apple and Beats believe that a great music service requires a strong editorial and curation team, and we will continue to expand what we do in those areas. The addition of Beats will make our incredible iTunes lineup even better, extending the emotional connection our customers have with music.
The Beats Music team will report to Eddy. The teams will be getting to know each other better in the weeks ahead, and we are very excited about the possibilities for the future.
Beats Electronics has become the brand of choice for headphones and speakers in both the music and sports world, just five years after its launch. They are among the most popular and highest-rated third-party products sold today in Apple’s retail and online stores. We see an incredible opportunity to bring Apple’s legendary design and engineering capabilities to these popular products under Phil’s leadership.
Please join me in welcoming Beats to Apple. I hope you are as excited as I am about this new chapter in our history.
Tim
My iPhone and iPad have been hacked – a ransom is required to unlock
Australia is suffering a spate of iPhone and iPad hijackings at the hands of a hacker called Oleg Pliss—who demands $50 via PayPal to unlock each handset. There’s currently no sign of it spreading to the rest of the world.
You can follow this thread on Apple Support website here.
This is really not a good position with people losing control of their iOS devices.
Apple expands it Reuse and Recycle Programme in the UK
Apple’s expanded its Reuse and Recycle programme to include iPads.
Now if you have an iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4 and iPad mini can walk into an Apple Store, and receive credit towards a new iOS device. However, Apple will not accept current-generation devices like the iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina display.
As with the iPhone programme, Apple will assess the condition of devices before providing a trade-in value. However, don’t expect a huge return if your iPad has seen better days or is in relative good condition. This is more about convenience.
Apple to launch Home Automation at WWDC 2014
The FT.com has reported that Apple is to launch it own app/service to integrate home automation into the iPhone and iPad. Apparently, Apple has been working with select hardware partners.
This is one area that is close to my heart. I already have app enabled accessories that control/connect to my weather station, lights, electric plugs, IP cameras and more. But controlling all these gadgets in to a single interface becomes a little bit more complicated.
If Apple can crack this, home automation could become second nature for many.
The Ultimate Phone Review Collection – from HTC One M8, Samsung S5 and 20 more
It is often difficult to find the reviews of devices and accessories I have written about, so below is a quick way to find all the articles for the smartphone reviews. You might have to scroll back a few pages as I have used a generic search on the phone to bring up all the articles written about the phone. This is useful when new information gets added after writing the reviews.
Also check under Menu, Reviews – Accessories for wearables, headphone, portable amps, cases, power, cables and other reviews. Or click here.
If the smartphone camera is your number one priority then check out my 17 Smartphone Camera Shootout with tons of samples for you to decide from iPhone 5S, HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 1020, Samsung Galaxy S5, Motorola G and 12 other current smartphones including Sony and Huawei. Click here.
Android Phones
Sony Z Ultra views and Camera Samples
Windows Phone
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