September 10, 2014
Latest Technology In Computers
Apple’s WWDC event in June of this year was a big snoozer, however Tim Cook and company made up for it by action-packing a ton of new upgrades, products and services all into one event.
Check out the latest offerings from Apple:
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 PLUS
For years, consumers wanted their cell phones to be smaller and smaller. However, since the iPhone is much more of a mobile computing device and much less a cell phone these days, consumers now require it to be bigger.
That’s why Apple introduced the new iPhone 6. The original iPhone was a mere 3.5 inches. The iPhone 5 crept up to 4 inches, but the new iPhone 6 will be 4.7 inches. It’s big sister is being called the iPhone 6 Plus, coming in at a whopping 5.5 inches.
In comparison, the iPhone 5 line had a 640 by 1136 screen resolution, but the new 6’s will boost that to 750 by 1334 and 1080 by 1920, respectively. Also, the new 6 line will be the thinnest iPhones ever, at 6.9mm and 7.1mm, respectively, compared to 7.6mm for the iPhone 5S.
The new iPhone/iPad operating system, OS 8, will be available on September 17th, while the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available on September 19th, with preorders set to begin on September 12th.
Apple Pay
Say goodbye to credit cards, stolen credit card numbers and stolen data from the old magnetic strip on the back of our plastic cards. Apple is shrinking our wallets and nudging us into the digital age with their new payment system: Apple Pay.
For those of us with an existing iTunes account, we already have at least 1 credit card on file with Apple. Now, we can put that iTunes credit card to good use. With Apple Pay, we will be able to make payments virtually anywhere just by waving our iPhone in front of a new wireless payment terminal at checkout and pressing the Touch Sensor ID on our device for authentication. Or, we can store several credit cards digitally inside Apple’s existing Passbook app, then use our choice of any Visa, Mastercard, or American Express to make our purchases with the same wave of the iPhone. No one sees our credit card number, no one sees our name and the magnetic strip of old cards is never exposed to thievery.
“We don’t store your credit card number and we don’t give it to the merchant,” Eddy Cue, an Apple senior vice president, said during the keynote. “We create a device-only account number and we store it safely in the secure element [which encrypts your payment information], and each time you pay, we use a one-time payment number along with a dynamic security code, so you no longer have the static code on the back of your plastic card.” If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can suspend all of the payments from the device without canceling your card.
Apple Pay will be available for use in October.
Apple Watch
The wearable device we’ve been waiting for has arrived — and it’s called: The Apple Watch.
Apple revolutionized technology with the touch screen of the original iPhone. Now, they are moving that same technology to their new Apple Watch, bringing most of the touch screen functions of the iPhone to your wrist.
The Apple Watch does not replace the iPhone, it compliments it. No more pulling out your iPhone to check what time it is. No more digging in your pocket or purse to respond to a text, cue up a music track, or search for directions to the nearest pharmacy. With the Apple Watch, all of this information and more will now be readily available at the wrist.
The Apple Watch will have sensors to check your heart rate and other vital health information. These sensors will also be able to tap you on the wrist when you receive a text message or phone call. The sensors are also handy when using the Maps app, by tapping your wrist to direct you to turn left or right while heading to a destination. No need to even look at the screen any longer.
The new wearable will come in 3 designs: The Apple Watch, The Apple Watch Sport, and the Apple Watch Edition, with a variety of interchangeable wristbands, suitable for working out at the gym or attending a formal affair. It will also support Apple Pay, meaning you can simply wave your watch in front of a wireless terminal at any checkout register to make a payment.
The new Apple Watch will be available in early 2015.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLE WATCH INFO
Latest Technology In Computers
Apple has been criticized of late for no longer being an innovator and for lagging behind the competition. Although other tech companies were first out the starting gate with larger mobile devices, wireless payment systems and wearable devices, it’s not about who does it first but who does it best. Apple is poised to once again change the game with their new tech additions and regain its reputation as King of innovation.
The last thing I need is a bigger phone in my pocket. That watch looks good though.