iOS 9 Coming This Year, What Can We Expect?

The next major version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 9, is already in the works at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino. There are few concrete details on iOS 9 yet, but rumors suggest the update may focus more on optimization and stability improvements rather than major design changes and new features.

Expect some changes, however. Siri improvements, a new San Francisco font, a HomeKit "Home" app, iPad split-screen multitasking, and transit directions may be added in iOS 9. With iOS 7, Apple introduced a major design overhaul, and with iOS 8, the company debuted features like Continuity, Apple Pay, and new app abilities like extensions and widgets.

It may seem like Apple will have a hard time marketing an iOS 9 update that doesn't come with the flashy additions we got in iOS 7 and iOS 8, but a new version of iOS that fine tunes what Apple introduced in previous iOS updates will likely be very popular with people who have suffered from bugs in iOS 8.

Since iOS 8's release, some of Apple's user base has been unhappy with the update, vocally criticizing the company for pushing out new features without resolving lingering bugs. iOS 8 has suffered from an above average number of bugs since its September introduction, causing issues like slow Wi-Fi, battery drain, screen rotation problems, Bluetooth connectivity failures, and more.

One of the major optimizations that might be in store for iOS 9 is a reduction in the amount of space the operating system takes up. iOS 8 saw slow adoption rates for the first few months following its release, possibly because of the sheer size of the operating system. iOS 8 requires more than 2GB of free space to install, which can difficult to clear up on devices limited to 8GB or 16GB of storage.

According to rumors, iOS 9 will be compatible with devices using Apple's A5 processor and it may even offer improved performance on these devices compared to iOS 8. iOS devices with an A5 chip include the iPhone 4s, the original iPad mini, the iPad 2, and the fifth-generation iPod touch.

Apple may also convert many IMAP-based applications like Notes, Reminders, and Calendar to its own iCloud Drive system, improving communication in these apps between devices and increasing security. A "Trusted Wi-Fi" feature may allow Macs and iOS devices to connect to trusted wireless routers with no additional security measures, while non-trusted routers would have a heavily encrypted wireless connection.

The much-anticipated split-screen multitasking feature may also be included with iOS 9, allowing iPad users to open two apps at once or two versions of the same app. This would let a user open two side-by-side Safari windows or two Pages documents on their iPads, for example.

The upcoming WWDC will likely see the debut of HomeKit, Apple's home automation platform. A dedicated "Home" app within iOS 9 may accompany the launch, giving HomeKit users a central location to add new HomeKit-compatible devices, group devices by room, and control them.

Read the complete story >> HERE.

Credit: macrumors.com

Bug Causes Messages To Crash, iPhone To Reboot

A newly found bug surrounding iOS and Messages has emerged that causes the app to continuously crash when a certain text is received. If the text is received while the phone is on the lock screen, it also causes your iPhone to reboot without any notice or explanation. This is obviously a very big problem for iPhone users, especially those with mischievous friends and enemies.

This isn’t the first time a bug like this has emerged; in fact, it has happened several times in the past. Apple usually fixes the issue in a timely matter, but until it’s fixed, it is a rather malicious problem. 

Thankfully, the ability to crash Messages and reboot someone’s iPhone is limited to iPhone-to-iPhone communication (Update: Android to iPhone as well) and a certain specific strand of text. Since the character strand is so specific, most people should never accidentally experience the crashing. Anyone who does experience the crashing was likely singled out on purpose as a target.

If you want to see examples of the problem .... Read the rest of the story >> HERE.

Credit: 9to5mac.com

Apple Introduces Updated 15-inch MacBook Pro

One Tuesday, May 19, Apple® updated the 15-inch MacBook Pro® with Retina® display with the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage, longer battery life and faster discrete graphics, delivering even more performance and capabilities to the MacBook Pro line. Apple also today introduced a new $1,999 configuration of the 27-inch iMac® with Retina 5K display featuring a breathtaking 14.7 million pixel display, quad-core processors and AMD graphics, and lowered the price of the top-end iMac with Retina 5K display to $2,299.

The updated 15-inch MacBook Pro features the amazing Force Touch trackpad that brings a new dimension of interactivity to the Mac®. With built-in force sensors and a Taptic Engine that delivers haptic feedback, the Force Touch trackpad allows you to click anywhere with a uniform feel and customize the amount of pressure needed to register each click. The new trackpad supports a range of new gestures, including the new Force click, and APIs are available for third-party developers to incorporate Force Touch capabilities into their apps.

The updated 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display also features up to 2.5 times faster flash storage than the previous generation, with throughput up to 2GBps, and offers an additional hour of battery life, with up to 9 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 9 hours of iTunes® movie playback. In addition, MacBook Pro with Retina display discrete graphics deliver up to 80 percent faster performance using new AMD Radeon R9 M370X graphics for editing video in Final Cut Pro® X, rendering 3D images in pro graphics apps or playing high-resolution games.

Read the rest of the story >> HERE.

Credit: apple.com

Restaurant Table Tablets: Gimmick Or Helpful?

Tablets for ordering and tipping in restaurants can now be found on tables in eateries including Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Chili's, and more. The practice has clear financial benefits for the restaurants, but does it actually improve the dining experience?

A new trend is sweeping the restaurant scene: Tablets can be found at the tables in many eateries, serving as interactive menus that take on some of the workload of wait staff. You'll already find them in Chili's Grill & Bar, and many Outbacks and Applebee's locations. Olive Garden is the latest big chain to announce a nationwide roll out.

But, can a tablet really replace a waitress? Is this just a gimmick, or does it improve your dining experience? We decided to take a look at the pros and cons of restaurant tablets.

The Pros of Restaurant Tablets

For restaurants, these tablets are sold as a way to increase the take. According to the suppliers, they cut down on the time people spend in the restaurant, they encourage people to spend more money, and they boost customer loyalty. But how do they work from a customer perspective? Here are some of the major benefits:

• Order when you're ready. You don't have to catch the eye of a passing waiter, you can just tap on the tablet to order a new dish or a refill.
• Entertainment at the table. Most of these tablets offer games, for a small fee, that are suitable for keeping children amused, or act as ice-breakers for adults.
• Pay when you're ready. You no longer have to wait for a member of staff to be free before you can ask for the bill, pay it, and leave.

These are the key attractions for diners, but there are other potential benefits that can be good for the business and the customer. It's possible to include more detailed descriptions of dishes and photographs. There shouldn't be any errors in the order, at least none that can be attributed to the servers. Restaurants can appeal for instant feedback, which should help them improve. People are much more likely to complete a survey or answer questions while they are still there, than go online using a receipt link when they get home.

On the other hand, some benefits for the restaurant may actually turn into costs for the diner's waistline. Chili's reported a 20% bump in dessert sales during testing, because it can play adverts for irresistible sweets while diners are on the main course.

It's important to note that not every tablet system offers the same range of options, and there are certain limitations. For example, you can only pay if the tablet has a card reader, and that means you'll still need wait staff if you want to pay cash. Different chains also have different rules; at Applebee's the server has to take your first drink order, and after that you can re-order from the tablet.

The Cons of Restaurant Tablets

These systems are obviously pretty expensive for restaurants to roll out, and there's a maintenance cost. You could argue that the fact they're encouraging people to spend more and eat more isn't good for diners, though it's obviously great for restaurants. There are a few other major downsides:

• There's a learning curve. While people get used to tablets at restaurant tables, staff have to explain to diners how they work, when they could be taking orders. The initial result can be a slowdown in service.
• Losing the human touch. You may feel that a little chat with the waiting staff is part of the dining experience. Tablets don't replace servers, but they definitely cut down on human interaction.
• You can't ask questions. What if you'd like to ask about the specific ingredients of a dish, you'd like another napkin, or you want to query the bill? You're going to need a server.

According to one of the biggest providers, Ziosk, tablets also increase tipping. But this may be because the restaurant can set the default suggestion, rather than because of any perceived improvement for customers. For example, Chili's defaults to a 20% tip, and you have to alter that before swiping your card if you feel it's too high.

There are other potential problems. What happens if your tablet isn't working properly? What if you tap to order the wrong dish or your kids do? What if you want some time away from technology? Tablets can also act as advertising windows at your table, and that could definitely detract from the experience. Much depends on exactly how these systems are configured, and, at the moment, most restaurants are still working that out.

Tablets aren't going to be a good fit for all restaurants, but it looks like big chains are seeing a clear benefit. The danger is that they focus on their own bottom line to the detriment of the dining experience. If restaurants try to replace staff with tablets, then it's easy to see how the standard of service is likely to decline. However, as an enhancement, the optional convenience of ordering or paying without having to call busy wait staff over could be a really good thing all round.

What do you think? Have you used a tablet in a restaurant? Did you enjoy the experience or not?

You can read the entire story with video >> HERE.

Credit: csmonitor.com

Apple Watch Is No Harder To Steal Than A Rolex,

But It Should Be!

An excerpt from today's story on The Verge.

Here's the sad truth: the very expensive Apple Watch is now also the easiest Apple gadget to steal. For Apple's smartwatch, there is no such thing as Activation Lock, the anti-theft measure that makes stolen iPhones useless to thieves.

Introduced in 2013, Activation Lock requires your Apple ID password after a factory reset and before it can be activated and used once more. If someone else has your iPhone but doesn't have your password, all they can really do is sell Apple's smartphone for parts (or, you know, be a decent person and return it). Police immediately praised the feature and urged everyone to switch it on.

The Apple Watch doesn't have Activation Lock or any equivalent designed for a wrist-worn device. Nor can you locate it with Apple's "Find My iPhone" app, which can track the last known whereabouts of your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or even a Mac. That second part makes sense since the Apple Watch doesn't have a GPS chip inside.

But the smartwatch can connect to known Wi-Fi networks, so theoretically Apple could offer some idea of where it last held an internet connection, even if there's no way to guarantee that's where your Watch stayed.

As of now, the option's just not there. Your Watch can help find your phone, but nothing exists to help recover the Watch.

With the product being so new, there haven't been many headlines about Apple Watch muggings or ugly theft incidents yet, and hopefully there won't be. But take a look at Craigslist or eBay, and you'll see Apple's smartwatch selling for way above its retail value. For thieves, the temptation is there.

Apple can play a huge part in dissuading them by making sure your Watch stays yours — or at least rendering it useless to anyone else.

Read the complete story >> HERE.

Credit: theverge.com

Apple Launches New iPad Microsite

On Wednesday, May 6, Apple launched a new microsite (HERE) focused on the iPad, exploring the way the iPad can "change the way you do things every day". The site offers up a selection of apps and usage ideas for the iPad, organized into several categories: Cooking with iPad, Learning with iPad, Small Business with iPad, Traveling with iPad, and Redecorating with iPad.

Like the company's past advertising efforts, this new campaign aims to portray the iPad as a tool that's useful in all aspects of life that goes far beyond mere content consumption, as can be seen in the introductory video on the site. The video features people using the iPad in a whole range of situations, from cooking to managing a business.

Each section of the new site includes imagery covering what the iPad can do and a wide range of recommended apps for each purpose.

Read the rest of the story and watch the video >> HERE.

Credit: macrumors.com