Square might bring Apple Pay to small businesses

Square is being used by a lot of small businesses as a mobile credit-card reader to help process credit card payments without the expensive point-of-sale terminal. But they just might venture into the Apple Pay territory in the coming year. Jack Dorsey, Square’s founder, said that their service is more a cash register and that it accepts all forms of payments. So, they plan on developing Apple Pay compatibility sometime next year. This plan might require some changes to Square’s existing hardware but then again, if they use the NFC capability, they might not even have to tweak that. If they get the technicalities sorted out, this plan might actually bring Apple Pay to smaller enterprise.

Source: CNN | Via: Gizmodo

iOS 8.1 coming on monday as a free update

Apple will be releasing the iOS 8.1 update to iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches on Monday October 20 to coincide with the launch of Apple Pay in the US. For other countries without Apple Pay capabilities, the update will enable a number of enhancements and features that will allow iOS 8 devices to use some of the Continuity and Handoff features coming to OS X Yosemite (available for free today) and iOS. iOS 8.1 will bring back the Camera Roll as well as a beta of  a beta of iCloud Photo Library.

iOS 8.1 is available through iTunes or as an over-the-air (OTA) update for all devices that can run iOS 8: the iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, and 6 Plus; all iPads aside from the first-generation model; the fifth-generation iPod Touch; and the third-generation Apple TV. SMS Handoff will also be enabled via the updated. The following iOS 8 Continuity features are not available in Canada:

• Spotlight for movies
• Volte
• WiFi Calling

Source: Apple

Apple Pay mobile payments to begin on October 20

Apple announced today that with some 500 new banking partners, it would launch the Apple Pay mobile payments system in the US on Monday October 20th. Apple says that , "Apple Pay offers an easy, secure and private way to pay using Touch ID on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in stores and within apps. Users of the just-announced iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 will be able to use Touch ID on their devices for Apple Pay within apps. The new service will be enabled by a free update to iOS 8 which is coming on Monday as well.

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Apple hosting an event on October 16 in Cupertino campus

Apple has confirmed its October 16 special event at the Apple Campus in One Infinite Loop. October has historically been iPad and Mac related launches and it is likely we will see new iPad Airs and iPad minis with the addition of Touch ID and Apple Pay capability plus a refresh in design to reflect the rounded look and feel of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Judging from the invitation, some other product lines are due for a refresh and while Mac mini and Apple TV come to mind, we wouldn't be surprised to see new iPods as well as maybe some sweet 5K Retina Display monitors.

Apple has been hard to predict of late, there are always some surprises and If you consider Eddie Cue's statement about seeing the 'best product pipeline in 25 years,' plus the fact that Apple hasn't had any Beats-related product launches, maybe more Apple Watch reveals, and it's easy to see how this could be a packed event. Since the event is being held at the Apple Campus, it will likely be an intimate gathering although possibly livestreamed.

Canadian Reviewer will be on site at the Apple Campus next week to bring you the goods from the launch event as well as some hands on time with whatever new products or services come from Tim Cook & Co.