New T-Mobile Family Plan Offers Four Lines With 10 GB of Data Each at $120
T-Mobile today announced an addition to its Un-carrier line of customer perks with a new family plan aimed at providing each member of the family with 10GB of 4G LTE data per person. The base plan includes the first two family members with 10GB each at $100, and additional members coming in at $20 per person, with every line getting the usual unlimited data, talk, text, and all the normal Un-carrier perks.
Users who are interested in signing up or switching before Labor Day can get the fourth member’s line free if they sign up before the holiday, on September 7. So a four-person family can each get 10GB of data for $120 — or $30 a person — while the promotion runs.
T-Mobile compares its plan to something similar offered by Verizon, which sees its base plan requiring families to share 10GB of data each month at a price of $140. To get something more along the lines of T-Mobile’s new plan, users would have to upgrade to about $360 per month on Verizon’s model.
“It’s no surprise Verizon’s spent what looks to be over $100 million in just two months promoting an $80 data plan with 10GB everyone has to share. The catch is, it’s not actually an $80 plan. You can’t actually use any of that data until you pay additional ‘line access’ fees for data you’ve already bought,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile.
“So, when they say $80, they actually charge a family of four at least $140. And that’s to share 10GB. Leave it to Verizon to push a plan that gives you a pile of data you can’t use unless you fork over more in hidden fees.”
The new family plan will launch alongside the recent announcement that customers taking advantage of the Un-carrier’s “Simple Choice” plans can send and receive unlimited phone calls, text messages and use 4G LTE data in Canada and Mexico at no additional cost. T-Mobile notes that every family under the Simple Choice model can choose to switch to the Un-carrier’s new family plan beginning tomorrow, July 15.
TiVo Adds AirPlay Support to Allow Streaming to Apple TV Via iOS Devices
TiVo today is announcing an update to its iOS app that adds AirPlay support to allow users to stream content to the Apple TV. The feature builds on previous support for streaming content to an iOS device from a TiVo box, and the TiVo app now makes it easy to watch content recorded on a TiVo box on any TV in the house with an Apple TV connected.
TiVo Inc., a global leader in next-generation television services, has announced that for the first time TiVo users can access their content on TV via a third party consumer electronics device, giving entertainment junkies an amazing multiscreen experience. TiVo users can now stream their recorded shows to Apple TV via AirPlay. TiVo users have yet another way to watch their favorite shows, on another screen, wherever they are.
The feature works with TiVo’s latest Roamio Pro and Roamio Plus boxes, which provide up to 3,000 hours of recording time and have built in Wi-Fi and MoCA support to enable easy streaming from the set-top box to other devices. Streaming from a basic Roamio or Premiere box requires a separate TiVo Stream auxiliary box to enable mobile streaming.
By turning on AirPlay Mirroring to an Apple TV from Control Center on the user’s iOS device, content from the TiVo box can be streamed to the device and on to any Apple TV-equipped television on the local Wi-Fi network, replacing some of the functionality of the company’s TiVo Mini box.
We’ve had a few days to test out the new feature and have found it relatively easy to use. Following a one-time setup for streaming from the box to the iOS device, users simply need to turn on AirPlay to their desired Apple TV, navigate to My Shows in the TV app to find the show they wish to stream, and select the option to watch the show on their iPhone.
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Barclays Confirms Apple Pay Support in Future, First Direct and HSBC Delayed Until Later This Month
Barclays today announced that it will support Apple Pay for debit and credit cards in the United Kingdom in the future, confirming a MacRumors report that claimed the bank expected “imminent” support of the mobile payments service.
Apple Pay officially launched in the U.K. earlier today and can be used at more than 250,000 locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A full list of retail shops and apps that accept Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s website.
We are really excited about the launch of Apple Pay and will bring Barclays debit cards and Barclaycard credit cards to Apple Pay in future.
— Barclays UK (@BarclaysUK) July 14, 2015
Apple has also updated its Apple Pay participating banks list in the U.K. and moved First Direct and HSBC to the “coming soon” section. First Direct has confirmed on Twitter that Apple Pay will be “available later in July,” while HSBC tweeted that it will be “launching Apple Pay by the end of this month.”
@davidashleyrw I’m sorry you feel the need to leave Ashley. We will be launching Apple Pay by the end of this month. ^JH
— HSBC UK Help (@HSBC_UK_Help) July 14, 2015
The full list of banks with plans to support Apple Pay includes Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, M&S Bank, MBNA, NatWest, Nationwide, Santander, TSB and Ulster Bank.
Apple Pay goes live in the UK: Here’s how to use it
It’s been a while coming, but Apple Pay is now live in the UK. If you own an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, or an Apple Watch connected to an older iPhone, you now have the option of paying for purchases without cards or cash. But how do you set it up, where can you use it, and how much can you spend? These are all questions you might, quite rightfully, need answering before you even think about going on an iPhone-fuelled spending spree. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a handy cheat sheet that explains all you need to know about Apple Pay in the UK. Read on to learn more.
What does it do?
Apple Pay is a service that allows you to buy things in physical stores, as well as in apps and online. Inside the latest iPhones is an NFC chip that can wirelessly communicate with payment terminals in hundreds of thousands of shops all over the UK. Once you’ve paired a credit or debit card to your Apple Pay account, you can simply touch your iPhone against a card reader and approve the purchase with your fingerprint. That’s it, job done.
Developers and online retailers can also incorporate Apple Pay checkout buttons into their apps and websites. Instead of wading through a complicated payment form, you can hit the Apple Pay button and immediately charge whatever you’re buying to a card connected to your account.
How do I set it up?
First, you’ll need to update to the latest version of iOS. Once you have that, you’re all set.
Next up is adding your cards. The majority of UK banks are on board, including Lloyds, Halifax, Natwest, HSBC, Santander, Royal Bank of Scotland, American Express, Nationwide, First Direct and TSB. However, not all will be available on day one (see graphic below). On your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, open the Passbook app and tap the + icon next to Apple Pay in the top-right corner. If you already have a card bound to your iTunes account, you’ll be prompted to input its three-digit CVV code and it’ll automatically be added.
For new cards, you’ll be asked to snap a photo of the card you want to add with the iPhone’s camera. You might need to add a few extra bits of information (including the three-digit security code), which your bank will then verify. What you need to enter manually will depend on which bank you’re with, but once you’ve completed the verification process, you’re ready to use Apple Pay.
Note: As Apple Pay rolls out, you may find that the option takes a while to display in Passbook. To force it through, change your iPhone’s language to United States in Settings – General – Language & Region and add your debit or credit cards. Once you’ve added them, simply switch back to the UK and the cards you have added will remain available.
Where can I use it?
While Apple Pay is a proprietary technology, the contactless platform it supports has been widely adopted by retailers up and down the country. By that, we mean you can use your iPhone to make purchases in any high street store that supports contactless payments, just like you would with a contactless card. If you see one of the following icons, you know you can pay with your phone:
In June, Apple announced it had partnered with a number of big name brands for Apple Pay. Lidl, M&S, the Post Office, McDonald’s, Boots, Costa, Waitrose, Pret, Subway, KFC, Nando’s, New Look and Starbucks are among the supporting retailers, with more expected to back it in the coming months. Transport for London is also on board, so you to pay your bus, train and Tube fare by tapping your phone on the readers at the gates, as you would an Oyster card. Companies like Argos, Domino’s, British Airways, Just Eat, Ocado and Hailo will also let you use Apple Pay inside their apps.
How much can I spend?
This is where things get interesting. You see, Apple Pay facilitates payments of any amount, since Touch ID fingerprint authentication is as secure as confirming a transaction by entering a PIN code. However, because it’s a contactless technology, it will (at least to begin with) be beholden to the same rules as contactless cards. That means that many retailers will limit your iPhone payments to £20 (rising to £30 in September).
This won’t always be the case, though. The contactless limit will only be enforced on older payment terminals. Some outlets may have the necessary hardware installed to handle larger sums from today, but many won’t, so don’t assume your iPhone will be omnipotent right away.
How do I pay?
Luckily, the iPhone knows when you want to pay for something using Apple Pay. If the terminal supports contactless payments, simply hold your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus about an inch from the contactless reader with your finger resting on the Touch ID (home button). If you use your finger to unlock your phone, you’ll know exactly what to do.
What about my Apple Watch?
Apple Pay on your smartwatch is very similar to using it on an iPhone. The Watch must already be paired with an iPhone 5 or newer (you don’t need an iPhone with you to pay) and it must also have a passcode set (for security reasons).
Despite their link, Apple won’t let you copy the cards your iPhone already has on file. That means you’ll have to add them again using the Apple Watch app on your handset and go through the same prompts as we’ve noted above.
If you’re out and you’re ready to pay for something using your Apple Watch, double-click the side power button (below the crown) to select which card you’d like to use. Tilt your wrist towards the contactless terminal until you feel the watch vibrate and hear a quiet beep. Get that feedback and you’ll know your payment has been successful.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple
Facebook Working on ‘Moneypenny’ Personal Assistant for Messenger
Thus far, virtual personal assistants like Siri, Google Now and Cortana have been part of an effort to differentiate mobile platforms like iOS and Android. Facebook, however, is working on bringing virtual personal assistants to its Messenger app and the web, according to The Information.
Facebook’s offering, which is codenamed “Moneypenny” after the assistant character in the James Bond franchise, will allow users to ask real people for help to research and purchase products and services. Moneypenny will be able to help users with other tasks, but it’s unclear what those tasks could be. It’s also unknown when Moneypenny could launch.
In recent months Facebook has been working on turning Messenger into a platform, opening up the service to third-party iOS app integration and allowing developers to build apps for the service. Additionally, Facebook previewed the ability for users to be able to message businesses directly to receive updates and shipping confirmations about their online orders as well as the ability to ask free-form questions about orders from within the app.
Facebook Messenger is available for free on the App Store [Direct Link]
Apple Pay Officially Launches in the United Kingdom Today
Over the past several days, banks and merchants in the United Kingdom have been gearing up for the launch of Apple Pay, and as of today, Apple’s payments service will be officially available for use in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Apple Pay works at participating retail stores and within apps that accept it. Because it requires NFC, it is only available for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users, and Apple Watch users who have an iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus. In-app Apple Pay purchases can be made with an iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus.
According to Apple’s UK Apple Pay site, banks and credit card companies that are participating in the Apple Pay launch include American Express, First Direct, HSBC, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, and Ulster Bank. Additional banks like Barclays, MBNA, TSB, and more are expected to add support in the future.
More than 250,000 locations in the United Kingdom support Apple Pay as of today, ranging from fast food places like KFC and McDonald’s to shops like Boots, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose. A full list of retail shops and apps that accept Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s website.
Apple Pay has been available in the United States since last October and today’s UK Apple Pay launch marks its first expansion. Apple is also rumored to be working on expanding the payments service to several other countries, including China and Canada.
Apple Constraining iPod, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Air Inventory Sent to Third-Party Retailers
Insider inventory constraint information from major retailer Target hints at some possible end of life timelines for various products like the iPod, iPad mini 2, and iPad Air, many of which may be discontinued in the near future following the launch of new products.
According to a screenshot of an internal inventory system shared by a Target employee, all models of the iPod are currently constrained by Apple ahead of a rumored update that could come as soon as tomorrow.
Images of unreleased iPod touches, nanos, and shuffles were first discovered hidden within iTunes 12.2, and a rumor has suggested the iPod touch could receive a processor upgrade and new color options while the nano and the shuffle might be available in new colorways.
As for the iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air, replenishment of existing stock is currently constrained, with Target aiming to have 1 color in stock at each of its stores. Dwindling in-store stock suggests Apple could be planning to discontinue the iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air following the release of new models, which is expected to happen in the fall.
The iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air may be replaced by the iPad mini 3 and the iPad Air 2 as lower-cost older-generation models following the launch of a third-generation iPad Air and a fourth-generation iPad mini. We haven’t heard much on what a third-generation iPad Air might offer, but an A9 processor and Force Touch are solid guesses.
A fourth-generation iPad mini has been rumored to be in the works, with an iPad Air-style redesign that eliminates the mute switch and introduces larger speaker holes. An updated iPad mini would also likely incorporate a much-improved processor, more RAM, and possibly Force Touch.
It is not clear when Apple plans to introduce new iPad mini and iPad Air models, but Target’s guess of fall 2015 is a safe bet. For the last several years, Apple has updated its iPad lineup in October or November, and that’s when we’re likely to see new iPads in 2015. This year’s iPad update may include an all new model, the much-rumored larger-screened iPad Pro.
Apple Releases iTunes 12.2.1 With iTunes Match Fix
Apple today released iTunes 12.2.1, a minor update that introduces some much needed bug fixes for iTunes Match and other features introduced with Apple Music. Apple Music was first released two weeks ago, but included several major bugs with iTunes Match that caused the deletion of entire music libraries and other issues, such as an inability to sign up for Apple Music for former iTunes Match subscribers.
The iTunes 12.2.1 update is available immediately from the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.
– Fixes an issue for iTunes Match where iTunes incorrectly changed some songs from Matched to Apple Music.
– Provides a way to correct a library problem affecting former iTunes Match subscribers.
– Includes minor bug fixes and improvements for Beats 1.
Today’s update fixes the iTunes Match issue that caused iTunes to incorrectly label songs from Matched to Apple Music and it will allow several former iTunes Match subscribers who were unable to sign up for Apple Music to get the service for the first time. In addition, it also includes bug fixes for the Beats 1 radio station, which is built into Apple Music.
12.9-Inch ‘iPad Pro’ Rumored to Launch After Mid-November as Foxconn Prepares Components
The oft-rumored 12.9-inch “iPad Pro” is expected to launch after mid-November as overseas manufacturer Foxconn prepares to start supplying components for the large-sized tablet in late September, according to the sometimes-reliable Taiwanese blog DigiTimes. Apple reportedly remains cautious about placing orders for the “iPad Pro” from suppliers due to declining iPad sales and weakening demand in the overall tablet market.
12.9-inch “iPad Pro” dummy model originally shared in February 2015
DigiTimes has a hit-and-miss track record reporting on Apple’s upcoming product plans, so this latest rumor should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt. Nevertheless, the rumor is consistent with previous reports that widely expect the “iPad Pro” to launch in the second half of this year. Apple has also historically announced new iPad models in October, which lines up with a launch around mid-November.
A related DigiTimes report claims that China-based white-box tablet makers are preparing to capitalize on the “iPad Pro” launch and seasonal shopping trends by releasing tablets in the 10-inch to 15-inch throughout the second half of 2015. The tablet makers are said to be sourcing components from Taiwan-based touch controller IC makers including ITE Tech, Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) and ILi Technology (Ilitek).
Apple’s Share of Smartphone Industry Profit Rises to 92%, Despite iPhone Representing Less Than 20% of Sales
A new report out over the weekend by Canaccord Genuity estimates that Apple has recorded a 92 percent share of the world’s entire smartphone market in the first quarter of 2015, which is up from 65 percent a year earlier. The company managed to do so on less than 20 percent of actual smartphone sales, which the Wall Street Journal accounts to the company’s “ability to command much higher prices for its phones.”
Behind Apple was Samsung with a total of 15 percent of the smartphone market, with the two combining to tally up for more than 100 percent of the industry’s profits, “because other makers broke even or lost money, in Canaccord’s calculations.” In the early days of the iPhone, Canaccord estimates that Nokia was holding two-thirds of the smartphone industry’s profits, but by 2012, Apple and Samsung shared the industry’s profits at a nearly exact 50/50 split.
“The dominance of Apple is something that is very hard to overcome,” said Denny Strigl, former chief operating officer of Verizon Communications Inc. “Apple has to stumble somehow or another, and I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Canaccord contributes Apple’s bigger-than-ever market dominance to a combination of increased iPhone sales and higher prices for the bigger-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus released last year. A year before, an iPhone sold at an average of $624 — compared to $185 for Android-running smartphones — according to data collected by Strategy Analytics. By the end of 2015’s first quarter, Apple had sold 43 percent more iPhones than the year before and at a higher price of about $659 thanks to the bigger screened models.
Apple’s dominance doesn’t seem to be slowing down as we move closer to the launch of the next generation of iPhone, with the company reportedly ordering a record-breaking amount of units for the so-called “iPhone 6s” launch later this year. Its rivals won’t be threatening to take any of its market share at the moment, either, with companies like HTC and Samsung reporting quarterly losses and “disappointing profits” and Microsoft just last week laying off 7,800 employees, primarily in its smartphone business.
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