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SO ANOTHER YEAR has passed and another Apple event is done and dusted.
While there were many product announcements and services introduced during a frantic two hours, there were many more talking points that came from the event. Here are the main ones.
Mobile payments is a long-term game Apple is playing
The rumours of mobile payments and NFC featuring were pretty much bang on as Apple Pay was announced. Prioritising privacy and convenience, Apple’s mobile wallet may have a good chance of succeeding considering the number of companies and brands it’s teamed up with in the US.
But adoption will be very slow. The only devices that support this are the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch, which will likely sell well, but the higher than usual price might deter some, even with contract subsidies.
Also, the number of retail stores supporting it in the US from the word go is said to be around 220,000, a tiny percentage of the seven to nine million merchants that accept credit cards.
Instead, this move sets the foundation for such a service and Apple has the influence and resources to make such an idea work. It will likely need two or three more years before any results emerge, but if they’re positive, then it will pay off handsomely for the company.
Apple didn’t address the elephant in the room, and that could hurt it
Perhaps it didn’t want to dampen the jovial mood it set during the event, or couldn’t fit it in, but not addressing the iCloud troubles in any form may have come as a surprise to some.
Whether it was an intentional decision or they were simply unable to fit it in without sacrificing part of the event schedule, it was more jarring when you consider how much emphasis it put on security and privacy around Apple Pay.
Maybe it will address it properly later on, but there was a genuine opportunity to lay some uncertainties to rest, and by not taking that chance, it could have a negative effect on other products like Apple Pay.
Apple continues to position itself as a lifestyle company
At Apple’s developer conference in June, it introduced HomeKit, its entry into the smart home market, and HealthKit. Now the inclusion of Apple Watch and the company’s acquisition of Beats Electronic means the company is now firmly placed in the lifestyle industry.
For example, while Apple Watch functional and has some nice features, the product is made to look stylish, something you will be happy to wear anywhere you go. Why else would there be a luxury version of its smartwatch?
Apple has been obsessed with design since the early days, but now it wants to feature in every part of your life. Considering what it has at its disposal, it could very well do that.
There’s no i in Apple (at least for newer products)
With the exception of the iPhone, one of the more noticeable aspects about Apple’s event is that its new products dropped the ‘i’ naming scheme for every new product it announced.
Perhaps it wanted to give the brand name more coverage or got tired of the iSore jokes that would regularly accompany said announcements, but the i is becoming less prevalent and is only propped up by the iPhone. Speaking of which…
Is Apple giving up on the iPad?
While the iPhone 6 Plus may seem like an anomaly for Apple smartphones, the 5.5 inch screen may be directed more towards professionals and companies who want the benefits of a tablet, but aren’t willing to invest in one.
By their very nature, tablets have found themselves in a no-man’s land as anything it can do, a computer or smartphone can do better. iPad sales have been stagnant in recent months and if the uptake of the 6 Plus is positive, then the iPad’s future may be less certain.
Apple smartwatch looks solid, but one major detail was left unanswered
At least from first impressions, Apple Watch looks like a good device, but despite the features, additions and extras included, there was no mention of battery life.
The entire purpose of wearable technology is that you’re able to forget about it until you actually need it and with Apple Watch promising to track your activity, fire notifications and message, it’s going to be a drain on battery life. The only aspect that was touched upon was the charger it uses which doesn’t inspire confidence.
Free U2 album = more iTunes users & more Apple Pay users
As much as we like to criticise and slag off U2, it’s hard to ignore just how influential the band is even after all these years. While many scoffed at the news it was offering its new album for free on iTunes, it will be downloaded and listened to in its droves.
The important detail is that anyone who signs up to iTunes before 13 October, you get it for free. U2 is still influential enough for non-iTunes users to sign up to the service and people will sign up. And that may come in useful for Apple Pay, which uses iTunes details for purchases.
The real success story has Irish roots
While the entire event was Apple’s, people may have missed Stripe’s announcement. The company, which was founded by Limerick brothers John and Patrick Collison, announced a partnership with Twitter yesterday to help power an ecommerce service, and soon after Apple Pay’s unveiling, immediately offering integration with it.
The fact that it’s so on the ball with trends and well regarded is the reason why it’s receiving many plaudits, and is something that most Irish businesses can take inspiration from.
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600 – The number of people travelling from Ireland to Germany to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.
Haha!
Lol!!!
its because they Assume its their right to be there, and they are entitled to destroy, steal, crap anywhere they want.
Interesting to see how the majority of comments were deleted from the traveler article and even have removed the comment facility. Obviously we dont want to offend Pavee Point!
Bit late!!!!!!!!!!!
Bad day for Pavee Point…2 atrocities by 2 of their “client” groups in 2 days…Gypsy slavers in Meath and the Traveller Jihadis in the Vaterland….poor vulnerable minorities….
Is this the thread about the traveller story?
Yep. Just don’t mention them.
It sure is !
The Eu open border is working to Irelands advantage.
Lol, very witty!
Meant for Les!
Thanks Kate. How you doin’?
Good thanks thanks Les!, hope you got those towels dry, enjoying the lighthearted banter, makes a pleasant change!?
Indeed Kate. Things have gotten very serious here in the journal.ie recently. Have to do our best to bring some mirth to the proceedings. What you up to tonight? I’m getting locked.
Funny…!
You enjoy Les, don’t drink myself!, enjoy the fight, I’ll be chilling myself!
Sure you’ll have one?! Antibiotics?
Lol, do my best to give them a miss as well Les!
You’re right too Kate. Anyway, there’s stuff to be dried here so I’ll head.
Pleasure Les!
Completely out of character in fairness maybe they were travellers from some other country ?
Posting to comments in the story re the “ethnic” group destroying any good will we have in Europe is disabled. Someones cousin must be married to their cousin
Ethnic/racial/disenfranchised/marginalised/vulnerable/oppressed ( take your pick ) group…..
Peter, Sounds like to open statement from yer man from pavee pointless. You know the fellow, he is the one that did a diploma in sociology and trots out all the terminology in the first 30 seconds ( irrespective of what he is asked)
I could add a few more to that I list ..but I’ll refrain ..
Go on…you are among friends here…
I don’t have such an eloquent way with words like you do ! ..
Suzie…that “eloquence” is a complete sham….it hides the fact that im actually quite thick and my unprecedentedly large vocabulary implies i actually comprehend the meanings of many of the words i use….
Of course … you hide it so well … Lol !
Sociology….sociologists state that as an oppressed and marginalised and vulnerable minority ethnic social group Travellers are forced by society to compete – with conflict when necessary – with each other and other oppressed, vulnerable and marginalised minority social and/or racial/ethnic groups for scarce resources due to forced unemployment, racism, oppresdion, stigmatisation, bigotry, poverty, police harrassment, poor housing, health inequalities, educational discrimination etc…..that is Sociology and why the Travellers are victims..not responsible for behaving like Visigoths in Germany.
Sorry…”oppression”…and not cut and paste.
Always someone else’s fault , always has to be a reason or an excuse for their behaviour . They’re not forced into anything !
Did i not mention how Islamaphobia and homophobia have an egregious and deliterious effect on the homogeneity of the Traveller “community”? How did i overlook such contemporaneous causal factors in Traveller delinquency?
Bloody German “country people” spoiling all the fun sure it’s just our culture, we have it beat into us that we can’t sleep with our own women till we marry them so what are we supposed to do, aye they may look, dress and dance like (insert your own words here) but they can’t go anywhere without a chaperone – no siree that’s the gods honest truth I swear on me dead granny’s grave. Now where do ye want this Tarmac it’s a one day only deal, are ye sure tell ye what I’ll clean them gutters for 20 spuds and a chicken…
LoL….German “Buffers”!!!!!
Oh yeah that’s right no other country produces them just us sorry
Those colourful traveler boy’s, up to their old tricks again!
There must be a market for gates and shed painting in Germany then.
Hey
Hey a/s/l?
Charlie. . You’re in way too many chat rooms ..
@ FCR
WB
@ Suzie
Just cause you won’t talk to me Suzie..
Not true I always have time for Charlie ….
Is “Charlie” slang for Colombian marching powder? Jeez im starting to become jism stoonhager or Tariq or Liam…
Tariq .. I mean Peter ..I don’t know what you’re talking about .. I was just referring to Mr. Fogarty ..lol
Great Craic Sis….and no Tariq/Jester/Liam/Rowe/Phil/Avina/Malachi/Mick/Jason/Rowe/Prousse for miles….so..do you come here often?
Lol .. sshh Tariq has just arrived in the building … I’m a night owl so I’m around a lot ! Makes a change to have a bit of craic on here ..
1 idiot online Journal that provides a bit of lite entertainment with their stupid articles.
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