Tag: apple

Apple software update causes a loss in cellular service

An iOS 8 update has been pulled after new software caused dropped calls.

After releasing its newest version of its iOS 8 Apple software earlier this week, the electronics giant had to withdraw its mobile update when a great number of its iPhone customers experienced a loss in cellular service, preventing them from making calls with their smartphones.

Some customers even reported the Touch ID feature stopped working due to the update.

While most iPhone users who downloaded the update experienced a drop in calls, some complained that the Touch ID feature, the fingerprint reader, would also not work. In a statement, Apple said that it has received reports of these issues linked to the latest mobile operating system update, which is known as iOS 8.0.1. However, the company did say that customers can still use iOS 8 in spite of the issue.

Trudy Muller, a spokesperson for Apple said that “We are actively investigating these reports and will provide information as quickly as we can.” Muller added that “In the meantime, we have pulled back the iOS 8.0.1 update.”

Since its release, the iOS 8 Apple software has had more than one problem.

Apple Software - dropped callsAccording to data from analytics firm Crittercism Inc., iOS 8 causes apps to crash roughly 3.3% of the time. To put this into greater perspective, compared to last year’s version of iOS, the latest version crashes apps 67% more. Since its release last week, popular applications from Dropbox and Facebook have been failing regularly and the company had to delay the release of its HealthKit apps – the company’s much anticipated health and fitness-monitoring application – due to unexpected software bugs. Customers have also said that they have had to delete data such as apps, videos and photos from their phones to make space for the latest software.

Frank Gillett, a Forrester Research analyst said, “that’s the danger with all these updates: if you get it wrong, it goes wrong big, bad and fast.” Gillett added that “There’s a fundamental question of how it got out in the first place.”

iOS is the Apple software that powers all of the company’s mobile devices, including the iPhone, the iPad and the iPod Touch. It is estimated by Apple Inc. that as many as 46% of devices that connect to its App Store run iOS 8.

Mobile payments firm announces support for Apple Pay and Bitcoin

Square will begin supporting Apple Pay and Bitcoin through its new register service

Square, a prominent mobile payments firm in North America, recently announced that it will be registering its service with Apple Pay. The firm is yet another prominent entity in the mobile commerce space that has begun showing support for the Apple Pay platform. Square is not limiting itself to showing support for Apple Pay, of course, and has also announced that it is considering supporting Bitcoin, a somewhat controversial digital currency.

Register service aims to accept any form of payment that will become available in the future

The firm is currently developing a register service that will allow merchants to accept traditional payments, checks, credit cards, and digital currency. Eventually, the service is meant to accept any form of payment that could emerge in the future as a way to help merchants connect with the ever evolving nature of mobile technology and how mobile payments are influencing consumer behavior. Supporting Bitcoin is one of the first steps in this endeavor.

Bitcoin continues to gain traction despite volatile nature

Mobile Payments Support for BitcoinBitcoin is somewhat controversial because of its unregulated nature. The lack of regulation makes Bitcoin somewhat volatile in terms of value. The value of this digital currency often fluctuates with little reason. At the beginning of 2014, a single Bitcoin was worth approximately $1,000. Now, however, a single coin is worth $435. The value of this currency changes based on various factors, most of which are impossible to control. Because of its volatile nature, some merchants avoid Bitcoin, but others are beginning to embrace it in order to better accommodate digital consumers.

Square does not see Apple Pay as competition because they both accomplish different tasks

Square notes that Apple Pay is not considered to be a competition for Square. Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square, claims that Apple Pay is only a platform that enables mobile payments, while Square processes these payments. Square does not build a payment device, but rather serves as a payment processor for organizations that are involved in the mobile commerce space.