Tag: iphone 5s

The electronics retailer is offering this opportunity to iPhone owners over the Labor Day weekend.

Best Buy ran a new promotion over the weekend that allowed the owners of certain Apple gadgets to be able to bring in their old version of the iPhone devices in order to take part in a trade-in that would allow them to purchase the current version of the device, the iPhone 5.

The event ran for the length of the holiday weekend and gave a considerable discount on the current Apple device.

The electronics retailer offered people who brought in their old iOS gadgets the opportunity to purchase the current iPhone 5 – in either the 16 GB or 32 GB version – at a discount of 50 percent. It was focused specifically at individuals trading in their functional iPhone 4 or their iPhone 4S.

This gadget trade-in trend is growing among retailers and has been over the last few months.

The reason that gadgets retailers are promoting the current iPhone 5 with massive discounts through old iPhone or other devices is that it is expected that the next version of the Apple smartphone will soon be released, and they are hoping to clear the older version of the product off their shelves before that happens. This type of promotion is starting to happen quite routinely as some of the leading manufacturers release upgrades to their previous generations of devices.

It has also been suggested that Apple, itself, has certain programs up its sleeve to encourage the exchange of old gadgets for their latest devices. For example, they have already created programs through carrier partners such as T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon Communications. However, it is also expected to begin an in-store program that would allow consumers to trade in their old iOS devices so that they would be able to obtain a discount when it comes time to purchasing a newer model.

The latest rumors are suggesting that Apple will be unveiling both an iPhone 5S, as well as an iPhone 5C, on September 10, 2013. The speculations about the new device are soaring and have already even suggested that T-Mobile and AT&T employees have been told that they will not be allowed vacation time during the time on and surrounding September 20, suggesting that that may be the weekend in which the products will be officially launched.

Apple could enter into mobile commerce arena with biometric technology

Apple may be gearing up to make a strong push into the mobile commerce sector. The company has had an interest in mobile payments for some time, but has taken a cautious approach to mobile commerce due to concerns regarding NFC technology. Apple had claimed that the technology was simply not capable to meet its needs and had been looking for an effective alternative. The company may have found that alternative in biometrics.

AuthenTec technology may be a boon for Apple

In 2012, Apple acquired AuthenTec, a company that had specialized in using biometric technology for security purposes. The acquisition gave Apple access to the company’s technology and enables Apple to make use of this technology as it sees fit. AuthenTec’s fingerprint sensors were particularly attractive to Apple, which believes such technology could be an effective way to make mobile commerce more secure. Such technology could also make security for mobile devices somewhat more convenient as it would eliminate the need for consumers to input their passwords multiple times a day.

iPhone 5S photos suggest changes to hardware

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 5S later this year and leaked images of the device have recently found their way to the Internet. These images show some modest changes to iPhone hardware, suggesting that there may be room for biometric technologies and other, similar features. There is no guarantee that this will be the case, of course, as Apple has a track record of making drastic renovations to iPhone hardware before the official launch of a new generation of these devices.

Apple shows some interest in mobile commerce

Rumors had suggested that the iPhone 5 would be equipped with NFC technology, but Apple dispelled these rumors and garnered harsh criticism from consumers due to the fact that the device did not feature NFC support. The lack of NFC technology has kept the iPhone 5 from serving as a mobile commerce platform. This has set Apple somewhat behind other companies in this sector, but Apple may soon be able to make a powerful entry into mobile commerce if its biometrics initiatives are successful.