Recent Posts

The tekwerx blog regularly updates with the latest news and information regarding Apple related products and services from around the world.

12

Amazon Prime Video Now Available for Apple TV

Now available in more than 100 countries, the Amazon Prime Video app makes its long-awaited debut for third, fourth, and fifth-generation Apple TV models. This is a big deal, as Apple’s set-top box is one of the last platforms to support this streaming service.

In addition to a familiar interface spanning across all other streaming platforms, the Amazon Prime Video app is special to the Apple TV in that utilizes Universal Search, a feature available only to Apple TV that allows users to search for all available Amazon Prime Video content using a system-wide search. In addition to this useful feature, the TV app is also integrated with this streaming service, allowing for even further accessibility.

The streaming service is also available in 4K for televisions sets and a first for 4K Apple TV users. Amazon Prime Video does require an Amazon Prime subscription, for a price of $10.99 per month, or $99 for the entire year.

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12

Apple Pay Cash: The All-New Convenient Way to Bank


Apple Pay Cash, much like Venmo and PayPal, is a peer-to-peer payment service that allows users to transfer money easily through the iOS interface.

To take advantage of this feature, the user must first activate Apple Pay Cash on their device via the instructions below:

1. Open the Wallet app
2. To set up Apple Pay, tap “Add Credit Card or Debit Card”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions and tap “Set Up Touch ID & Passcode”
4. If you already have Touch ID & Passcode enabled, you will not need to set one up for Apple Pay

Once your payment information is saved to the Wallet app:

1. Open any conversation in Messages
2. Tap the Messages App Store icon
3. Choose the “Apple Pay” icon
4. Tap the “+” or “-” buttons to enter an amount
5. Tap “Request” or “Pay”
6. Press the blue arrow to send

In the Wallet app, the money you’ve sent is listed as “pending” after sending a payment. This status will remain until the recipient accepts it, and all paid transactions are listed under “Last Transaction.”

There is no charge for sending money via Apple Pay Cash or a debit card, however, there is a 3% fee for using a credit card. After receiving your funds, it may be added to your Apple Pay Cash card in the Wallet app, or transferred to any bank account.

Apple Pay Cash is now available for iPhone 6 and later, iPhone SE, all iPad Pro models, the fifth-generation iPad, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 3 models running iOS 11.2.

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11

Urgent High Sierra Security Vulnerability

If you are currently running High Sierra in your home or business, this urgent message pertains to you.

As of today, a bug was found in the current High Sierra version 10.13.1. This bug allows anyone to gain administrative privileges by entering the username “root”, followed by a blank password in the Users & Groups tab within System Preferences.

Apple has just addressed this matter by releasing a security update for High Sierra that fixes this issue. It is important that users download the latest update as soon as possible to ensure the safety of their computer and its data.

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11

Apple Park Visitor Center Officially Opens to the Public


Apple Park officially expanded its campus today to include the newly-designed Apple Park Visitor Center. Located in Cupertino, CA, this innovative addition to the campus is an experience unlike any other, allowing its guests to experience the inventive technology that Apple has to offer in one conveniently-public location. The structure itself has a carbon fiber roof that is supported by stone clad cores, giving it a floating-like illusory appearance, and is being named as one of the largest on-site solar energy installations in the world.

To ensure that guests are getting the best experience out of the Apple Park, a three-dimensional model of the campus is given life through augmented reality technology, an immersive experience of what the Visitor Center has to offer. Guests may learn about the structure itself, as well as have the ability to get a unique look into the office pod layout.

The sights are also stunning on the roof terrace of the Visitor Center, and there is much to be seen. Guests may get a glimpse of the Apple Park and its scenic landscapes, as well as the thousands of native and drought resistant trees on the campus grounds. Guests may also visit the café on the first floor, and purchase official Apple Park branded merchandise.

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11

Tek Tip of the Day!

Tek Tip of the Day!

Did you know that you can customize Control Center on your iPhone?

Navigate to Settings > Control Center

In addition to what is already set by default, you can pick from a variety of useful applications that can be accessed instantly!

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11

11

Apple: The World’s Only Trillion Dollar Company?

It’s a great time to be an Apple user! Apple is currently just shy of becoming the world’s only trillion-dollar company.

Crazy right? Not really. From their user-friendly products, to their successful track record of innovations, it’s easy to see why this makes sense.

In order for Apple to make this major accomplishment happen, Apple shares must increase to the $195 mark, which ultimately depends on the rate of its share buybacks, according to Wall Street analysts. Interestingly enough, these analysts have predicted this success for Apple since early 2012.

Only time will tell! Stay tuned.

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11

Tek Tip of the Day!

Need more storage space on your iPhone?

Simply go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage

You can easily free up space by deleting old conversations in Messenger, as well as review and delete any large attachments.

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09

Apple to Unveil “Airpods” with iPhone 7?

As we inch closer and closer to Apple’s much revered fall press conference, more exciting rumors are making their rounds on the internet regarding the iPhone 7. While it has long been speculated that the iPhone 7 would ditch the headphone jack, more surprising suppositions have been made in terms of how it would be replaced.

According to this alleged leak out of Hong Kong, the new iPhone will be shipped with a set of “Airpods”, Apple’s first standard set of Bluetooth earbuds. Also, along with the new wireless buds they will include an adapter for standard 3.5 mm jack to lightning port.

While this evidence alone might not be so compelling, the “Airpod” headphones are also named on another document filed by Apple to the Eurasian Economic Commission, a regulatory body responsible for trademarks and patents.

All of this combined with the announcement that Apple would be announcing new Beats technology at the same conference is intriguing to say the least.

Credit Synkami/twitter
Credit Synkami/twitter

Air Dre’s? Dre Pods? Only time will tell.

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06

WWDC 2016: iOS 10 Preview

Last week Apple held their annual WWDC keynote, and as to be expected there were a ton of exciting developments for iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and OS X. This week we are going to break down some of the new technology announcements concerning the mobile platform and what to expect with the launch of iOS 10.

iOS 10:
The long-awaited tune up of Apple’s mobile operating system has finally been announced for a fall release. While not a complete overhaul, iOS 10 offers several great new features that will make an immediate impact, including opening APIs of several existing features to developers, simplified styling and notifications, and more.

Rise of Siri
One of the most anticipated features will be the opening of Siri’s API to developers. While seemingly not so exciting out of the box, this will allow full integration of Siri’s voice recognition technology into limitless third-party apps. This will greatly increase the power of Siri, and the functionality of the iPhone as a whole. Now apps like Uber will be able to facilitate Siri commands instead of only native apps.

iMessages Sweet New Suite 

Apple has always been at the forefront of changing the way we communicate, and the new features in iMessage will do just that. iMessage will now feature bubble animations, in-line drawing for hand written messages, link previews, invisible ink, and more. Better yet, following in line with their recent trend they are opening API to third-party developers for iMessage as well, allowing for endless enhancements. Check out techboi6000’s great visual recap below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sPK3g-XIlQ

Maps to Success

 

Aside from opening the API, which will allow for integration of many popular third-party apps (think Yelp, Opentable) maps is also getting a couple other great upgrades. You will now be able to easily change view during navigation, i.e. zooming out or observing ahead in your route along the map. My favorite feature announced however will be the ability to search for specific points of interest along your route. Need to stop by a car wash on your way to visit a client? Maps can now search and implement for most direct routes with options to make multiple stops. Lastly, road trippers rejoice as maps will finally locate gas stations as well, especially convenient when added as a stop on a trip.

Automated Everything with HomeKit

With the rise of home-automation systems, Apple has now formally thrown their hat into the ring with the announcement that the HomeKit app, now called simply “Home” will come standard with a download of iOS 10. Now you can control lights, climate, cameras, door locks, and more directly from your iPhone. While this app will require extra equipment for any practical use, Home can be used across several additional platforms (TV and OS X) and could end up being an important step for Apple.

Photos

In a step that looks very similar to Google Photos, iOS10 will now feature facial recognition, as well as object and location recognition to sort and group photos. They call this new technology “Computer Vision”!

Check out MacRumors Photos feature review here:

Check back next week for a functional review of OS X 10.12 Sierra!

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