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Apple Watch Ultra models outsell entry-level Apple Watch SE

CompuScoop Staff August 17, 2024 0 7

In its latest report, Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) takes a look at the basic profile of Apple Watch sales and finds that Apple’s high-end Apple Watch Ultra models combined outsell the entry-level Apple Watch SE. Apple Watch Series 9 dominates with 43% share of Apple Watch sales, more than Ultra, Ultra 2, and SE combined (32%).

According to the study, Series 9 (43%) and Series 8 (19%) were the best-selling models in the June quarter of 2024.

The Apple Watch SE 2 follows, with 12% of sales. Combined, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (11%) and the first Ultra (9%) sold more than the SE 2 and Nike edition (5%) combined. However, it’s interesting to see that a large portion of customers are still buying older models.

In total, almost one in every three Apple Watches sold in this June quarter were from an older generation, which shows that Apple hasn’t made significant changes to justify the upgrade instead of saving some money.

Via: BGR.com

Driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet are coming soon to California

Apple Inc August 16, 2024 0 2

Californians will soon be able to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet, providing a seamless and secure way to present driver’s licenses or state IDs using just an iPhone or Apple Watch.

“We’re excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple’s home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver’s license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “Whether using IDs in AppleWallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless — all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.”

Users with an ID in Apple Wallet can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their ID in person at select TSA security checkpoints and businesses, as well as in select apps to verify their age or identity.

Security and Privacy

Apple Wallet uses the privacy and security features that are built into iPhone and Apple Watch to help protect a user’s identity and personal information. When adding an ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority receives only information they need to approve or deny adding the driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet.

Apple Wallet uses the privacy and security features that are built into iPhone and Apple Watch to help protect a user’s ide

tity and personal information. When adding an ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority receives only information they need to approve or deny adding the driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet.

When presenting a driver’s license and state ID in Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is presented, and users will need to review and authorize using Face ID or Touch ID before the information is shared. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID.

A user’s ID information is encrypted and stored only on their device, so others, including Apple, cannot access it unless a user chooses to present it. Apple and the state-issuing authority do not know when or where or with whom a user presents their driver’s license or state ID, and Apple doesn’t see or retain any presentment information that can be tied back to a user. If a user misplaces their iPhone or Apple Watch, they can use the Find My app to lock their device and help locate it, or remotely erase it.
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Apple TV+ has another hit on its hands with ‘Bad Monkey,’ starring Vince Vaughn

CompuScoop Staff August 15, 2024 0 5

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="660"] Via: Apple TV+[/caption]

[G]oing by the first reactions to their brand-new Vince Vaughn comedy-drama, it looks like the Apple TV Plus library has gained yet another must-watch show.

The show we’re talking about is “Bad Monkey”, a new black comedy detective drama based on the 2013 book of the same name by Carl Hiaasen.

As a streaming writer, I do my best to check out as much TV as possible. Now, I’ve already dipped into the opening episode of “Bad Monkey”, and I’d wager it’ll be hard not to get sucked into this breezy black comedy.

Vaughn’s a charismatic lead from the get-go, one who bounces off the rest of the ensemble well, and the show’s wicked sense of humor already has me laughing. What I’ve seen of the show so far has convinced me to add “Bad Monkey” to my weekly rotation of shows.

If my reaction’s not enough to convince you, then maybe reactions from critics will be. On the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes, the series is certified Fresh, and currently holds a 92% critics’ score, from a total of 26 reviews. The show doesn’t currently have an audience score, but seeing as it only dropped today, that makes sense.

The critical consensus reads: “A vibrant riff on the P.I. serials of television’s yesteryear, “Bad Monkey” is a breezy good time that fully leverages Vince Vaughn’s motormouth charms.”

Via: Tom's Guide

Apple Developers can soon offer in‑app NFC transactions using the Secure Element

Apple Inc August 14, 2024 0 1

Developers can soon offer in‑app NFC transactions using the Secure Element

Starting with iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer NFC contactless transactions using the Secure Element from within their own apps on iPhone, separate from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Using the new NFC and SE (Secure Element) APIs, developers will be able to offer in-app contactless transactions for in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit, corporate badges, student IDs, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards cards, and event tickets, with government IDs to be supported in the future.

As users’ security and privacy is of the utmost importance to Apple, this new solution was designed to provide developers with a secure way to offer NFC contactless transactions from within their iOS apps. The NFC and SE APIsleverage the Secure Element — an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store sensitive information securely on device. Apple has dedicated significant resources to design a solution that protects users’ security and privacy, leveraging a number of Apple’s proprietary hardware and software technologies when making a contactless transaction, including the Secure Enclave, biometric authentication, and Apple servers. To make a contactless transaction within an app that utilizes these APIs, users can either open the app directly, or set the app as their default contactless app in iOS Settings, and double-click the side button on iPhone to initiate a transaction.

To incorporate this new solution in their iPhone apps, developers will need to enter into a commercial agreement with Apple, request the NFC and SE entitlement, and pay the associated fees. This ensures that only authorized developers who meet certain industry and regulatory requirements, and commit to Apple’s ongoing security and privacy standards, can access the relevant APIs. The NFC and SE APIs will be available to developers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. in an upcoming developer seed for iOS 18.1, with additional locations to follow. Developers and users will continue to have access to the easy, secure, and private experience of Apple Pay and Wallet.

Press Contacts

Heather Norton

Apple

heather_norton@apple.com

Kimberly Mai

Apple

k_mai@apple.com

Apple Media Helpline

media.help@apple.com