Apple’s New Swift Programming Language

As disclosed to analysts, Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive informed that the company’s new Swift programming language would be a huge leap forward for the iOS ecosystem and an excellent contributing means to the company’s new partnership with IBM targeting enterprise app development.

Cook started off his opening remarks stating Apple’s `best ever’ Worldwide Developer Conference had attracted a new record audience of twenty million people across the world watching their keynote, where the company had introduced Swift together with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.

With regards to Swift as an innovative programming language for iOS and OS X, Tim Cook noted that Swift was the result of the latest research on programming language accompanied with decades of experience in building Apple platform.

This makes writing code, interactive and fun, eliminating the whole class of unsafe code and generating apps which run lightning fast according to Cook. It makes learning easy, enabling more people to dream big thereby creating whole new categories of app.

 His belief is that with the new OS release and with the combination of Swift, a huge leap forwards for the Apple ecosystem will take place and that they are anxious to see what developers will create with Yosemite iOS 8 together with Swift.

Forged Relationship with IBM

Cook has further described Apple as extending iOS in more directions, outlining the company’s plans for CarPlay which is safe together with intuitive user interface at the time of driving, besides HealthKit integration along with medical providers and fitness sensor makers.

HomeKit as described by Cook is a way to control lights, doors, thermostats together with other connected devices all over the house with the help of Siri.

Cook has further stated that in the enterprise market they have forged a relationship with IBM in delivering new class of mobile business solutions to enterprise customers all across the globe and are striving to provide companies with access to the power of big data analytics on every employee’s iPhone or iPad.

With the use of Swift, Apple will be collaborating in bringing over 100 MobileFirst app to enterprise consumers where each can address a specific industry opportunity or need.

Open Large Market Opportunities 

Cook states that this will open a large market opportunity for Apple and a radical step for enterprise and a great opportunity for productivity and creativity for enterprise customers. He concluded stating `from the pocket, to the car, to the workplace, home and gym, they have a very large vision of what iOS could be and are incredibly excited about their plans.

Apple has paid its App Store developers over $20 billion which is nearly half of what was paid over the last twelve month. Cook added stating that in China, Apple’s iTunes software and services inclusive of the Apple Store has been increasing year after year.

Relating to enterprise app, Cook informed that Apple and IBM both envisage `mobile in enterprise seems to be an enormous opportunity and later responded to queries regarding Apple whether it would continue to take a cut of enterprise app which would be sold through iTunes, to which he stated that there were no plans to change the rules with enterprise.

Apple Granted Patent for Wrist Worn Wearable

Apple has been working on a smartwatch device and the Cupertino Company has been granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the wrist worn wearable electronic device with strap capabilities, support for arm and wrist gestures together with advanced proximity sensing circuitry and much more features for the consumers. The device has been dubbed `iTime’ and fits appropriately with speculation regarding the so called iWatch smartwatch.

The claim of its creation as the title indicates, relates to a wrist worn devices which can be connected to other portables such as the computers, iPhone and even the watch’s straps which can integrate sensor with other circuitry to improve the device performance.

This new invention pertains to a convertible type of smartwatch which incorporated with a central electronic devicethat can be removed and secured to an advanced strap system and the idea is liken to Apple’s sixth generation iPod nano which spawned a cottage industry for ad-hoc solution and turned the media player to a wrist watch style device.

Potential Inclusion – GPS Module/Accelerometers/Wireless Communication Packages

With regards to operation, the system is based on converting the square shaped iPod nano into a smartwarch. Initial claims that the media play can be inserted in specially made straps which integrate several electrical components to enhance the capabilities of the device.

Besides, the document mentions sections like GPS modules, accelerometers, and wireless communication packages with haptic feedback mechanism as potentials for inclusion in the advanced strap structure.

Apple gives a briefing on how this `piconet’, works, wherein through either wired or wireless communication protocols, the wristwatch is operational by connecting to a cellular or internet connected device, Information can then be exchanged from iPhone to watch or from the watch to iPhone on user’s request or automatically.

In a single embodiment, the watch is capable of receiving notification which could be initiated from a nearby phone, thereby alerting the user either via audio, visual or vibration.

Once the user has been alerted, he has the option to take out the iPhone or check the notification from the watch which could be in the form of onscreen, audio output like system speakers or headphones.

Contingency for Arm and Wrist Gestures 

Several embodiment enable incoming phone calls, text messages together with social and news network feed besides other information which can be displayed on the wristband’s display.

The app can tap into the functions providing their own notifications probably through iOS APIs and data is pushed to the wearable though users will be able to handle the information directly by inter-acting with the device source.

Moreover the wristband can also be linked to an iPhone to alert the user when left behind by mistake, or stolen or out of range and though not mentioned in the IP, appropriate communications protocol for this function would be Bluetooth4.0 which supports proximity based operations.

Apple is considering a wristband based remote input and output interface enabling a high level control for mobile phone which is known as a smartwatch.There is a contingency for arm and wrist gestures instead of controlling the smartwatch with the use of fingers and users would be able to bounce, shake, tap of interact with the device through physical movements.

Apple’s Latest Mac with AppleCare Protection Plan

Apple insider has been teaming with Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama as part of its continuous effort in delivering the lowest price on its Apple Macs and iOS devices with a 3 Year AppleCare Protection Plans on purchase of a Mac done in the month of July.

The average savings done from purchase range from $300 and $800 off MSRP when combined with prevailing discounts up to $250 on Macs together with added tax savings benefit in around 48 to 50 states.

From the original purchase date, the AppleCare Protection Plan offers direct, one stop access to Apple’s award winning telephone technical support up to three years for question with regards to Apple hardware, OS X iLife and iWork together with global repair coverage for Mac with both labour and parts, provided with convenient service options.

Complimentary Telephone Technical Support

Every Mac has been provided with a complimentary telephone technical support from Mac purchase together with a one year warranty limit. The AppleCare Protection Plan also entitles the user to even extend service coverage to three years from the computer’s date of purchase. Users can engage the services of Apple’s technical support experts as and when needed and get their queries sorted out together with any need for repair services besides global repair coverage for Mac which is offered with convenient service options to their consumers.

The AppleCare Protection Plan can only be purchased while the Mac is covered under its standards warranty period of one year. Users could take advantage of the offers by making a choice on Mac from the Adorama and B&H Photo options wherein the 21.5 inch iMac with 8GB and a 1TB hard drive is available for $1,349 with a saving of $150 cut off from the standard price.

 Adorama and B&H have been offering the 27 inch 3.2GHz iMac with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive at $1,679.99. Besides these, they also have the higher end 27 inch 3.4 GHz iMac for $1,679.99. 

One Year Limited Warranty

This is a great opportunity for users since buying from Adorama and B&H provides the benefit of no sales tax in several states and they charge taxonly in New York/New Jersey and New York respectively. Apple and Mac display that have been offered to their consumers, with a one year limited warranty together with 90 days of complimentary telephone technical support, have the option to extend the coverage to three years from the date of purchase of hardware product with the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Moreover the facility of direct access to Apple Expert telephone technical support is an added advantage for queries relating to Mac topics inclusive of video chats connected to Wi-Fi, using Mac OS X operating system besides iLife and iWork and much more.

Since Apple has designed the computer, the operating system together with several applications, has made Mac an awesome integrated system with the AppleCare Protection Plan providing a one stop service as well as support from their expert team on boards where all issues are resolved within a single call time frame.

Apple and IBM Partnership to Revolutionize Mobile Device

Apple and IBM have announced an exclusive partnership that teams to revolutionize mobile device use through a new class of business apps bringing in IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities to iPhone and iPad. As a part of this partnership deal, an extension of IBM’s MobileFirst has been dubbed `IBM MobileFirst for iOS’, IBM has manufactured over 100 native apps and services which have been tailored to the needs of various industries.

Apple will introduce a new AppleCare tier which will be designed especially for enterprise customers when the program goes live. The new IBM MobileFirst will be built in exclusive collaboration which draws the distinct strength of respective company, with the power of over 100,000 IBM industry as well as domain consultants together with software developers behind it, fused with Apple’s legendary consumer experience, hardware and software integration and developer platform, besides IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities.

These combinations will thus create apps that will transform specific aspects on how businesses as well as employees could work using iPhone and iPad enabling companies to reach new levels of efficiency and effectively with great customer satisfaction, all this done in an easier and faster manner.

IBM’s Data Analytics at iOS User’s fingertips

IBM’s MobileFirst Supply and Management program that supplies business consumers with device packages, management and activation services, are all built around Apple’s iPhone and iPad and IBM has also been offering hardware leasing options.

Supported by iPhone and iPad distribution from IBM, Apple is at an advantage in its mobile initiative making headway. According to Tim Cook, Apple CEO, the best mobile devices presently are the iPhone and iPad which have enhanced the system of working with over 98 percent of the Fortune 500 and 92 percent of the Global 500 using iOS devices in their business life.

He further stated that `for the first time they are putting IBM’s renowned big data analytics at iOS user’s fingertips which opens up a large market opportunity for Apple and this is a radical step for enterprise and something that only Apple and IBM can deliver’.

The aim of the partnership is to redefine the way the work can be done, spark true mobile led business change, address key industry mobility challenges, grounded in four core capabilities. Moreover, as part of the exclusive IBM MobileFirst for iOS agreement, iPhones as well as iPads will also be sold by IBM with industry specific solutions to business clients all across the world.

Mass Device/Management/Security/Analytics/Mobile Integration 

Besides the tailor made software, IBM would also be offering services such as mass device management, security, and analytics together with mobile integration. Its MobileFirst platform for iOS, delivers end to end enterprise solution which includes analytics, security, cloud storage and integration tools.

 Moreover, IBM will also make available private app catalogs, data and transaction security services as well as its first party productivity suite which has been specifically designed for the MobileFirst initiative where services will have tie-ins with IBM’s Bluemix development platform, made available on the IBM Cloud Marketplace.

 With regards to support, Apple will be rendering special class of AppleCare services for twenty four hours through telephone and email support while IBM will be handling on-site repairs.

Apple Invention – Behaviour Recognition

The U.S. Patent and Trademark office recently published an Apple invention indicating the method in which an iPhone could set off an alert or lock the device automatically depending on detected changes in the user behaviour.

As per its patent application for Generating notification based on user behaviour, an iPhone or even other mobile can employ behaviour recognition techniques wherein they can determine if the current user is the owner of the device or not. When the usage pattern does not match up with the owner, an alert, notification or system action gets triggered.

The system depends on pattern recognition and learning to identify unusual behaviour and any form of input or interaction with the device is compiled for behaviour data acquisition and system data such as location, input gesture patterns and motion sensor data. Besides this, other data like vocabulary, grammar as well as keyboard orientation preference could be stored for later analysis and recall.

Sensor Laden Device – Generating Information 

With Apple’s new invention, there is a continuous monitoring of user behaviour which is compared to historical data known to be associated with the owner of the device. For instance, an iPhone’s accelerometer generated data on the user’s gait comparing the information with the data that is stored on-board or on a remote server and analysis could take place offsite on a pattern learning server.

A sensor laden device is in constant contact with the user most of the time, generating a lot of information. All details from common misspelling of words, routine device interactions to frequently used phrases and all personal information are gathered by the device.

The behaviour learning server, due to privacy, can be programmed by the user to overlook certain types of behaviour such as location preferences, in which case, generalizations and relative positioning replace granular data thereby protecting the individuals for intrusive analysis.

To overcome computational stress, the pattern learning server can manage group behaviour, classifications and data in clusters rather than analysing and comparing individual action separately. The clusters of behaviour can be compared with one another and data should fall within predefined boundaries in order to proceed with normal operation.

Recognition Server Transmits Signal 

If the boundaries are crossed, it indicates unusual behaviour has been detected and the recognition server then transmits a signal to remotely lock the device till the user verifies through password or any other form of trusted identity like Touch ID credentials. The server can also send notification to third party device or any other mobile phone owned by a different party.

It is not known if Apple will be adopting behaviour learning features in future iOS versions but the latest iOS 8 beta builds does not currently support these functions Due to concern over the growing data privacy, users would be likely to manually opt in to the feature if the technology were to roll out one day and the breadth of measured behaviours would tend to narrow down.

Behaviour learning patent application of Apple was first filed last January and creditsas its inventors, go to Gregory T. Lydon and Sylvain Rene Yves.