iOS_Guy80

StrangeDays said:

GeorgeBMac said:

Here's something I would like to see from Apple:   A prepaid debit card that can be used for ApplePay.   I would very much like to open up ApplePay for my 12 year old grandson but hesitate to give him an open ended credit card.   A prepaid debit card could fill that bill well -- where I could fund it in various ways:  Transfer my cashback rewards to it, as a monthly allowance, or even as rewards for good grades, etc....

You can Apple Pay Cash him a balance to use from his AP virtual card.

I tried doing that when the Apple Pay Cash first came out and was told by Apple Care and the issuing bank (Green Dot) that when you sign up it asks for a SS number and you had to be at least 18. Maybe that policy has changed?

MisterKit said:

The technology in HomePod is indeed not appreciated by many. It’s in a class of its own at any price.

Making and accepting phone calls on the HomePod is a special experience. The audio is so clear, vibrant and rich, you would thinkn the person you are talking with is in the same room next to you. A superb speaker. The audio quality as a speaker is worth $349. Add the iOt capabilities, Siri, HomeKit integration and that is where the value of the device comes into play. 

22july2013 said:

It's a perfectly valid story for this website. However I think there are 5 brands of Homekit-enabled light bulbs (some not yet on the market) that don't require hubs, how do the other brands handle this problem? 

One more piece of useful information that my nephew who is into IT work and uses the Hue system, provided me and I quote: “I think the name of the technology that hue uses to create it’s own mesh network is Zigbee. This is why bulbs can go unreachable even if there is a WiFi signal available in an area. I’ve used bulbs and accessories to extend the network to areas that were unreachable like the driveway and basement. I haven’t done it but I’ve read that you can use non-Hue devices that also use Zigbee to extend the mesh network for the Hue devices. Zigbee isn’t a Philips technology. I think it’s Samsung technology.“

22july2013 said:

It's a perfectly valid story for this website. However I think there are 5 brands of Homekit-enabled light bulbs (some not yet on the market) that don't require hubs, how do the other brands handle this problem? 

Funny you should ask. Have been using the Phillips Hue system for 3 years. To verify one aspect of the system I just got of the phone with their excellent customer support. Phillips uses a Hub based system to prevent privacy issues from happening. The Hub connects via Ethernet connection to your router. Your device connects via WiFi to the Hub and it Is the your devices that provides the security. The Hub uses a self generated wifi signal (like Air Drop) system to connect to the closest bulb then the mesh system takes over to connect to remaining bulbs. You can also log into a no charge account to remotely control and check the lights. I’am not a engineer or teckie  person so this is a laymen’s explanation of how the system works. What I’am is a very satisfied user of a terrific IoT lighting system. Yes it is a pricey system The bulbs can be found $3-$7 less than the list price with promotions. The Hub package with a few bundled bulbs is a good value entry point into the Hue ecosystem. The system works, worth the investment, add to the system as needed, a terrific app UI with periodic software updates and firmware updates to Hub and to individual bulbs. HomeKitb compatible. “Hey Siri” turn on my reading lights. ‘Hey Siri’ turn on my television lights. The system also works with 3rd party apps. I have my lights 🚦set to flash the Patriots 🏈 colors everytime they score this Sunday. 

GeorgeBMac said:

All very heavily weighted towards art and music.

There are only "part 1" basics for the various products like the Mac -- and none for things like Apple's Pages or Numbers.

I wish Apple would offer more for the average person as well as the student and business persons.

Absolutely. Over the past few years classes on how to use your device, various productivity apps, setting up notifications, privacy settings and the like are fewer and fewer. The more features and capabilities that Apppe keeps designing into the devices makes it more challenging to educate their customer base. Suppose the Apple Store Sessions can just do so much.