Mac mini gets updated with Haswell processors, faster WiFi and Thunderbolt

The smallest Mac of all has received a list of upgrades. Fans of the Mac mini will welcome the fourth generation Intel Core processors, new integrated graphics that are up to 90 percent faster, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Thunderbolt 2 capabilities as well as Intel Iris Graphics in the same small form factor.

“People love Mac mini. It’s a great first Mac or addition to your home network, and the new Mac mini is a nice upgrade packed into an incredibly compact design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With the latest CPU and graphics, faster Wi-Fi, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, OS X Yosemite, and starting at just $549, the new Mac mini is the best value ever.”

Click to read more ...

iOS 8.1 coming on monday as a free update

Apple will be releasing the iOS 8.1 update to iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches on Monday October 20 to coincide with the launch of Apple Pay in the US. For other countries without Apple Pay capabilities, the update will enable a number of enhancements and features that will allow iOS 8 devices to use some of the Continuity and Handoff features coming to OS X Yosemite (available for free today) and iOS. iOS 8.1 will bring back the Camera Roll as well as a beta of  a beta of iCloud Photo Library.

iOS 8.1 is available through iTunes or as an over-the-air (OTA) update for all devices that can run iOS 8: the iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, and 6 Plus; all iPads aside from the first-generation model; the fifth-generation iPod Touch; and the third-generation Apple TV. SMS Handoff will also be enabled via the updated. The following iOS 8 Continuity features are not available in Canada:

• Spotlight for movies
• Volte
• WiFi Calling

Source: Apple

Apple Pay mobile payments to begin on October 20

Apple announced today that with some 500 new banking partners, it would launch the Apple Pay mobile payments system in the US on Monday October 20th. Apple says that , "Apple Pay offers an easy, secure and private way to pay using Touch ID on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in stores and within apps. Users of the just-announced iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 will be able to use Touch ID on their devices for Apple Pay within apps. The new service will be enabled by a free update to iOS 8 which is coming on Monday as well.

Click to read more ...

Apple launches 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display starting at $2,749

Apple today unveiled a 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display, featuring 14.7 million pixels, the new iMacs feature the latest quad-core processors, high-performance graphics, Fusion Drive and Thunderbolt 2 technologies. The iMac with 5K Retina Display is available today with a 3.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.9 GHz, AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics and a 1TB Fusion Drive for a suggested retail price of $2,749 (CAD)

Click to read more ...