Tag Archives: evergreen tech tips

Tap to Pay Features to iPhones

Apple Bringing New Tap to Pay Features to iPhones

1 Reply

Unlike other smartphone makers, Apple is known for providing regular and timely updates to all their devices like iPhones, iPads, Macs and others. Similarly, their updates regularly bring various bug fixes and feature updates for all supported devices. As a result, there are many people eagerly waiting for various Apple events and announcements. And, on 8th February, 2022 Apple announced one of the best iPhone feature update till date. It’s called “Tap to Pay”. Ans, in this article we’ll discuss everything that you should know about it.

What is Tap to Pay?

For the most part, “Tap to Pay” itself isn’t a new feature and android devices had it for a long time. Basically, it allows secure contactless payments between supported devices and various checkout terminals. Here, the service works using Near Field Communication technology (NFC) to connect with other NFC enabled devices like mobiles, wearable’s and payment terminals. In other words, the payment is completed through the use of Encrypted data which is transmitted through radio waves to another compatible device. However, both devices should be near to each other for “Tap to Pay” to work.

Tap to Pay Features in iPhones

On 8th February 2022, Apple announced that the feature will launch in the US later this year. Also, it announced that the feature will work on devices like the iPhone XS and all the later models. This is great news for millions of merchants across US as they can now accept payments through a simple tap on their iPhones. Here, the “Tap to Pay” feature is very convenient to use and says that the Customers data is well protected and all payments are encrypted as well. Additionally, the company also stated that it wouldn’t collect and store any data regarding the customer or the goods purchased.

Finally, this feature is available for all payment platforms and app developers to integrate into their own iOS apps. Apple plans to provide “Tap to Pay” on i-devices to all participating payment partners and their developers on an impending iOS software beta. Similarly, Stripe and Shopify Point of Sale apps the first ones to offer this feature to their customers while other apps will follow them later this year.

Stripe’s chief business officer, Billy Alvarado quotes, “Whether you’re a salesperson at an internet-first retailer or an individual entrepreneur, you can soon accept contactless payments on a device that’s already in your pocket: your iPhone.”

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, in a statement said, “As more and more consumers are tapping to pay with digital wallets and credit cards. Tap to Pay on iPhone will provide businesses with a secure, private, and easy way to accept contactless payments. Also to unlock new checkout experiences using the power, security, and convenience of iPhone.”

Android 13

Android 13 is here! New Features and Changes

1 Reply

Although Google has just released Android 12 and 12L, the company has already started works in its successor namely Android 13. Google released the first developer preview of Android 13 in February with several new features, tweaks and API updates to the platform. The said OS is expected to launch in Q3 2022 and we can expect around 2 Developer Preview and 4 Beta releases before the final release. Here, in this article we’ll discuss about all the new changes and features available in the latest operating system of Google.

Android 13 New Changes and Features

  1. Revamped System Photo Picker

The current Android system document picker app, also known as “Files” only provides barebones file picking experience. Fortunately, Google is extending “Files” with a new system photo picker providing users better experiences in the process. Similarly, the new photo picker also has the ability to share both locally and cloud stored photos and videos.

  1. QR scanner Shortcut

As we all know, QR codes were lifesavers during the Covid-19 pandemic for everyone. They are cheap and provide an easy way to guide users into a specific websites without the need for physical interaction with them. Now in Android 13, Google is providing a new Quick Setting tile to launch the QR code scanner from the notification panel.

  1. Clipboard auto clear

For the most part, Gboard in android did have the Clipboard auto clear feature and it cleared clipboard items which was older than one hour. However, any clipboard items left in the global clipboard is still accessible for all apps at a later time. Now, Android 13 brings a new clipboard auto clear feature that can clear clips in the global clipboard after a said amount of time period. Here, the default duration is similar to Gboard or 60 minutes.

  1. Per-App Language Preferences

With Android 13, Google is introducing a new “LocaleManager” API that can get or set users preferred languages. At the same time, Users can also navigate to Settings> System> Languages & Inputs> App Languages to set their preferred languages for each app. Similarly, the said feature can also be accessed through Settings> Apps> All Apps> {app}> Language.

  1. Easy Installation of Apps to Guest Profiles

In Android 13, Google has provided users the option to choose the apps that gets installed in their devices Guest profiles. However, there won’t be any kinds of data sharing between the owner and guest profiles meaning Guests will need to sign into those apps manually.

  1. Revamped Task bar and Redesigned Media Output Picker

The latest Android update can show up to 6 apps in the taskbar as opposed to 5 shown previously. Similarly, it can show suggested apps to the users as well. Also, the Media Output Picker UI also gets revamped in this iteration of the platform. Now, it has better and bigger volume slider for each connected devices.

  1. Disabled Haptic in Silent mode

Now on Android 13, changing sound mode to “Silent” will disable all haptics by default. Similarly, the haptic feedbacks for interactions like gestures are also disabled now. This is a significant change in sound profiles as opposed to previous android versions.