Apple released the latest update of its iOS software for iPhones, featuring an update to Apple Cash, which now allows users to send and receive money in the Messages and Wallet apps.
The update, compatible with the iPhone 6s and later models, is aimed at boosting the Cupertino-based company's position in the financial services vertical as online transactions continue to grow.
It also comes ahead of the Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which is scheduled to take place online from June 6-10.
Here's an overview of what's new in iOS 15.5, and what the road ahead looks like in the lead-up to the WWDC and, most importantly, the next-generation iPhones:
What's new in iOS 15.5 update?
An Apple release note showed that iOS 15.5 includes enhancements to Apple Cash card and Apple Podcasts, besides the usual "other features and bug fixes".
Specifics include a fix for an issue in HomeKit — Apple's framework for smart home systems — where home automations, triggered by people arriving or leaving, may fail. It is also fixing another issue that may cause the third-generation iPhone SE to unexpectedly shut down.
What is Apple Cash and how does it work?
Apple Cash is a digital card in the Wallet app that allows users to send and receive money in Messages or Wallet. The money received appears on Wallet's Apple Cash card, and it can used for purchases in stores, online sites and in apps that work with Apple Pay.
You can initiate sending money by tapping a contact in Messages, starting a new conversation and tapping the Apple Pay logo in the app drawer. The Apple Cash card will be used by default when a user sends money, but this can be changed to any debit card. Money received will automatically be credited to the Apple Cash card.
However, Apple Cash — as well as its sending and receiving feature, plus Apple Card — works only in the US at the moment. The company has not made any formal announcement when it would expand the service elsewhere in the world.
The update comes after Apple in February introduced a Tap to Pay feature for iPhones, which will allow businesses to use mobile devices as a terminal for contactless payments when it launches later this year. The service is aimed at small businesses, chief executive Tim Cook had said at the time.
What's new in Apple Podcasts?
Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on an iPhone and automatically delete older ones.
This is particularly important for users of iPhones with lower storage limits, as it will help make way for other more important content, including necessary apps, important media and personal files.
What other updates were released?
Along with iOS 15.5, Apple also delivered new versions of its software across its product range, including iPadOS 15.5, macOS 12.4, watchOS 8.6 and tvOS 15.5.
A word of caution: once an Apple device is upgraded to the latest OS, it cannot be downgraded to a previous version, so it is highly recommended to back up your devices before performing an upgrade.
When will the next iOS update be?
Barring any major bugs, the next major iOS update would be iOS 16, the beta version of which would be launched during the expected iPhone 14 launch in September.
Apple, however, releases iOS updates to address even minor issues to ensure the integrity of its ecosystem. The previous update — iOS 15.4.1 — was delivered on March 31.
Rumours about an iPhone 14 have been making rounds since last year when the iPhone 13 was launched, including a complete redesign featuring a flat, camera bump-less rear and the long-awaited satellite technology.
Any surprises in the iOS 15.5 release?
Some rather "exciting" features have accidentally surfaced in the code of iOS 15.5, as spotted by Bloomberg's tech reporter Mark Gurman, who has a long history of accurate reporting on Apple's product plans.
The Apple expert wrote in his Power On newsletter that iOS 16 will come with a number of "fresh" apps and "new ways of interaction", in time for the iPhone 14 series launch.
Mr Gurman did not offer further details. He did, however, point out that some are long overdue, and that Google already has its Look to Talk feature that lets users directly speak to an Android device without having to trigger it using the "OK Google" command.
Apple being a bit late into certain aspects of the smartphone game isn't really a surprise, but it's expected that they would offer a better version of what's already out in the market.
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Apple iPhone through the years
RESULTS
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The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
Oppenheimer
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
ENGLAND SQUAD
For first two Test in India Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson , Dom Bess, Stuart Broad , Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. Reserves James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
The%20specs
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Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
More on Quran memorisation:
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
TOP 5 DRIVERS 2019
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 10 wins 387 points
2 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 4 wins, 314 points
3 Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 3 wins, 260 points
4 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2 wins, 249 points
5 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1 win, 230 points
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.