Apple releases iOS 8.1 update to allow Apple Pay and other features

Living up to its promise, Apple yesterday released the iOS 8.1 update with features such as Apple Pay (only for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus), iCloud Photo Library beta, Camera Roll, Continuity and more.

The iOS 8.1 update now made available for download, would work with the iPhone 4S and later models, the iPad 2 and later models, the fifth-generation iPod touch, and the third-generation Apple TV.

The Apple Pay mobile payment service (until the roll-out of the Apple Watch) is currently supported by the two new iPhone models only, thanks to the dedicated secure chip and NFC connectivity in the new smartphones which allows communication with retail terminals.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus come with a 'Secure Element' that allow storage of credit card data on the smartphones, as also a 'Device Account Number' unique to each iPhone.

Apple has also re-introduced the 'Camera Roll' gallery in iOS 8.1, initially introduced in iOS 7 but then dropped in iOS 8.

The feature allows users view the images they had recently snapped. It had been much missed by users who weren't comfortable with or were not aware of the new 'Recently added' section in the new Photos app.

Apple's mobile payment system, Apple Pay, was also launched yesterday. With the new system users can flash their iPhone in the checkout line to pay for food, clothing and other goods.

However it would not allow users to do away completely with their wallet or purse quite yet. Though a few dozen retail chains had pledged support for Apple Pay, so-called contactless payments were still new and smaller merchants, in particular, could hardly be expected to have the necessary equipment right away.

To fully use Apple Pay, users would need iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus with iOS 8.1, a free software update released yesterday. They would also get some online-only features with the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 set to come out later this week. Older devices would not work even with the 8.1 update.

Users would also need a credit card that worked with Apple Pay.

Apple Pay has the backing of most major credit card issuers such as American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo.

According to Apple, over 500 banks were participating, representing about 83 per cent of the card volume in the US.