Apple Inc (AAPL.O) on Monday announced it would more deeply integrate its software into the core driving systems of cars. While the iPhone maker rolled out new features for payments and business collaboration and a pair of new laptops.
The company whose late 1990s turnaround meant branding itself for rebels and troublemakers, spent Monday talking up how to use iPads. To collaborate on a business presentation on how its software will eventually help display fuel economy on car dashboards.
And Apple announced Apply Pay Later, a service that lets users make interest-free installments. The business, which will work over the MasterCard Inc (MA.N) network wherever Apple Pay is accepted, puts Apple in direction competition with payment providers like Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM.O) and PayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL.O).
Apple said it was in talks with automakers such as Ford Motor Co (F.N), Nissan Motor Co (7201.T), Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and Honda Motor Corp (7267.T). The Vehicles with this software will not be announced until late next year.
Apple’s iPad also received a revamp to make it easier for users to juggle multiple applications. And displays and collaborates on business-centric documents such as presentations. The company also previewed an app called Freeform, which will act as a virtual whiteboard. This helps multiple users tap to share ideas during video meetings over Apple’s FaceTime service. The productivity features put Apple in more direct competition with Microsoft (MSFT.O). whose surface tablet computers are popular among business users.
Apple also added an edit button to iMessage for sending messages, beating Twitter (TWTR.N) to a long-requested feature. A tool called “Safety Check” to turn off access to sensitive information for people in abusive situations.
Apple introduced a new technology called Passkeys to replace passwords on websites. Apple said Passkeys are safer than traditional passwords because we do not store Passkeys on a web server. The company said it is working to enable the use of passkeys with non-Apple devices.
Apple shares closed up less than 1%, similar to their level at the start of the presentation.
-Reuters.