Today, I had issues with my new Macbook Pro. I really know my way around Apple but am by no means an expert.
It all started a few days back. I decided to watch the live streaming video of the iphone 6 and apple pay. In short, I use Firefox and was having streaming issues so launched Safari. Whilst clicking on the browser I found I was getting advertising pop ups and realised my comp had managed to catch a bit of an internet cold.
Earlier today I started the process of locating the offending files etc and undertaking a general clean up, health check. After an hour I was struggling and then i remembered i have 90 day online apple support and arranged a call back.
Immediately the call came through on my mobile and I was speaking with a Senior Technical Advisor and he knew his stuff and was impressive. So we set up remote access and he did his magic.
We started chatting about the streaming event and quickly got round to ApplePay. We both agreed that ApplePay is a payment method and NOTHING to do with actual currency. Apple are not interested in the currency. It can be your dollars, pounds, rubles etc. What they do care about is creating a recognised worldwide method of payment and receiving a
"Transaction fee" from the banks.
This model is the same as iTunes. Apple don't create music, they just facilitate the sale/purchase of music and get a nice
"Transaction Fee"The conversation moved to Bitcoin. I asked him what Apple's views were on the subject and his reply was: Apple is considering bitcoin but waiting until it matures and there is a need. As this need arises then Apple will implement it.
He also confirmed that the consensus by his colleagues is Cryptocurrency is the future.
Finally we touched upon adoption and both agree the following. Bitcoin will develop fastest in those areas where the need is greatest and the financial infrastructure is at it's least.
Your British or USA neighbourhas little need, or desire, for bitcoin at present because he is happy with his 'safe' FIAT method. He has dollars or Pounds in his pocket. He is blissfully ignorant of the benefits and far more worried about risks and the unknown.
The Pakistani farmer, the Mexican immigrant has no bank account BUT.. once you give him a simple phone suddenly he is in control of his financial destiny and this is made possible for 2 primary reasons.
1. Digital Technology bypasses the need for physical financial infrastructure (No need for a corner Bank)
2. Financial transaction cost ceases to be prohibitive for micro transactions or, Western Union don't eat up $6 out of the $10 the mexican immigrant wishes tosend home to support his family.
Finally, the Apple chap sent me some links that he, and his colleagues follow:
http://www.techinasia.comhttp://techcrunch.comI have deliberately left out his name for obvious reasons. I hope this story illustrates that Apple is a Tech company with lots of tech savvy employees and when the time is right they will be supporting cryptocurrency as they aslo see it as the future!
If you like this then you will find it on Twitter at UK Harvey Please RT.