News

Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) mobile payment system, Apple Pay, is off to a tremendous start just months after launch. Numerous U.S. retailers and financial institutions have jumped onboard and Apple Pay has already gained more traction than rivals' e-wallets, including Google Wallet, which launched over three years ago. Apple is now looking for Apple Pay support across the pond.

According to The Telegraph, Apple is currently in talks with several major British banks over its "wave and pay" service. Although all the major banks realize it would be foolish not to participate, there are some points of contention in the negotiations. At least one unnamed institution is concerned with the amount of personal data Apple intends to collect.

Both AT&T and T-Mobile have negotiated a settlement with the FCC after charging customers for third-party message subscriptions. This practice is also known as "cramming," where carriers add unauthorized charges to a customer's bill for other companies. The charges are normally listed as something innocuous like a $1.99 "service fee" which causes them to go unnoticed on a customer's monthly bill. You may be entitled to a refund for bogus charges if you have ever received daily horoscopes, dieting tips, dating advise, etc. on your cell phone. Here's how to find out if you qualify for a refund from AT&T and T-Mobile:

AT&T agreed to pay $105 million to settle with the FCC. Some of this money will be refunded to customers who apply before May 1, 2015. You can visit this website and enter your email address or phone number to apply for a refund online.

Apple today updated its terms and conditions for App Store, iBooks, and iTunes purchases made in EU countries such as UK, France, Germany, etc.. The new TOS institutes a 14 day return policy on any apps, games, music or books purchased through Apple services on Mac and iOS devices.

If you choose to cancel your order, you may do so within 14 days from when you received your receipt without giving any reason, except iTunes Gifts which cannot be refunded once you have redeemed the code.

To meet the cancellation deadline, you must send your communication of cancellation before the 14-day period has expired.

Effects of cancellation: We will reimburse you no later than 14 days from the day on which we receive your cancellation notice. We will use the same means of payment as you used for the transaction, and you will not incur any fees for such reimbursement.

Exception to the right of cancellation: You cannot cancel your order for the supply of digital content if the delivery has started upon your request and acknowledgement that you thereby lose your cancellation right.

After closing at its lowest point in months in the previous week ($106.75 on 12/16), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) share prices rallied a bit last week to close at $113.99 on the day after Christmas. The cause of the recent drop off is anyone's guess, but there are plenty of reasons to support its rally, including the continuing high demand for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

The current demand for Apple's flagship phones is actually stronger than ever, despite it being on the market for over three months. According to a recent survey by investment firm Piper Jaffray, 40% of 1,004 consumers said they were interested in purchasing the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. This compares to 33% in a similar survey conducted just before the iPhone 6 launch and 37% in a post-launch survey.

Action-comedy film The Interview is now available on iTunes for rental or purchase. The title, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, made headlines this year for ruffling the feathers of the North Korean leadership. The movie, which depicts a farcical assassination plot against Kim Jong-un prompted an attack on Sony Pictures' computer systems.

The data breach leaked unreleased films, internal memos and company email to the world. Threats against movie theaters curtailed the box office release of The Interview, however both official digital releases and bootlegs are now widely available. When it comes to the movie itself, iTunes users have rated the film with 4 out of 5 stars. The Interview can be rented or purchased on iTunes for $5.99 or $14.99 respectively.