Devices based on Apple Inc.’s HomeKit will appear in stores next month, the company said.

HomeKit, which is built into Apple’s iOS 8 mobile operating system, provides software so makers of garage door openers, light switches and other home devices can be controlled with an iPhone or iPad.

“HomeKit has been available for just a few months and we already have dozens of partners who have committed to bringing HomeKit accessories to market and we’re looking forward to the first ones coming next month,” Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, said Thursday in a statement.

IDevices has said it will begin selling in the fourth quarter a HomeKit-compatible switch to control doors, lights and other products.

“We’re testing the software, and it works very well,” Chris Allen, chief executive officer of Avon, Connecticut-based iDevices, said Thursday.

Fortune reported earlier Thursday that HomeKit had been delayed by a few months, until August or September.

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Set Up Microsoft Exchange E-Mail on an Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Edit, work, create, and get more done from your iPad, for free

Four new, free apps are available on your iPad®. With both Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox access, online storage—and access to your files—is always just a click away on your iPad. The new Microsoft Office apps give you the ability to flat out get more done.

• With the new Microsoft Word app, you can edit, create, and save your docs, wherever work takes you
• The new Excel app lets you analyze your data on the fly
• Build and deliver your presentations—right from your tablet or phone—with the new PowerPoint app
• The new Microsoft OneNote app helps you work collaboratively and stay organized on the go

With these apps, you can now access, edit, and save directly to your Dropbox account. You can even open and edit files that have already been saved in Dropbox.

Adding Dropbox is easy.  When you are in any of the new apps, follow these simple steps:

1. Tap on the arrow in the top left, then tap Open
2. Tap “Add a Place”
3. Select Dropbox

To get the Office apps for iPad®, open www.appstore.com/microsoftoffice from your iPad’s web browser.

The new iOS 7 upgrade resets original settings and adds new settings that users should be aware of.

System Services

The System Services is difficult to find at the bottom of the Privacy > Location Services panel.

Status Bar Icon

Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services

The Status Bar Icon setting will appear in three ways:  Purple for Recently Used, Gray for Used within 24 Hours and Outlined for Geofence.  Turn ON this setting.

Diagnositcs & Usage

Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Diagnostics & Usage

The Diagnostics & Usage setting detects/records iPhone usage and anonymously sends a report to Apple to improve the device.  Turn OFF this setting.

Frequent Locations

Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Frequent Locations

The Frequent Locations setting detects/records data about your locations, using GPS coordinates of frequently visited locations.  Turn OFF this setting.

Location-Based iAds

Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Location-Based iAds

The Location-Based iAds collect and share location data based on real-time geographic location of your Apple device.  Turn OFF this setting.

Advertising

Settings > Privacy > Advertising

The Limit Ad Tracking setting prevents adverizers  from targeting your device. Turn Limit Ad Tracking ON.

The Advertising Identifier gives users control over advertisers’ capability to use tracking systems by resetting the Advertising ID.  Reset Advertising Identifier.

Do Not Track

Settings > Safari > Do Not Track

The Do Not Track setting allows users to have privacy while using Safari.  Turn ON this setting.

September 18, 2013 was the official release of iOS 7.  Complementary to iOS 7 are several support questions for corporate-owned iOS devices, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Corporate Owned Personally Enabled (COPE) devices.

COPE devices are corporately compliant prior to distribution to employees; this allows consistency and higher security for all enterprise devices.

There may be a few problems when upgrading to iOS 7 such as older iPhone/iPad devices may not support iOS 7 and not all features are available on all devices or in all countries. 

Here are some tips for supporting iOS 7 in the enterprise. 

Implement VPP

Apple now offers a Volume Purchase Program (VPP) for business.  VPP can retain volume licenses for Apps and Books.  Download Apple’s VPP Guide.

Third-Party iOS Apps

Configuring third-party apps can be completed in iOS 7,  Mobile Device Management (MDM) distributes the third-party configuration and the developer needs to enables it.

Test and Troubleshoot

The most important step before deploying in-house developed enterprise app(s) is to test and troubleshoot.  Testing and troubleshooting will save time and resources after deployment.

Per App VPN

Per app VPN ensures that only managed app data travels through VPN.  iOS 7 apps can automatically be connected to VPN when launched.  Also, for security purposes this tool will separate corporate data and personal data.

Takeaway:  Before rushing out to buy the new iPhone 5s, take a look at the Nokia Lumia Specifications compared to the iPhone 5s.

Nokia Lumia 1020 is equipt with dynamic live tiles, Office Mobile, a 4.5 Puremotion HD+ AMOLED display and is the winner of the Best Smartphone Camera Award by Gizmodo for the 41-megapixel camera.

Apple’s iPhone 5s will be released on Today, September 20, 2013. The iPhone 5s is available in three colors and will run the recently released, iOS 7.

Compare the iPhone 5s to Nokia Lumia 1020:

Apple has officially released iOS 7 Today, September 18, 2013.  The new OS includes many new features and Apps that are beneficial to enterprise users.  iPhone(s) and iPad(s) with these new features will be easier for IT departments to deploy and manage in enterprise environments.

Touch ID Fingerprint Reader

Touch ID Fingerprint Reader is a 500ppi fingerprint sensor embedded in the “Home” button.  The touch sensor has a 360 degree ability to read a fingerprint.  Your fingerprint can also approve purchases from iTunes Store, the App Store, and the iBooks Store.

Single Sign On (SSO)

Enterprise single sign on (SSO) logs users in without requiring them to enter credentials multiple times.  SSO with can be configured across apps to verifies user permissions for enterprise resources and can be used for the App Store.

Per App VPN

Per app VPN ensures that only managed app data travels through VPN.  iOS 7 apps can automatically be connected to VPN when launched.  Per app VPN will provide IT  administrators control over corporate network access.

Open-In Management

iOS 7 allows business to protect corporate data by controlling which apps (and accounts) are used to open documents and attachments. Managed “open in…” gives IT the ability to configure the list of apps available in the sharing panel.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

The MDM protocol in iOS 7 includes a number of new commands, queries, and configuration options that make third-party MDM solutions even more powerful.  Also, Stremlined MDM enrollment allows IT to skip basic setup steps and fully configure devices with corporate settings and policies

To read previous articles regarding iOS 7, new iOS features and additional iOS features.

Apple iOS 7 is expected to be released this Fall for both, iPhone and iPad users.  Apple created a simple and more useful experience with iOS 7 that includes many new features.

Control Center

Control Center allows access to common controls and apps from any screen with just one swipe.  Controls included are turning on/off Wi-Fi, turning on/off Bluetooth and adjusting the display brightness.  Apps included are Camera, Flashlight, Calculator and many more.

Notification Center

Notification Center allows you to view new messages, mail, to-dos and missed calls from any screen with just one swipe.  The Notification Center has a new feature called Today.  Today allows you to view everything for “Today” including weather, appointments and local traffic.  Also, this feature gives you a glance at Tomorrow. 

Multitasking

Multitasking is smart way to switch between apps quickly.  To access “Multitasking” press the “Home” button twice.  Multitasking with iOS 7 is more efficient because it learns how you use your apps.  If you check a specific app every day at the same time, your app will be waiting for you.

AirDrop

AirDrop allows you to easily share photos, videos, contacts with the app and a Share button.  AirDrop transfers are encrypted and use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to share data securely.

Siri

Siri has a redesigned user interface with a new sound and many new capabilities.  Siri has a more natural sounding voice (female/male) and is easier to understand.  Siri’s great new look fades on top of your screen.  Additionally, Siri can answer questions using Bing and Wikipedia, control iTunes radio, return phone calls, play voicemails and many more.

Mail

Mail has a redesigned user interface with many new features and controls.  New features  include the ability to view PDF comments and annotations, add/reorganize the mailbox list, and Mac and PC users with Microsoft Exchange 2010 can also now sync notes.

Apple, Inc. offers innovative products that continue to grow its customer base.  Testing new designs for current products is a consistent task for Apple, Inc.

“Apple has been slow to react to consumer desire for larger smartphone screens, [and] entry level price points on new phones,” said BGC Financial’s Colin Gillis. “Waiting and waiting, for the new products to launch, has become painful,” he wrote.

Currently, Apple is testing various sizes for iPhone and iPad screens.  Samsung has become the world’s largest smartphone maker because Samsung offers a variety of smartphones with display sizes that range up to 5.5-inches.   Continuing to compete with Samsung, Apple is testing for a 5-inch iPhone screen expected to be released in 2014.

A new tablet design is also being tested by Apple with a display that is a little less than 13-inches.  This would be a great addition to the iPad that has a 9.7-inch display and the iPad Mini that has a 7.8-inch display.

Lastly, Apple has been developing an iPhone that would be cheaper than the current iPhone.  According to many articles, the cheaper iPhone will be made from plastic instead of the traditional metal casing that will be available in different colors.

Apple, Inc. could climb back to the top of both smartphone and tablet sales by releasing a larger display for the iPhone/iPad and releasing an iPhone that is reasonably priced.