Apple has been busy so far this fall. Last month, the company unveiled and launched two new iPhones — the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus — which come fully loaded with iOS 8, the latest Apple mobile operating system, and a myriad of new features including Apple Pay, which allows users to use their devices to pay at some of the world's biggest retailers. While Apple Pay has not gone live as of yet, this week the company announced that it will finally allow iPhone owners to use the feature on Monday, October 20. This came at a second fall event in which Apple launched Yosemite, the latest Mac desktop operating system and unveiled two new iPads, which will be available in a few weeks. 

The iPad announcement could mean big things for retailers who are already in the process of preparing for Apple Pay. Those who have implemented a tablet POS system have to naturally be wary of the security of their device, which is something Apple has addressed with its most recent unveiling. Apple is launching the iPad Mini 3 and iPad Air 2, each representing the latest iteration in its respective class. Both will contain Touch ID functionality, which was first added to the iPhone 5S in 2013. 

The Touch ID button allows users to align their fingerprint with the tablet's home button. Once the device collects necessary data about that fingerprint, it will only work when that user presses their unique print on the button. The devices will have the option to bypass this security measure with a four-digit password, but this is a step in the right direction for those who want to ensure the security of their iPad. Merchants who use the device with a tablet POS system can benefit from these new devices as they will help protect sensitive customer data that lives on the machine.