Review: Stylish Danny P. Leather Wallet Holds iPhone 6/6s Plus, Cards and Cash

Accessory maker Danny P. seeks to give iPhone 6 Plus and 6s Plus users some dual usability with its new Leather Wallet with iPhone 6 Plus Case, which includes seven credit/debit card slots, a rear folder for cash, and a sleeve for the larger-sized iPhone. The case, which is available through Apple’s own online store, is sized at 6.81 inches tall with a width of about 4.13 inches and is aimed to remain slim and unobtrusive even when stocked with an iPhone and various credit cards.

After a week of use, I’ve found that Danny P.’s Leather Wallet Case adheres to the company’s bullet point list of promises describing the case on its website, most notably in the satisfying quality of materials used to craft the iPhone accessory. Anyone with the pocket or bag real estate to house its vertically spacious design will easily find a lot to love in the case, especially those seeking an all-in-one housing solution for both monetary and iPhone protection needs.

Design

The left portion of the bifold holding the seven credit card slots on the inside of the Leather Wallet Case has an opening on the upper and right sides to hold a few dollars in cash, or any other slim pieces of paper or notes. The slot that actually holds the iPhone is a full sleeve, preventing access to the smartphone’s screen and inputs with the sole exception of the home button and Touch ID (if you slide it in upside down).

Like most sleeve cases, the inside of Danny P.’s product has a soft suede finish to make it easier to slide the iPhone in and out of the pocket, and prevent it from getting any scratches while housed there. The company’s logo is also admirably discreet on both the face of the wallet and at the bottom of the iPhone sleeve, although this is somewhat depending on the finish of the Italian leather used on each version of the case. Danny P. sent me the all-black option, and it’s perfect for anyone looking for an inconspicuous accessory.

When fully packed with seven credit, debit, and rewards cards, some cash, and the iPhone, the case’s thickness measured just under an inch for me on a day-to-day basis, which I found to be impressively non-bulky given the amount of content I placed inside. Danny P. also encourages the iPhone to be placed upside down as previously mentioned to access both the headphone jack and Touch ID for quick Apple Pay payments.

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Apple reportedly has a huge, secret VR team

Earlier this week during Apple’s earnings call, CEO Tim Cook responded to a question about virtual reality by saying this: “In terms of VR, I don’t think it’s a niche. It’s really cool and has some interesting applications.” Well, it turns out that he could know more than he let on. Today, the Financial Times reports that Apple has already assembled a “secret” team that’s solely dedicated to working on augmented and virtual reality. And yes, this means that Apple is supposedly also looking into making actual VR hardware.

The team apparently comprises talent that was poached from the likes of Microsoft’s Hololens team as well as the folks who worked on Lytro’s light field camera. Additionally, the Cupertino firm also recently acquired an augmented-reality startup called Flyby, which worked with Google in developing the 3D positioning tech for Project Tango. We should also note that Apple recently hired Doug Bowman, who’s one of the world’s leading researchers in virtual and augmented reality tech. Plus let’s not forget that Apple did buy PrimeSense, the originators of the 3D motion-sensing tech behind Microsoft’s Kinect, and that could factor into this whole secret project as well.

It’s not clear on how far along Apple is in its AR and VR efforts. But seeing as its Silicon Valley rivals are already making headway with projects like the Oculus Rift and Google Cardboard, it’s not surprising to see Apple at least experiment in the space.

Via: The Verge

Source: Financial Times

Apple May Develop Original TV Shows Exclusively for iTunes and Streaming TV Service

Apple has met with TV producers and Hollywood studios about developing original TV shows to offer exclusively to its iTunes customers, according to TheStreet. The article comes by way of independent contributor Ronald Grover, a longtime entertainment business journalist who has previously covered the media and entertainment industry for Reuters and Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

The original content could spearhead Apple’s plans to launch its oft-rumored streaming TV service, which has reportedly been placed on hold due to the iPhone maker’s difficulties in securing content deals with owners like CBS, ABC, Fox, Disney, and Viacom. The report, citing sources with knowledge of the matter, claims Apple could announce a cable-like offering alongside the iPhone 7 in September.

The Cupertino-based tech giant began sounding out Hollywood’s creative community late last year, but has yet to sign any agreements, according to two people with knowledge of the overtures. One plan is to have deals in place so Apple can announce exclusive content as part of a cable-like offering in September, when it is expected to unveil its iPhone 7, said one of the people.

The original TV shows would presumably be available for rent or purchase on iTunes, or through a subscription-based service like Netflix that would provide on-demand access to unlimited programming for a set monthly cost. Apple’s streaming TV service has been rumored to cost between $30 and $40 per month, but that price was contingent upon a “skinny bundle” of TV channels rather than original programming.

Apple’s discussions with Hollywood executives are being led by iTunes chief Eddy Cue, and Robert Kondrk, vice-president of iTunes content, according to the report. In a recent interview, Cue said customers should be “able to buy whatever they want, however they want,” and he used the App Store as an example of how Apple provides users with multiple ways to purchase content.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple has shown interest in acquiring Time Warner assets, which include CNN, HBO, TBS, TNT, NBA TV, Cartoon Network, its Warner Bros. movies division, and more. Gaining exclusive rights to the popular HBO series Game of Thrones would certainly give Apple a head start on its streaming TV service, along with Silicon Valley and other original programming.

Netflix, which collaborates with Hollywood on exclusive TV shows like Daredevil, House of Cards, Jessica Jones, and Orange is the New Black, has proven that original programming can be highly popular among consumers. Apple adopting a similar strategy could help bolster its own streaming TV service, which may be accessible on the web and devices like the Apple TV, Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

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London Mayor Boris Johnson Asked Apple to Help Build Garden Bridge

London Mayor Boris Johnson tried to convince Apple to fund the UK capital’s project to build a “Garden Bridge” across the River Thames, as reported by Business Insider.

The report cites an article published today in The Architects’ Journal which details how Johnson secretly travelled to California in early 2013 to meet Apple executives and pitch the ambitious project, before he had received official backing for the scheme from his office.

Proposed design for Garden Bridge over the River Thames (Image: Arup)

Apple is well known for its intense interest in architectural design and its close attention to detail when planning and building its retail stores. However, it has little history of funding projects unrelated to its technology business, making Johnson’s attempts to woo the company seem ill-judged.

In a statement given to The Architect’s Journal, the London Mayor’s office confirmed a meeting indeed took place with Apple to discuss “investment opportunities in London.” However, Apple informed the publication that the company has “no involvement in this bridge project and is not considering getting involved.”

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Apple ends its free iTunes Radio service

As anticipated, Apple discontinued the free, ad-supported version of iTunes Radio today. If you used the service to create your own radio stations and want to continue to do so, you’ll need to join the paid, premium Apple Music service. Desktop and iOS users who try to access the service will instead be a redirected to an Apple Music signup screen. Similarly, if you’ve been filling in missing iTunes tracks with your own collection using Match, you’ll be unable to do so without joining Apple Music.

If you still need free music, the only way to get if now from Apple now is via Beats 1. By keeping that separate from Apple Music, which has no ad-supported option, Apple has been able to offer exclusive content from artists like Taylor Swift and Pharrell. As a reminder, the service costs $10 a month, though there’s a free, three-month trial available — just don’t forget to cancel it if you don’t want to be billed automatically after the trial expires.

Via: MacRumors

Source: Apple

Apple Ceases Free iTunes Radio Streaming Worldwide

Apple today officially ended free streaming of its iTunes Radio channels worldwide, incorporating the catalogue of stations into its subscription-based Apple Music service.

The change follows Apple’s announcement earlier this month that its free radio-listening feature would be discontinued at the end of January but would remain available to Apple Music subscribers.

As of this morning, iOS Music app users who tap on a radio station are bounced to a screen prompting them to join Apple’s premium streaming music service.

Likewise, iTunes users on a Mac who attempt to access the stations or create their own are met with a dialog window asking them to “Get on Our Wavelength” and join Apple Music.

Users with an iTunes Match subscription are also no longer able to access the stations. However, Apple’s Beats 1 radio channel remains available to iTunes users worldwide as a free listening option.

Apple had quietly continued to offer ad-supported iTunes Radio stations in the United States and Australia even after the launch of Apple Music on June 30, 2015. However, after the company’s decision to wind down its mobile iAd platform, the feature was already being limited in other regions to those who pay for Apple’s streaming music service.

iTunes Radio was originally released with iTunes 11.1 and iOS 7 as a free ad-supported service, offering music discovery through featured and genre stations provided by Apple or through the creation of new stations based on a specific artist or song.

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Get ready to use your smartphone to withdraw cash at ATMs

Soon, you won’t need your card to withdraw cash from JPMorgan Chase ATMs. Upgraded machines arriving later this year will be accessible with your phone, using codes generated from its smartphone app. That’s only the first stage: second-generation upgrades will offer up NFC access to bank accounts, like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Yep, you’ll still be able to use your cards, but importantly, the new machines will also have higher withdrawal limits during banking hours — up to $3,000. Future upgrades include the ability to cash checks and pay bill through the machines, but expect to see those features some time in 2018. Chase isn’t the only bank looking to involve your smartphone with your money.

At the same time, TechCrunch reports that Bank of America and Wells Fargo are working on their own mobile connected solutions, with Apple Pay mentioned in discussions with both banks. Accordiing to Bank of America, it’ll “enable customers to leverage NFC ( technology on their smartphone in order to authenticate and complete transactions at a Bank of America ATM.”

“We will roll out this capability in late February with associates at select ATMs in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Charlotte, New York and Boston followed by a broader roll out to customers mid year.”

Source: AP (Mashable), TechCrunch