emoeller

chemengin1 said:

rob bonner said:

Not trying to be negative on this, really asking.  Why would anyone want this card?  The rate is pretty high, the integrations are interesting but don't really add that much value IMO, and I can use Apple Pay with my existing card.  What is the draw?

There is none (being serious). 

This is only the third credit card I have ever had (the other two are AMEX and Visa).  Here are the reasons I chose to sign up:

1)  Extremely secure.  There is no fixed card number, and if the physical card is used and a card skimmer or waiter steals your card number and pin, a number can be created instantly.  So there is no interruption in use of the card.

2)  No Tracking.   You are not identified by the retailer by name or by card number.  They only receive meta-data, they cannot track you (unless you want them to by signing up for some "deal" in which you have control over what information you give them)

3)  Having instant info on spending is very handy, and provides for instant recognition if charges are incorrect, thus allowing for immediate corrections.

4)  Reasonable interest rate (mine was a high limit with a 12.99% interest rate).   Not a big deal of me as I pay off my balance every month.

5)  Complete control over payments.  I simply set mine up to auto pay from my bank at the end of each month.   I don't incur any interest charges and I'm sent notifications well in advance so I can balance my bank statements.

6)  Very detailed (and very Apple designed) infographics on spending by category and retailer.   Also the info on the retailer is in plain english with business name, address, map, and contact info.  Very handy for looking back at what I purchased and from whom.

7)  There are no fees, and no late fees, or currency fees.

8)  Ties to my Apple Cash account, and of course there is the instant cash back features

9)  So far so good, I've made a couple of transactions and set up auto pay.  I will evaluate how this works for me (about 65% of all retailers in the US now accept Apple Pay/Card) to see if this is something I want to use long term.  But I know from experience that Apple Pay works extremely well and fast at checkout, especially using my Watch, so all of my Apple Pay will be done using this card going forward.

10)  Longer term I can see using this card (or something like it) to manage all of my payments (retail purchases, mortgage, other credit card balances (not available now), utilizes etc, etc) from a single source while I am mobile.

Wow that brings back memories, as I was there for that keynote.  Here are some of my observations from the event:

1)  The iPhone didn't actually work and you couldn't play with it.  It was displayed behind a clear glass cylinder on a rotating pedestal under glaringly bright halogen lights.

2)  Macworld's (I routinely attended the ones in Boston and San Francisco) were unique in that it was the rare opportunity to meet and discuss Apple products with key managers and engineers (both hardware and software).  In the early years you could even meet Steve personally on the floor.  At this event, post keynote the crowd was intense and Steve was accosted by a local pro-sex advocate that resulted in a bit of a tussle involving security.  Steve increased security greatly following this incident.
     While Macworld provided the rare opportunity to interact with Apple, this was a two way situation that resulted in some leakage of info.   This along with Apple's wise decision to manage its own rollout schedule were the reasons Apple left Macworld, and a few years later it ceased to exist.

3)  I had the opportunity to discuss two new companies that I thought Apple should look into with some of the engineers:   Tableau (a data visualization program), and Dropbox (just starting up)   Both went on to become unicorns.  I increased my holdings in APPL and later when both these companies went public also purchased their stocks.

4)  I ordered the iPhone and months later  I received one of the first ones and found myself in Russia on a business trip.   It was the first commercial one in Russia and I drew a crowd at the St. Petersburg Apple (I don't believe Apple owned this store, but it was the only sanctioned one at the time) store when I dropped by.   No carriers in Russia supported the iPhone but it worked well over wi-fi.  Later in the trip in Murmansk I found a good wi-fi signal at a modern mall.   After a few minutes with my nose glued to my iPhone while checking mail I noticed a ruckus in the food court I was in and found the local teenagers, who even then were expert hackers, had located my iPhone while hacking the wi-fi network and they were all searching around to see who had the iPhone.  I pulled up my hoody and made for the exit.

This update is ONLY for Apple Watch Series 3 - so no other watches are updated at this time.  The update fixes a reboot issue that only occurred with some Series 3 watches.

Thanks or the article but this is a simulation of a Dynamic Desktop (as you noted).   The HEIC file format has been around for a while ( High_Efficiency_Image_File_Format ) but only formally adopted by Apple in Mojave (and iOS 12).   This format will become increasingly important for AR as Adobe and Apple have agreed to standardize on this format.  it provides multiple images along with both time and location info for each.

As a developer you can create "real" Dynamic Desktops, see this excellent blog ( wallpaper ).

The author has created this Japanese satellite Dynamic Desktop (  https://www.dropbox.com/s/kd2g59qswchsd0v/Earth%20View.heic?dl=0 ).  Simply download the file and add to your Desktop & Screensaver file folder as described above.  It looks fantastic on a 5k iMac.

I found it interesting that apparently Apple's Dynamic Desktop is limited to 16 images (as noted above 24 would be typical for a single day as it would be one per hour, but ate is apparently not possible today).

Targeted ads are the online version of rob-calls IMHO.    Eliminating them would be my preference.

I don't see this as a problem.   Apple's Developer program allows for developers to side load apps, and to allow others to side load via its TestFlight app through the Developers Apple account, generally for testing purposes.   The concern raised in this article  is that the developer is then using that process to allow others to side load through his Developer account.  In other words he is a contract App Developer.  Corporations do this frequently when creating and distributing internal apps for Apple devices all the time.  This Developer is not selling apps created and installed outside of the Apple Developer framework.  

Furthermore this Developer, rightly, is concerned about potential privacy and security issues for some of the apps he and his clients have created and wants to internally develop additional protocols (above and beyond Apple's usual Developer review) on his side before side loading.  

The article isn't clear on this, but I am assuming that none of the apps are publicly "sold" outside of the Apple App store - rather they are utilized only by the Developer and his clients. 

Finally, I agree with the developer and others that a wide and general opening to the public of side loading is inappropriate.

fred1 said:

I've had mine charging and near my iPhone connected to WiFi for two hours and still no update to the firmware.  Any suggestions?f 

How to Force an AirPods Firmware Update

If you find that a new version of the AirPods firmware is available, but not yet installed, you can try forcing your AirPods to update.

To do so, put your AirPods into their Charging Case, start charging the case, and place it near your iPhone. Next, open the cover and then dismiss the on-screen battery display.

Well kiddies its happened -  Apple now controls us all

https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/

This is at the heart of the failures yesterday.

In other news I was researching the new Eero Pro 6 wifi system (offered by Apple) I came across this:

"STEP 2: Create an eero account

To begin setting up your new eero network, you will need an eero account first. You will need to enter your phone number and email address. "

Now why would I need to have an account to set up my own wifi system?   So I phoned Eero and was told that an authentication code is needed to activate the hardware, but I was assured that the ONLY data collected (other than my name, email and phone) was bulk anonymous usage data (how many Gb went through).  BUT when I asked to see the Privacy policy (Eero is owned by Amazon now) the rep and I found this:

  

Types of data we  (Eero) collect

“Personal Data” means data that allows someone to identify or contact you, including, for example, your name, telephone number, e-mail address, as well as any other non-public information about you that is associated with or linked to any of the foregoing data, and may also include Device Data. “Device Data” means product and performance data that are automatically collected when you use eero Devices and Application(s) to the extent that such data is associated with or linked to data that allows someone to identify or contact you, for example:

• performance statistics, including network speeds, network internet service provider (ISP), and other eero Device data (e.g., temperature, CPU, memory),

• network bandwidth usage statistics (i.e. the volume of data transferred and the protocol of packets),

• MAC addresses for eero Devices and connected devices, IP addresses and network SSID and password,

• family profile names, device hostnames, firmware data, Application clickstream, Application crash data, WiFi channel usage information, types of connected devices, the association of devices with a specific family profile, and WiFi signals from other WiFi systems in the area.

  
  

  OOPS - they can, and apparently do, hoover up everything, and because the Eero sits between your modem and your computer, none of Apple's privacy measures can stop this.  Further down the Privacy document it details what all Amazon can (and will) do with all that data.  See:

  https://eero.com/legal/privacy

  The only thing the rep and I decided could be done would be to use a VPN (or possibly another router that the user controlled that would sit between the modem and the Eero).   Both have overhead and management concerns.
  

  
  

  The future of privacy on Apple products is looking very bleak...

  
  

  
  

sixcolors said:

iPhones have become too expensive, I simply quit upgrading.

Apple's other products don't offer any compelling upgrades to the older models I already have. I despise the new MacBook Pro and have zero interest in the trashcan 2013 Mac Pro.

Couldn't disagree more.   I held off upgrading my iMac and MBP 15" for several years longer than normal because Apple/Intel's solutions didn't fit my needs.  That changed in late 2017/2018 as all of my issues have been resolved (keyboard fixes, 32Gb available on the MBP, standardized Thunderbolt 3, significantly improved MacOS and iOS, Bluetooth 5, and yes I really like the Touch Bar and am already modifying it for my workflow using BetterTouchTool).  The speed and efficiency of my workflow is about double what my previous hardware allowed.

As for the iPhone, I again hadn't upgraded in a few years and moved from an iPhone 7 to Xs - the difference is dramatic, especially with the display and camera.  I travel internationally and the dual SIM option is great (although new in the US it has been working in Asia since launch).  

I moved to an iPad Pro 10" in 2017 but jumped to upgrade  in 2018 to the IPP 12" and couldn't be happier.    The USB-C is compatible with hubs like CalDigit's TB-3 Plus (allowing both charging iTunes connection, as well as access to the accessory ports).  I don't use the iPad like a normal computer (its a new tool, and those that want to see the iOS devices become laptop replacements or computer replacements (or vice versa) are missing the point).  Current iOS provides some unique opportunities to improve workflow across devices:  such as using tags/filters and Files app to sort and maintain data - sort of like an improved Evernote, and utilizing the Notes and pencil for on the go markup and signatures.  In short iOS devices allow me to get things done more quickly on the go, but don't provide the heavy duty lifting that a computer or laptop provides.  However the synergy between the two (which for years was lacking due to poor file sharing capabilities) has improved to the point where these devices can work together to accomplish complex tasks in almost any environment,  

In summary Apple's devices are expensive - but the Apple ecosystem as a whole is extremely efficient and provides the tools I need to do my work (and play) anywhere, anytime.   And that to me is worth the extra cost for the hardware.

Apple already invented Prime Membership - we as Apple hardware purchasers are all members.   Apple rewards its members with "free services" (basic iCloud, iWork apps, iTunes ecosystem, etc) many of which may be upgraded to expanded (at increased prices) services (increased iCloud capacity, Apple Music streaming service, etc).