mike1

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mike1
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  • Apple Card shifting to another big bank will probably kill this small company

    mike1mike1
    macgui said:
    AI said:
    When JPMorgan takes over, however, it will likely drop CoreCard as the Apple Card's processor in favor of its own in-house payment processing. Before it got the Apple account and its estimated 12 million users, CoreCard was considered a niche processor.
    CoreCard currently manages the day-to-day functioning of the Apple Card, ensuring that transactions are completed and handling the billing of users. It is also CoreCard that has been responsible for developing some of the distinctive features of the card alongside Apple, like its first-of-the-month billing cycle.
    CoreCard also developed the "payment wheel" graphic on its bills that show cardholders their projected interest costs, widely seen as consumer-friendly and educational. JPMorgan Chase will be responsible for the Apple Card once Goldman Sachs exits the consumer market.  

    The "payment" wheel is one of my favorite features of the Apple Card. It greatly simplifies keeping track of payments and facilitating adjustments should the need arise. There are other features unique to the Card that I like. They may survive for a bit after the transition but I don't expect them to last. I foresee Chase saying "keep your payment wheel - we're not buying it from you".

    My next concern is whether or not Chase keeps the Card a MasterCard or makes it a Visa card. I have no idea how costly it would be to swap them, or if it's at all feasible to Chase to do so. I'd prefer it to be a Visa card.

    Chase offers both Visa and MasterCard cards. I don't pretend to know what would make them want to or not want to switch to Visa.
    williamlondon

  • Lightning iPhones get real USB-C support with custom case

    mike1mike1
    Clever, but it's not a product. It's a 'look what I can do' prototype.
    Also, other than not needing to have a Lightning cable around, what's the point? It wouldn't add any functionality or improvement to an older iPhone. The phone won't charge or transfer data any faster.

    In the real world, did anyone upgrade an iPhone just to get the USB-C connector? Maybe some folks wanted the improvements that were added, but the connector itself? I doubt it.
    grandact73williamlondonAfarstarVictorMortimertiredskills

  • 20 years of Apple Ring rumors continue with leaker's lament

    mike1mike1
    I propose that Apple release an Invisibility cloak and a matter-energy-matter transporter. I bet they would sell a lot.
    williamlondonlibertyandfreeGrizzmickdewmewatto_cobra

  • Car makers reject CarPlay Ultra as an Apple overreach

    mike1mike1
    rhbellmor said:
    I'm the S5 coupe owner you helped with my ordered S5 showed up with multiple dents in my Audi.  We plan to replace my wife's A4 with the new SQ9 which I have been following for at least the last couple of years.  One of our requirements is our new car had to have the new Apple CarPlay Ultra, I've read this morning that Audi has backed out of their original commitment to the enhanced CarPlay.  If that decision is true Audi will not be included in our search after owning (5) Audis we're moving on  Not a big fan of Kia but Kia has now been added to our list.  I thought you should know our feelings.  Thank you Russell.  PS, I still love my red S5 coupe which might be my last race car!  Sent to an Audi VP I know.
    I can understand that it is a desired feature and might be a tipping point in a final decision, but going from an Audi to Kia for that reason alone, is like choosing your heart surgeon based only on his or her hair color.


    robin huber said:
    sflagel said:
    it is ludicrous for a car manufacturer to give Apple access to all its car systems, which will invariably lead to Apple becoming the gatekeeper to the entire tech stack of a car. This in addition to the branding impact. CarPlay is not the end of evolution, for example, the music app is well on CarPlay. Audi music controls are much better. 
    Who said all? We’re talking about user-facing information systems. Car manufacturers have farmed out components and subsystems from day one. Brakes, batteries, transmissions, gauges, radios, generators, on and on. More to the point, putting Bose, Harmon-Kardon and many other name brand audio systems is a selling point. Why should this be any different?
    Branded audio is nowhere near as involved or complicated as a complete handover of the car's entire user interface. Of course, the car companies use subcontractors for many subsystems, but they still retain control over the way they operate, look and feel in their own vehicles. For example, Harman (parent company of Harman Kardon audio) provides the basic electronics infrastructure for many car brands, but the car companies control the integration and UI aspects. 
    williamlondonrhbellmorjibToroidaljeffharriswatto_cobra

  • Apple's Home Hub smart home display leaks in iOS beta code

    mike1mike1
    williamlondon said:
    sflagel said:
    “But what do I know.”
    Hmmm, think that should have been the lead? Perhaps stay in your own lane and let others run things the way they want without your criticism based on “but what do I know?” insights.

    Amazon sells an awful lot of Amazon Echo Shows, so some people must find the concept useful.
    williamlondon