7 great wallet cases for your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6

It’s hard to go wrong with a wallet case for an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6. Along with providing extra space for credit cards and cash, they all offer a nice layer of protection for your handset. Here are seven great options you’ll definitely want to look at.

CM4 Q Card Case, $31.98

Designed to fit up to three credit cards and cash, CM4’s Q Card Case is a minimalistic choice. A cutout on the back allows users quick and easy access to all of the wallet’s contents. A raised bezel protects the screen from scratches when placed faced down.

You can purchase a black version for $31.98. Other colors cost a bit more.

OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet Case, $24.67

A great way to keep your credit cards and cash hidden and secure, the OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet Case features a special access drawer on the rear of the case. It can hold up to three credit cards and some cash. An audible click lets your know that the items are safe. OtterBox also includes a self-adhesive screen protector.

The black version of the case is $24.67. A white/gray and white/pink version are also available and cost a bit more.

Spigen Wallet Case S, $14.99

A folio-style case, Spigen’s inexpensive option has slots for a number of credit cards and a specific compartment for cash. The dual-sided magnetic strap helps keep the case closed and all of the contents protected. The cover also doubles as a kickstand to place the phone in a nice media viewing angle.

The black version is $14.99 while a mint or pink option costs $3 more.

Lorna Wallet Case from DODOCase, $64.95

Handmade in San Francisco with high-quality bookbinding materials, the Lorna is beautiful and unique. Named after one of the company’s craftswomen, and just like its other products, is very stylish. The exterior is covered with Pergamena leather that is soft and luxurious to the touch. After opening the wallet, you’ll see the wallet portion of the case on the left with the a special plastic tray for the iPhone on the right. Most of the interior is made with soft book cloth material that DODOCase says is easy to clean. You can hold around six credit cards and cash. To make its contents even more secure, you can also use the elastic band closure to help keep the entire wallet shut when in a pocket or bag.

You can select from three different color combinations. Each is $64.95. Because each case is handmade, it will ship in five to seven days after being ordered.

Incipio Watson, $20.99

An interesting modular choice, the Watson’s exterior – which holds cash and credit cards – can easily been removed when needed. Three slots are available for cash or credit cards. The built-in elastic band can be used to keep the wallet closed while on the go.

The black version of the case is $20.99.

Moshi Overture, $44.95

Made with a weatherproof and durable exterior fabric, the Overture is another great folio wallet choice. The interior features a soft microfiber lining to keep your screen free of scratches. You should be able to fit around three credit cards and cash inside. It can also place your handset into a nice angle for viewing media or surfing the Web. Moshi also includes a washable screen protector that stays inside the case and can be used to keep an iPhone free of smudges and other debris.

Three different color combinations are available for $44.95 each.

Speck CandyShell Card, $25.46

A wallet version of Speck’s popular CandyShell line, the case is made with a softer inner layer and a harder outer shell. You can fit up to three credit cards and cash into the slide loading slot on the rear of the case. As a nice touch, a protective layer separates the wallet’s contents from the back of your handset.

A black version of the case costs $25.46. It’s also available in three other color combinations that cost a bit more.

iPhone Wireless Charging: Upcoming iPhones could be huge game-changers

Wall Street doomsday preppers pounding the table on the notion that “peak Apple” has come and gone may soon find themselves in an interesting predicament. There is little question that Apple’s meteoric iPhone sales growth will slow to a halt and even decline in 2016. Apple has already acknowledged as much when it reported results from its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Record-Breaking Quarter. But if you think growth is over at Apple, you have another think coming. And if you think Apple’s core iPhone business is on the brink of decline, you haven’t been paying attention at all.

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show certainly had some highlights, but it was during CES 2015 that I saw the future. A future where everything around us is connected. Of course, all of those connected devices need power and not everything is stationary, so one of the most exciting companies I saw at CES 2015 was a small startup called Energous.

Current-generation wireless charging solutions like Qi are nice. A smartphone equipped with the required hardware can simply be placed on a charging pad, or on anything with a built-in wireless charger, and its battery will begin to recharge. It’s more convenient than fussing with cables but it’s not quite as exciting as the technology that will refuel all of our devices in the future.

No, that technology will look much more like the product Energous has created.

Dubbed WattUp, Energous has built a two-part system that allows practically any type of device to be recharged wirelessly from distances of up to 15 feet. Anything that has integrated a tiny Energous receiver chip will be able to utilize this exciting technology, and the chip is so small that it won’t add any thickness to devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches or laptop computers.

Think about what that means. With an Energous transmitter in your office, your phone will constantly be charging even while it’s in your pocket as you sit at your desk and work. With a transmitter in your living room, your phone will charge while it sits on the couch beside you.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. There is a good amount of evidence out there to suggest that Energous has landed a major partner with which it will bring its technology to market, and that its partner is Apple. I won’t bother rehashing it all — Disruptive Tech Research analyst Louis Basenese did all the heavy lifting there.

If Apple has secured an exclusive deal with Energous to bring WattUp to future iPhones though, Apple’s upcoming smartphone lines are going to change the game more than you can even imagine. We’re talking about the biggest technological advancement in smartphones since Apple released the original iPhone in 2007 and brought touch-based mobile computing to the masses.

The implications for the user experience are obvious, though they’re made no less exciting by that fact. The immediate impact will remove the need to be proactive in charging your iPhone — it will just happen. And in the long term as the technology improves and proliferates, people won’t ever even have to think about charging their devices again.

But the implications for Apple’s bottom line should be just as compelling for investors. Think about what sales will be like if (when?) Apple is the first company to bring this technology to the masses. If you buy this new iPhone, you’ll never have to plug it in again.

And think about what this technology will do for Apple’s business. Forget the inevitable iPhone sales records, Apple will launch an entirely new business as a result of this technology. After all, when you buy one of these new iPhones you’re also going to need one, two, even five Apple transmitters capable of wirelessly charging your phone from across the room. One for the bedroom, one for the living room, one for the office, and so on.

The iPhone also won’t be the only Apple product that will be equipped with WattUp wireless charging, you can be sure of that.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7 may not include Energous technology, but this isn’t some far off dream we’re talking about. In fact, a WattUp-equipped iPhone in the next year or two isn’t unthinkable at all; Energous has previously stated that WattUp technology could feasibly launch in commercial devices by late 2016 or early 2017.

iPhone 7: Will VR influence iPhone design?

The concept of virtual reality has been around for what feels like ages, but various limitations have prevented tech companies from delivering the kind of VR experience we’ve imagined over the years. But numerous technological advancements in recent years, including massive improvements when it comes to the computing power of all sorts of gadgets, have made VR interesting again. Every major tech giant is looking to expand VR and AR research and development, with various products having already hit stores, or getting ready for launch.

We have Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Apple, HTC, Samsung and many others working on VR products. Apple is the most secretive company of all, but the iPhone maker has a major interest in VR, as Tim Cook confirmed recently.

But will this new reemergence of VR alter iPhone design? One concept iPhone 7 suggests that may be the case.

 

Christopher Grayson explained in an extensive post on the possibilities of VR that the iPhone might be used not only to consume VR content with the help of a handy Samsung Gear-like accessory, but also to create content.

In particular, Grayson explained that users might want to create bite-sized VR content including photos and videos that they could share with family and friends. And they would require specialized hardware to create the 3D pictures and photos that would be shared or streamed using a special app. That’s where a dual-camera setup on the back might come in handy, the kind that’s already rumored for the iPhone 7.

But rather than have the cameras grouped together, as seen in most dual-camera setups, Grayson proposes that they’d be spaced out, as seen in the top image. The two cameras would be placed right in the middle of the iPhone, in the upper-third and lower-third sections of the back case.

Such a design might not be as efficient when it comes to making the most of the interior space for battery life, especially considering that Grayson’s iPhone 7 concept is incredibly thin. However, combined with camera software it already owns from the Linx acquisition, Apple could use such a camera setup to both improve photos and video recordings, and also to bring VR content creation to the masses.

With just an app, users could use the iPhone to broadcast certain events which their followers could then view on VR headsets.

Grayson goes even further, suggesting that Apple could buy View-Master, a product you may have used already for watching 3D content, to create the VR headsets iPhone users would need in the future – check out his entire take on the matter at this link.

Domino’s brings easy pizza ordering to the Apple Watch

While Chipotle truly innovated last year with its burrito button Apple Watch app, Domino’s is joining the party by finally making it possible to easily order pizza for delivery using the Apple Watch. The convenience factor is arguably in leagues with the Tesla summon watch app we recently saw, and it’s safe to say 2016 has officially arrived.

Domino’s already offered delivery tracking from the Apple Watch, and the latest version of the watch app actually lets you order pizza by using your personal pizza preferences. Just make sure you have a Pizza Profile and save an Easy Order ahead of time, then the next time you’re hungry and in a hurry, launch the Domino’s Apple Watch app and await your delivery.

Domino’s says it’s the first national pizza company in the country to bring this capability to the Apple Watch. Going to the door to retrieve your pizza may even add a little credit to the Apple Watch’s Activity rings. Also: ! Amazon Echo also recently learned how to order Domino’s Pizza.

Here’s what else has changed in the Domino’s Pizza iOS app:

What’s New in Version 3.3.0

WHAT’S NEW FOR iPHONE:

– Apple Watch Ordering The next time someone asks you what time it is, use your Apple Watch to place your Easy Order, then look them in the eye and say, “It’s pizza time.” – Domino’s Tracker® Notifications Enable notifications to get Tracker® updates sent directly to your phone! – Bug fixes

WHAT’S NEW FOR iPAD:

– Timed Orders You can now use the app to place a future timed order for carryout or delivery! Once you’ve built your order, you can change the timing on the right hand side of the cart. – Bug fixes

You can grab the latest Domino’s Pizza app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch on the App Store now.

How to unlock iPhone secret emoticons

Emoji has sort of taken over my iMessage conversations on the iPhone lately, and I’m willing to bet you use a lot of the cute little pictures too.

What if I told you there was a hidden treasure trove of text-based emoticons that you can access in addition to your favorite emoji?

Even better — it’s easy to enable these iPhone secret emoticons. Here’s how.

First, tap on the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap General. Swipe down and then tap on Keyboard, then tap on Keyboards. Once there, you’ll tap on Add New Keyboard… and swipe down to Japanese. Choose the “Romaji” option and then back out of Settings.

Now you’ll want to find an app to type into, like Notes. Tap into the writing field and then tap and hold the little Globe icon in the lower left. You’ll get a popup menu to choose your keyboard. Choose the Japanese keyboard and then tap on the little 123 button.

Next, tap on the little happy face button just to the right of the exclamation mark and you’ll see a row of unicode text emoticons to choose from just above the keyboard itself, in the same place as the auto-suggestions bar.

If you tap on the little caret to the far right of that row, you’ll see the entire set of unicode characters you can use. Swipe down to see them all.

Now you can add that little special touch in the form of your iPhone’s secret emoticon powers to any conversation or written communication you want.

 

 

 

 

Awesome iPhone 7 Concept Has All Its Rumored Features

Check out this sleek new iPhone 7 concept by Arthur Reis that features a thinner design, fewer antenna bands, Bluetooth AirPods by Beats, water resistance, inductive charging, Force Touch home button with haptic feedback, and more.

“This is how I think the next iPhone generation should look like”, says Reis. “Thinner display bezels, yet a body with fillets surrounding the device, allowing for a better grip. The body itself is now only 6mm thick and is also flatter than the iPhone 6/6s. No 3.5mm headphone jack, no camera bump, Force touch on the Home Button with Taptic Engine, water resistance.”

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 7 this fall. TSMC is rumored to be the exclusive manufacturer of its new A10 chip. Take a look at the photos and video below and let us know what you think in the comments.

MacBook USB-C recall instructions tell if you’re affected

Apple’s first USB-C MacBook release included a cord which had a bit of a hardware flaw – one that the company is now in the process of fixing. For those of you that’ve purchased a MacBook in the past several years, there’s one simple way of figuring out whether or not you MAY be affected. If your power cord is a MagSafe connector (magnetic, as the name implies), you do not need to worry. From there, if you’re a USB-C sort of user, there’s one more check.

For those of you with a MacBook that’s powered up by a USB-C (or USB Type-C if you prefer to call it that) cord, the image below will let you know if you’re in or out. The first image shows the cord that’ll need to be replaced. The second image is good. Good like you don’t even need to replace it.

Interestingly this recall does not necessarily require you to do anything to receive a new cord.

Apple is replacing early MacBook USB-C charging cables

While recalls of hardware in any market generally means you need to go to a manufacturer and trade in your old unit, Apple is making the process far easier. Apple suggests that MacBook owners who ordered and provided their mailing address will be receiving a replacement cord by the end of February of this year – 2016.

Apple also has a replacement program page at which users who did not provide their address earlier can do so now.

You can also bring your cord in to a local Apple Store after you’ve called in to replace your cord in-person. Make certain you’ve called beforehand and that they’re prepared for you to enter the store. Don’t go running into the store with your cord in your hand, freaking out, screaming about how you’ve noticed intermittent charging! That wont work as well as making an appointment.

Firewatch wallpaper for iPhone and desktop

Available now for Steam and Playstation 4, Firewatch is a new action adventure puzzler set in 1989. Manning an outpost, Henry descends into the wilderness, exploring an unknown environment. Receiving acclaim for its stunning visual imagery, Firewatch is the focus of our Wallpapers of the Week.

Firewatch wallpaper

Download: Desktop; iPhone

Download: Desktop; iPhone

Download: Desktop; iPhone

4-inch iPhone 5se & iPad Air 3 planned to go on sale March 18th

Apple is currently on target to start selling its next iPhone and iPad models the same week that the new products are introduced in March. Apple is currently planning to introduce a new 4-inch iPhone dubbed the “iPhone 5se” and a new iPad Air at an event on Tuesday, March 15th, then put the products up for sale online and in retail stores as early as Friday, March 18th, according to sources. Apple is unlikely to offer pre-orders for the new devices, according to sources who cautioned that the plans could still change.

Launching the new iPhone and iPad models so soon after introduction and not offering pre-orders would be a new strategy for Apple. Apple typically releases new iPhone models one or two weeks following the introduction events and an online pre-order period. A similar strategy has been followed for many new iPad releases, but the iPad Pro hardware actually went on sale over two months following the device’s initial introduction. Manufacturing of the new 4-inch iPhone began ramping up in January, sources say.

The new 4-inch iPhone 5se is designed to spur iPhone hardware upgrades for customer seeking newer technologies and faster devices without the need to upgrade to the far larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s and 6s Plus screen sizes. While the iPhone 5se’s body will be nearly identical to the 2013 iPhone 5s, the new smartphone is said to include Apple’s latest A9 and M9 processors, an NFC chip for Apple Pay, support for always-on Siri activation, the iPhone 6’s camera system, and the ability to take Live Photos. The device will come in the same colors as the 6s, according to sources: gold, rose gold, silver, and space gray.

The iPad Air 3 is said to include a Smart Connector and support for Apple-branded accessories, which could mean that updated Smart Keyboards and Apple Pencil support for the 9.7-inch device are in the pipeline. The new iPad is also expected to include a variant of the A9 processor, an upgraded camera system, and potentially a rear flash for brighter photos. At its March 15th event, Apple is also planning to unveil a series of new Apple Watch Sport Band colors, a Space Black Milanese Loop, and NATO-style nylon bands.

Notarize documents remotely with new iPhone app

Legal documents of all types need to be notarized which has always meant a visit to a licensed notary. The notary verifies your identity in person and then witnesses your signing of the document(s) in front of him or her. It’s not something one has to do often but it’s a pain when required.

The free Notarize app for the iPhone makes this classic process possible on the phone. Running the app verifies your identity by scanning an acceptable ID – e. g. a driver’s license – and connects you over a video call to a licensed notary. The notary witnesses you signing the document and electronically stamps it as officially notarized.

Once stamped the document can be emailed to the appropriate authority and saved to the cloud for later referral.

The service is available in all 50 states. The Notarize app is available on the iTunes app storefor free.