Untitled Folder Wallet: 1 year review
I bought the Untitled folder back in June 2023, and I have used it as my daily driver wallet for over a year now. How has it held up overall?
I bought the Untitled Folder Wallet back in June 2023, and I have used it as my daily driver wallet for over a year now. How has it held up overall?
My goal was to treat it like any other wallet, and I would say it has held up pretty good.
The Untitled Folder Wallet is made up of two pockets of vegan leather sewn together, giving you more flexibility than a single pocket. Each pocket can hold about 6 credit cards tightly, but I have a total of 7 cards split between the 2 pockets.
It’s not meant to be a Costanza wallet.
The light blue color makes it distinctive compared to the standard black and brown wallets that makes it easy to find. Using it in the winter and summer months, when it is cold out or when I am sweating like crazy, the two-tone blue colors have not faded and the vegan leather has not “cracked” in any way. The only thing noticeable is along the edges, where you do see a thin line of discoloration that is normal with regular use. It is more noticeable on the front lighter blue pocket due to it being a lighter color. There is also a minor blemish in the back, but nothing serious.
This is a high quality product, and none of the seams or stitching has loosened or torn. I thought initially that it would loosen pretty easily, but it has held up 100%. Since the two pockets are sewn together, the only cleaning that you would have to do occasionally is to spread the pockets apart where they meet at the seam, and blow the lint away that accumulates between them. It isn’t noticeable though unless you go looking for it.
I have a simple wallet profile, and the only card I ever have to take out of my wallet would be my Costco card. Sometimes I need to take out my medical insurance card, but thankfully that is not a common occurrence. I only have one debit card, so I can easily just tap my whole wallet to pay wirelessly since there is no risk of another card being used. It is easier than taking my iPhone out of my pocket to pay since it’s much lighter and I don’t have to worry about dropping my phone. My driver’s license is also rarely used since I don’t drink alcohol, don’t go clubbing, and I try not to buy too much Sudafed. Speeding tickets are still a problem for me sometimes..
As a Mac fanboy and just having the desire to have something more unique, this wallet definitely fits the bill (pun intended). It was $59 when I purchased it, but now it retails for $69. It would be a good gift for the Mac lover in your life who likes to have a minimal wallet, but if you’re a practical person and want individual card slots for each card so you can easily grab the right card at a moments notice, then look somewhere else.
5 immediate changes you will love with iOS 18 coming this Fall
I have been playing around with the iOS 18 public betas for a while now, and without really trying to find every new feature, here are the top 5 features I have appreciated the most, and I think you will love as well:
I have been playing around with the iOS 18 public betas for a while now, and without really trying to find every new feature, here are the top 5 features I have appreciated the most, and I think you will love as well:
Require Face ID to open an app
This is a huge feature since it allows you to hand your phone over to others (like my kids) without them getting access to sensitive apps like social media, YouTube, etc. All you have to do is long press on an app, and select the “require FaceID” option, your face is scanned, and now the app will always require a FaceID scan (or password). Simple as that.
Require Face ID: A simple yet effective security measure.
2. Move app icons anywhere on screen
Yes, we know, Android has had this feature for more than a decade, but it’s finally here for iOS. It still acts weird when you try to move your icons anywhere you want and iOS tries to shift your other icons around, but I’m sure the bugs will be fixed before its September release. Now you can have a picture of your kids on your home screen and arrange your icons in a way so that you can still see their faces.
Your lovely wallpapers of your family now don’t have to be blocked by annoying icons (cat lady edition).
3. Call screen now avoids accidental butt dialing
This was a huge one, and avoids awkward situations where you accidentally tapped someone on your recently called list and have to awkwardly end the phone call. Clicking on the recent call entry now takes you to the call details screen instead of automatically calling them back, and in order to call back, you simply hit the phone icon at the far right.
A simple call button on the side makes a big difference in avoiding accidental dial backs.
4. T9 dialer to search contacts
Ah yes, the good ol’ T9 dialer to search contacts. This was a feature I used daily before I joined the Apple ecosystem, and now we finally have it back on the iPhone. If you are in your 40s like I am, you know what this is all about.
Dial any part of a name or number, and you'll find what you need instantly.
5. The Passwords app
This is by far the most noticeable one since the icon will be slapped right on your homescreen. This is a huge deal for me and probably for most of us since we have tons of passwords, and it is no longer buried in the settings app. If you don’t already have a Password manager, then odds are you use the same password for many services, which is going to bite you hard.
You can't miss the new passwords app since it will be on your homescreen the minute you install iOS 18.
Banning phones from schools: Is it possible?
Ben Lovejoy from 9To5Mac:
“More schools are banning students from using smartphones in classes, with calls for a federal ban rather than the current mix of state laws. Apple’s home state of California is expected to be the next state to introduce a ban.
Orlando has so far taken the toughest line, banning smartphone use during the entire day, and blocking access to social media networks on the school wifi …
Worldwide, around one in four countries has implemented bans or restrictions on the use of smartphones in schools. A 9to5Mac poll conducted a year ago found strong support for the same happening in the US, with 73% in favor and only 21% opposed.
The three arguments made for such bans are:
1. Improves learning outcomes
2. Reduces classroom disruption
3. Protects children from cyberbullying
Within the US, four states have already implemented bans, or are in the process of doing so: Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, and South Carolina.”
A federal ban would be the best option since it would be one blanket law rather than a hodgepodge of different laws. Realistically though, we will probably see a few case studies of success in a few schools across the nation.
It will be a slow process, but implementation is the real challenge.
Continuing further:
“A survey conducted by the National Parents Union revealed that 70% are in favor of a ban, though the majority think this should be restricted to class times, with students allowed to use phones at lunchtime and during official breaks.”
Giving them access during lunch hours doesn’t solve the issue because that is supposed to be a time for ACTUAL socializing with one another, but it will end up being a bunch of people on their phones trying to get the latest FOMO itch scratched. Maybe not through social media, but through games, texting, and the list goes on.
Another question, will a simple VPN app remove these protections from getting social media access on school wifi?
Ben Lovejoy from 9To5Mac:
More schools are banning students from using smartphones in classes, with calls for a federal ban rather than the current mix of state laws. Apple’s home state of California is expected to be the next state to introduce a ban.
Orlando has so far taken the toughest line, banning smartphone use during the entire day, and blocking access to social media networks on the school wifi …
Worldwide, around one in four countries has implemented bans or restrictions on the use of smartphones in schools. A 9to5Mac poll conducted a year ago found strong support for the same happening in the US, with 73% in favor and only 21% opposed.
The three arguments made for such bans are:
1. Improves learning outcomes
2. Reduces classroom disruption
3. Protects children from cyberbullying
Within the US, four states have already implemented bans, or are in the process of doing so: Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
A federal ban would be the best option since it would be one blanket law rather than a hodgepodge of different laws. Realistically though, we will probably see a few case studies of success in a few schools across the nation.
It will be a slow process, but implementation is the real challenge.
Continuing further:
A survey conducted by the National Parents Union revealed that 70% are in favor of a ban, though the majority think this should be restricted to class times, with students allowed to use phones at lunchtime and during official breaks.
Giving them access during lunch hours doesn’t solve the issue because that is supposed to be a time for ACTUAL socializing with one another, but it will end up being a bunch of people on their phones trying to get the latest FOMO itch scratched. Maybe not through social media, but through games, texting, and the list goes on.
Another question, will a simple VPN app remove these protections from getting social media access on school wifi?
The Kids Online Safety Act is pointless.
Lauren Reiner from The Verge:
The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (also known as COPPA 2.0), the first major internet bills meant to protect children to reach that milestone in two decades. A legislative vehicle that included both KOSA and COPPA 2.0 passed 91–3.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called it “a momentous day” in a speech ahead of the vote, saying that “the Senate keeps its promise to every parent who’s lost a child because of the risks of social media.” He called for the House to pass the bills “as soon as they can.
How does this bill work exactly?
The bill works by creating a duty of care for online platforms that are used by minors, requiring they take “reasonable” measures in how they design their products to mitigate a list of harms, including online bullying, sexual exploitation, drug promotion, and eating disorders. It specifies that the bill doesn’t prevent platforms from letting minors search for any specific content or providing resources to mitigate any of the listed harms, “including evidence-informed information and clinical resources.”
Creating a “duty of care” and taking “reasonable” measure are such vague terms that this Act is merely just that…
an act.
The real problem isn’t trying to regulate social media and the internet for kids. The real problem is the absence of parenting. There are plenty of teachers who would love for phones to be banned during school hours, but that solution would not be pleasing to the tech giants.
Lauren Reiner from The Verge:
The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (also known as COPPA 2.0), the first major internet bills meant to protect children to reach that milestone in two decades. A legislative vehicle that included both KOSA and COPPA 2.0 passed 91–3.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called it “a momentous day” in a speech ahead of the vote, saying that “the Senate keeps its promise to every parent who’s lost a child because of the risks of social media.” He called for the House to pass the bills “as soon as they can.
How does this bill work exactly?
The bill works by creating a duty of care for online platforms that are used by minors, requiring they take “reasonable” measures in how they design their products to mitigate a list of harms, including online bullying, sexual exploitation, drug promotion, and eating disorders. It specifies that the bill doesn’t prevent platforms from letting minors search for any specific content or providing resources to mitigate any of the listed harms, “including evidence-informed information and clinical resources.”
Creating a “duty of care” and taking “reasonable” measure are such vague terms that this Act is merely just that…
an act.
The real problem isn’t trying to regulate social media and the internet for kids. The real problem is the absence of parenting. There are plenty of teachers who would love for phones to be banned during school hours, but that solution would not be pleasing to the tech giants.
Ferrari Exec Thwarts a Scammer
Nico DeMattia from TheDrive:
“According to Bloomberg, the scammer reached out to a Ferrari exec through WhatsApp pretending to be Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. The scammer reportedly asked “Hey, did you hear about the big acquisition we’re planning? I could need your help.” While the WhatsApp number and photo were different than the real Vigna’s, the exec seemingly kept the conversation going, as the messages continued.
The scammer kicked things up a notch when they called the exec, using AI deepfake technology to mimic Vigna’s voice and even his southern Italian accent. According to the Ferrari exec, the deepfake accent was nearly perfect. However, the exec couldn’t shake the feeling that something fishy was going on, so they told the scammer that they needed to verify the caller’s identity. To do this, they asked what book Vigna recently recommended to them. The title was “Decalogue of Complexity: Acting, Learning and Adapting in the Incessant Becoming of the World” by Alberto Felice De Toni. Of course, the scammer didn’t know that—so they promptly hung up.”
That exec that was targeted did everything right.
1. He noticed the phone number was different.
2. He wanted to speak to the CEO to make sure it was from him.
3. The Deepfake sounded convincing but still the exec was not fully convinced, so he asked the deepfake a question that only the real CEO would know, which made the scammer hang up.
Nico DeMattia from TheDrive:
According to Bloomberg, the scammer reached out to a Ferrari exec through WhatsApp pretending to be Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. The scammer reportedly asked “Hey, did you hear about the big acquisition we’re planning? I could need your help.” While the WhatsApp number and photo were different than the real Vigna’s, the exec seemingly kept the conversation going, as the messages continued.
The scammer kicked things up a notch when they called the exec, using AI deepfake technology to mimic Vigna’s voice and even his southern Italian accent. According to the Ferrari exec, the deepfake accent was nearly perfect. However, the exec couldn’t shake the feeling that something fishy was going on, so they told the scammer that they needed to verify the caller’s identity. To do this, they asked what book Vigna recently recommended to them. The title was “Decalogue of Complexity: Acting, Learning and Adapting in the Incessant Becoming of the World” by Alberto Felice De Toni. Of course, the scammer didn’t know that—so they promptly hung up.
That exec that was targeted did everything right.
1. He noticed the phone number was different.
2. He wanted to speak to the CEO to make sure it was from him.
3. The Deepfake sounded convincing but still the exec was not fully convinced, so he asked the deepfake a question that only the real CEO would know, which made the scammer hang up.