Among the nearly 40 Apple patents granted today by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are ones covering multi-touch technology, as well as designs for the iPhone 5 and the Lightning connector. The widest-ranging group of patents involves the multi-touch technology for the iPhone 5 and latest iPads and iPods.
Meanwhile, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Design, Jonathan Ive, is given lead credit for designing the iPhone 5… Read More
Yesterday we talked a little bit about a new feature (or rather, developer API) in iOS 7 that offers support for MFi (Made for iPhone) certified hardware game controllers. This will be the first time that Apple has officially supported third party gamepads.
Today a few more details have surfaced about Apple’s plans regarding these controllers. A new report is out this afternoon claiming that the Cupertino company is working with the likes of Logitech and MOGA to produce a new line of iOS gaming peripherals… Read More
This is kind of interesting. Halfway through his opening remarks, Tim Cook called up the folks behind a new robotics company called Anki up to the stage to show off an innovative new iOS accessory called AnkiDrive.
Essentially, they are tiny, artificially-controlled race cars. You can choose to play against your friends, or take your chances against the AI. The promise here is that AnkiDrive will ”take iOS gaming to a whole new level.” Read More
I can’t believe it’s already June. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the possibility of an April iPad event, and now we’re less than a week away from WWDC, and two months away from WWJC.
This year’s World Wide Jailbreak Conference will be a 2-day affair, hosted at the Raddison Hotel in New Rochelle, New York. And whether you plan on attending or not, you can show off your jailbreak spirit with these Limited Edition WWJC 2013 iCarbons skins… Read More
Determined to provide renewable power for all USB powered devices, SolePower transfers walking energy to a wearable storage unit for on-demand charging. While away from AC outlets, charging becomes increasingly difficult, even when toting around large solar panels. Similarly, battery backup cases only provide a specific amount of renewed life for a smartphone. The team of young engineers with SolePower insists on carrying a charging station all the time, in a shoe!
Walking motion capacitors are not new to the gadget scene, but an interchangeable sole is the new attraction. Adding SolePower is simple, just pull out the existing shoe insert and replace with a new iPhone charging version. Once the conversion is complete, walk between 2.5 and 5 miles to fully charge an iPhone… Read More
Accessory maker Logitech today announced that it is acquiring TT Design Labs, the accessory maker behind the TidyTilt Kickstarter project.
This iPhone smart cover incorporates magnetic earbud holder and kickstand and has raised north of $200,000 on Kickstarter.
The acquisition gives the two-person startup access to Logitech’s “expert engineering, supply chain, distribution, and marketing minds.” As part of the collaboration, the company has just started accepting pre-orders for the TidyTilt and JustMount, now marketed under the Logitech brand… Read More
Apple reportedly has filed in Russia to trademark ‘iWatch’, the supposed name of the rumored wearable computing device. However, some in the tech media are skeptical, suggesting the report in a Russian newspaper follows none of Apple’s usual steps preceding a product launch, such as in the case of the iPad.
The newspaper Izvestia this week reported Apple filed for the trademark under the 9th and 14th classes of the International Classification of Goods and Services. The report asserts Apple could face competition from similar local products. However, one Apple blogs has failed to find the trademark registered with the official Russian Federal Services for Intellectual Property… Read More
Those of you whose mobile collection includes newer Apple products, older Apple products, and an Android phone or tablet may want to check out this 3-in-1 universal USB charging cable from Stack Social.
The cable has the ability to charge up to 3 devices simultaneously, and supports virtually any mobile device that has a Lightning, 30-pin or micro USB port. And right now, the deal site is offering it at 67% off… Read More
Those in the market for an interesting new iPhone accessory might want to check out this new flexible universal mobile mount, otherwise known as the FUMM. The odd-looking gadget can transform itself into a mount, stand, or dock for your iPhone.
It’s able to pull this off thanks to three durable, metal flex tubes and two plastic pads lined with special ‘nano suction pads.’ The patent-pending technology enables to mount on almost any surface and withstand more than 10 pounds of pull force… Read More
Belkin, a California-based maker of consumer electronics and accessories, today announced its first entry into the iPhone 5 battery case space with the Grip Power. Similar to Mophie’s popular Juice Pack line, the Grip Power is a case that has a built-in backup battery.
The Grip’s power block is of the 2000mAh variety, which Belkin says is good enough to double the battery life of your late-model iPhone. And with its shock-resistant outer shell and anti-glare camera ring, it makes for a decent case in terms of protection as well… Read More
Satechi just released a new USB 3.0 hub for the Mac enthusiasts. Long have we waited for a quality USB port extender that would match the design and look of the brushed aluminum. The new 7 port hub is smooth and compact, offering ample high speed connections for your various devices. As a powered unit, it offers up to 5Gbps over the 3.0 connection and comes in either black or white options… Read More
Bumper style cases are typically made with a silicone or TPU material. These rigid, yet jelly like materials are suitable for minor bumps and bruises but may not be so helpful for the rugged user. The RAILkase p5 by Scosche is a new case that combines bumper functionality with the protective framing of aluminum, and it just brought home a CES 2013 Design and Engineering award.
It is difficult to find metal bumper cases simply because of the nature of the bumper. A bumper case runs the rim of an iPhone, only providing protection on the sides and corners of your device. Thanks to the creative team at Scosche, the RAILkase utilizes a hinge and locking system to provide a nonbendable bumper option… Read More
Well known designer and Chief Creative Officer of Jawbone, Yves Behar, gave the world a preview of his next big venture last night. It’s called ‘August,’ and it’s an iPhone-connected digital lock system that promises to change the way we open doors.
Now, Internet-enabled smart locks aren’t anything new. But what the August brings to the table is a sleek design—which was fashioned by Behar (who designed the Jambox, Up)—and superior functionality. Think of it as the Nest for door locks… Read More
Look out Square and Paypal, Payleven has inked a major deal with Apple to sell its mobile payment solution. The Rocket Internet-backed startup is now selling its Chip & PIN at a number of the company’s retail and online stores.
Payleven says it has been talking to Apple about a global distribution deal for several months now, and the two sides only recently reached an agreement. Apparently the company is as protective of its retail stores as it is its App Store… Read More
The behavior of the iPhone’s Mute switch has long been a topic of debate. While switching it off will silence most of the handset’s sounds, it won’t keep alarms and other system functions quiet, which as you can imagine can make for some embarrassing moments.
And that’s where the Mutator comes in. The tiny accessory fits in your iPhone’s headphone jack, and promises to ease your mind when in meetings, movie theaters and other ‘please silence your cell phone’ situations by ensuring your handset won’t make a sound… Read More
In the world of iPhone photography accessories, there’s perhaps no better known name than Olloclip. The 3-in-1 clip-on lens started out as just a Kickstarter project, but it has since become a mainstay in Apple Stores and shutterbug bags alike.
Fans of the Olloclip will be happy to hear that the team released a new iPhone app this weekend, also named Olloclip, designed to work with the popular accessory. The app features a mesh editor, useful modes like Video and Macro, and more… Read More
Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. aka Foxconn, the world’s top assembler of consumer electronics, is mulling making and selling its own branded accessories in a move to diversify beyond assembling Apple products.
Foxconn over the years has grown increasingly reliant on Apple contract and with increasing competition and Apple’s slowing growth, the manufacturer is starting to feel the pain, too. The Apple biz comprises an estimated 50 percent of Foxconn’s revenue, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
And earlier this month, The New York Times similarly reported that Foxconn is looking beyond the iPhone and anticipating to mass-manufacture a rumored standalone Apple television set… Read More
Every year, ZAGG has a huge memorial day sale. This year’s sale goes all day today and tomorrow and everything in the store is discounted. All keyboards are marked down by 20 percent. While everything else will be on sale for 50 percent off.
That includes all invisibleSHIELD screen protectors for the iPad, iPad mini, iPod touch, and iPhone. As well as protectors for a huge selection of Android and Windows 8 phones. Read More
Apple was really proud to unveil its new and improved earbuds, dubbed EarPods, last fall. The company says it spent more than three years designing the headset, and tested a total of 124 different prototypes on over six hundred people, to get the right fit.
But even with all of that research, it’s inevitable that the EarPods are still not going to fit quite right for some people. And if you happen to be one of those people, you might want to check out these new EarSkinz covers, which promise to fix that for you… Read More
Folks in search of a fun new iPad accessory, or an early Father’s Day/graduation present, should check out this sweet little deal going on over Stack Social. The deal site has the Smarter Stand clips for iPad on sale right now for under $15.
As you may recall, we mentioned the Smarter Stand in passing last fall when the Kickstarter project went viral and exceeded its funding goal by nearly $150,000. Backers were enamored with the product, and now you can be too, at a nice discount… Read More
