Accessories

Speck’s Presidio cases offer scratch and drop protection for your new MacBook Pro

Apart from the colorful array of iPhone case offerings Speck is known for, they’re also fabled for their popular transparent MacBook Pro cases, which are built to prevent scuffing across your computer’s metallic surface while you travel with it.

Speck is now announcing a new breed of Presidio-based transparent cases for the all-new 2016 MacBook Pro at CES 2017, which for the first time, brings as much as four feet of drop protection to Apple’s premium notebook computers thanks to the company's patented Impactium material.

OtterBox expands uniVERSE system to iPad Air 2 & 9.7-inch iPad Pro, adds new partners

OtterBox’s popular uniVERSE modular case system for the iPhone 6 and later will soon be expanding to the iPad. The company has announced its plans to launch a new case soon for the iPad Air 2 and 9.7-inch iPad Pro specifically, along with a number of new accessories to complement them.

All uniVERSE case systems are designed so you can add or remove compatible accessories to your device, such as camera lenses, external batteries, and tripods among other kinds of things thanks to special adapters built into the back of the case.

Incipio’s OX case lets you charge your iPhone 7 and listen to music simultaneously

Among the many things being unveiled at CES 2017, accessory maker Incipio has just unveiled a new case for both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus called OX that has a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack in addition to a Lightning port.

The case intends to do away with the convoluted process of charging your device and listening to music at the same time even when you don’t have a pair of expensive wireless headphones to solve this problem for you.

How to mute progress updates from your friends and hide your own data in Activity sharing

Apple Watch Activity teaser

Activity sharing is a tried and tested way to boost your app engagement by pitting your own fitness data against others that are willing to share theirs. Fitbit and Nike knew for a while of the extra motivation released when someone else monitors your activity, Apple knows full well since iOS 10 and watchOS 3. Agreeing to share and relay your activity on Apple Watch can hence be an inspirational thing, but it also results in a considerable increase of wrist-buzzing every day.

If you have committed to sharing your activity and your patience with the daily activity updates from your friend is starting to wear thin, remember that there is an option to mute those notifications. The tutorial also demonstrates how to hide your own activity from that friend, in case you don’t want them to know about your newest calories crushing workout just yet.

Twelve South’s new ActionSleeve for Apple Watch is designed for the active lifestyle

Twelve South has removed the veil from the all-new ActionSleeve accessory for Apple Watch, which is an armband accessory tailored specifically for the active lifestyle. It's made to work with all sizes of arms and works with both the 38mm and 42mm variants of the smart watch.

ActionSleeve is intended to provide those who participate in more rigorous sporting activities a more secure way to wear the Apple Watch when the stock wrist location isn’t ideal, and it does so in a complementary way without sacrificing any of the Apple Watch's functionality.

Twelve South’s BookBook and Journal leather wallet cases are both classy and unique

Just a couple of weeks ago, Twelve South announced the launch of two new cases for Apple’s latest handsets, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. One is an updated model of the popular BookBook case, which Twelve South is well-known for, while the other is a completely new case known as the Journal.

Both cases are crafted out of high-quality leather and include built-in wallets that let you store a number of credit cards, IDs, and cash. We’ll give you a hands-on look at both of them in this review.

The best VR apps and games available on the App Store right now

For years, techy gifts have been on an unstoppable rise and these holidays more than ever, new VR headsets of all kinds were added to the mix. If you are one of the lucky receivers of a Cardboard or any other generic pair of VR goggles compatible with your iPhone, your first address to go for VR-ready apps should of course be the App Store.

To help you get on top the bulk of apps available and break the tedious ‘download, try and delete’ chain, we have been weeding through the vast app-scape and given VR-ready apps a hard look. If you want to put your new toys to good use, here is a list of some of the best VR games and apps we believe you will want to embark on first.

Ugreen’s Magnetic Charger for Apple Watch is slim enough to keep in your pocket

Most people experience all-day battery life with the Apple Watch, whether it’s the single core first generation model, or the dual core Series 1 or 2 versions that were launched just this year. While this is true for most people who use their Apple Watch regularly, new apps like Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch threaten to deplete your Apple Watch’s tiny battery much faster.

With that being the case, investing in some kind of portable power pack made specifically for the Apple Watch, like the Ugreen Magnetic Charger, is a good idea.

Nomad’s Rugged iPhone case makes plastic look classy

The new Nomad Rugged case has been my daily driver case for close to a month now, and having had the opportunity to go hands-on with it for that long, I have to say I think I’ll probably continue using it for a while longer.

Built into this incredibly thin, yet protective design is a case that can withstand your everyday clumsiness and still look good while doing it. Nomad’s design team has created a TPU-based case that actually looks good that can still take a hit and save your iPhone.

The NomadPlus turns your iPhone power adapter into a portable battery

For everyday charging of your iPhone, the supplied power adapter that comes in your Apple retail packaging will suffice, but if you go places a lot, then having an AC adapter that can not only charge your iPhone, but also store power for charging when away from the plug is a must.

Nomad comes the rescue in this department with an ingenious idea; a special type of AC adapter known as the NomadPlus that includes a built-in 1,800 mAh battery inside.

Pokémon GO launches on Apple Watch with Activity and Workout integration

To all of those who have been waiting to play Pokémon GO on the Apple Watch since the game developers teased it at Apple’s September keynote event, you can finally stop holding your breath because it’s now available.

Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch comes in an update (version 1.21.2) to the existing iPhone app from the App Store, so after installing it, you’ll be able to add it to your Apple Watch just like you would with any watch app you’re already using.